“Are a person’s academic qualifications or abilities more important?” This question has sparked extensive debate, with compelling arguments from both sides regarding career choices.
Proponents of the importance of academic qualifications argue that they are helpful during job interviews, as individuals with strong academic backgrounds tend to be more self-disciplined.
But is this assumption accurate? While educational credentials can indicate a basic level of knowledge, they fall short in assessing psychological attributes, desire to learn, and stress resilience.
Ping-Cheng Yeh, an Electrical Engineering professor at the National Taiwan University, believes grades and school rankings are only temporary labels. After meeting many successful people outside of academia, he found that many did not graduate from prestigious schools. There were, however, six common traits among these accomplished individuals. Thus, Professor Yeh believes that if young people can adhere to these six principles, they will have a greater chance of having a successful career before reaching their 30s.
After earning his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and an M.S. degree from National Taiwan University, Professor Yeh returned to Taiwan to teach at his alma mater. Therefore, his remarks raised questions from many people. Given his impressive credentials, how can he claim that an educational background is unimportant?
Professor Yeh emphasizes that abilities are more crucial than knowledge. The skills to connect with like-minded individuals, effectively market oneself, make a lasting impression, and secure necessary resources are invaluable. However, he criticizes the current education system for failing to motivate children to learn, instead, perpetuating the notion that academic achievement is a ticket to professional success.
Career progress relies on individual abilities
This kind of notion is inaccurate because our world is changing rapidly. Professor Yeh said that when he was studying for his doctorate degree, everyone envied those whom Nokia hired. But in just a few years, Nokia declined rapidly and was replaced by its competitors. Although educational qualifications may help graduates get their first jobs, subsequent career progress relies heavily on individual abilities.
Despite his academic excellence, Professor Yeh acknowledged his reluctance to leave his comfort zone while in the United States. His fear of failure, driven by an overemphasis on qualifications, contrasted with doctoral peers who immersed themselves in research topics they were passionate about, unconcerned with grades. They valued learning above all.
It wasn’t until nearly the age of 40, after leaving the National Taiwan University campus, that Professor Yeh encountered many remarkable individuals, prompting him to step out of his comfort zone and recognize his deficiencies. He admires those who have forged successful careers without prestigious degrees, noting their resilience and drive often surpass those with notable academic backgrounds.
To young people embarking on their careers, Professor Yeh offers the following advice:
- Be passionate about what you do
- Strive for excellence
- Be conscientious and responsible
- Be willing to help others
- Be curious about new things
- Have the courage to try and not be afraid of failure
By adhering to these six principles, young individuals can significantly enhance their chances of career success before the age of 30, regardless of their age or inexperience. However, an overreliance on educational achievements may limit one’s potential achievements.
Translated by Elaine
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