The Great Graduation Celebration: Why We Party for Degrees but Not First Jobs or Startups

Graduation season is approaching! Isn't it curious how we throw huge parties for graduation but hardly react when someone lands their first job or starts a business? We don funny hats, toss them in the air like we're in a slow motion movie scene, and pose for endless photos. Meanwhile, our first job or business venture usually gets a casual “Congrats!” on LinkedIn, maybe a celebratory drink if we're lucky.

Degrees vs. Experiences: Do They Really Matter?

I have three degrees, all proudly displayed and gathering dust at Job Bank in the Research and Development Room! They provided a solid foundation and some fascinating knowledge and research and development skills. But in reality, it’s my experiences that have truly propelled me forward. All three degrees—BA (Hons), PGCE, MA (Arts)—were possibly the easiest parts of my career! Degrees are like the scaffolding for a building: somewhat essential in some careers but not the whole structure. They give you a basic platform to stand on, but it's what you build on top of that platform that really counts. You can also build that platform solely via experiences, and it might even be stronger!

In some professions, degrees are non-negotiable. You wouldn’t want a self-taught heart surgeon, would you? Surely, the first successful heart surgery is much more important!

However, in many other fields, experience trumps education by a wide margin. Hands-on learning, problem-solving skills, and adaptability make you a valuable asset. When we recruit at Job Bank, we rarely search if they have a Degree! We solely search for what the candidates experiences are first!

The Graduation Hype

Graduation marks the end of a significant educational chapter. It’s a time for families to gather, for tearful speeches filled with platitudes, and for graduates to celebrate their hard earned achievements. And it should be celebrated! Then again, you may want to throw a party after spending a minimum of ￡27,000! Surviving years of lectures, exams, and assignments is no small feat. However, the learning does not stop! We are all lifelong learners.

But once the cap and gown are packed away, the reality of the job market sets in. The degree that felt like a golden ticket now seems like an entry pass to a very crowded club.

The First Job Non Celebration

Landing your first job is a huge deal, yet it often goes unnoticed. It was more of a relief for myself after months of searching! Maybe it feels like a natural progression, or perhaps it’s the daunting realisation that you’re now officially an adult with responsibilities. The excitement of landing a job is often tempered by the realisation that the hard work is just beginning.

Starting a business is another monumental achievement that often flies under the radar. You’ve poured your heart, soul, and probably most of your savings into making it a reality. Yet, there’s no graduation like ceremony for becoming an entrepreneur—just the everyday grind and the hope that your venture succeeds. It’s definitely been the hardest challenge of my career, especially finding Product-Market Fit in line with profitability. The first 5 years have been 6 Days a Week, 16 - 18 Hour Days! I didn't even celebrate much when I ran with the Olympic Torch!

Celebrating Relevant Experiences and Milestones

It's high time we change this narrative. Degrees are important, but so are the milestones we achieve through our experiences. Whether it’s landing a big client, successfully completing a major project, a promotion, or navigating the ups and downs of running a business, these are the moments that shape our careers. With 90% of startups failing within the first three years, surviving and making a profit is a significant milestone worth celebrating.

Experiences and reflective practice are the true teachers. They build our resilience, enhance our skills, and provide us with practical knowledge that no textbook can offer. These achievements deserve recognition and celebration.

Let’s Raise a Drink to Experiences

Imagine if we celebrated every professional milestone with the same enthusiasm as graduation. Got your first promotion? Throw a party! Launched a successful marketing campaign? Pop some champagne! (Non-alcoholic for me!). I will happily have a Tango Ice Blast! Made it through the first year of your startup? You deserve a medal!

Celebrating these milestones not only acknowledges the hard work involved but also motivates us to keep pushing forward. It reinforces the value of experiences and the lessons they teach us. But then again, do we need to put on the gown and the hat every time? I don't think so!

The Takeaway

Degrees matter, but experiences matter more. They are the real building blocks of our careers, providing us with the tools and knowledge we need to succeed. So let’s start celebrating all the achievements along the way, not just the ones that come with a certificate and a funny hat.

Here’s to the experiences that shape us, the milestones that mark our journey, and the moments that deserve a celebration. The moments that make money and make a difference in our lives and our loved ones! Cheers to the real achievements in work and business! ?? Finally, I hope you like the picture from my first degree party nearly 20 years ago!