Your education is not useless. Your journey matters!

 

Many times online, I’ve come across a narrative that honestly doesn’t sit well with me. It’s the growing trend of dismissing university degrees, calling them “useless,” or implying that anyone who went through the academic journey somehow made the wrong choice. I want to say this clearly and gently: do not let anyone reduce the value of your education. You spent four years or even more working hard, showing up for classes, writing exams, conducting research, surviving stress, and pushing yourself through seasons that many people will never understand. That journey is not useless. It is meaningful, it is valid, and it deserves respect.

There is a certain confidence that people on the internet have gained these days, especially when speaking down on formal education. They argue that degrees are unnecessary, that “school is a scam,” or that success comes only from entrepreneurship or luck. While it’s true that the world is changing and that there are many paths to success, it does not erase the reality that education still matters. A degree is not merely a certificate; it is a symbol of discipline, resilience, critical thinking, and the ability to commit to long-term goals. Those are qualities that no one can take away from you.

The truth is, not all degrees lead to instant employment. The job market can be slow, opportunities can be scarce, and sometimes life takes unexpected turns. But that does not make your degree worthless. It simply means that your journey is taking a different route. The value of education isn’t measured only by how quickly you secure a job—it’s also in how it transforms your thinking, expands your worldview, and strengthens your problem-solving abilities. Even when the economy is unpredictable, those intellectual tools remain deeply relevant.

To anyone who is job hunting right now, I want you to know: you are not alone. So many brilliant, qualified, hardworking graduates are searching, applying, getting rejection emails, updating CVs, and trying again and again. It is draining. It is discouraging. It can make you question yourself, your worth, even your decision to study in the first place. But hear me clearly, there is nothing wrong with you. The problem is the system, not your degree, and definitely not your intelligence or your effort.

Do not allow social media philosophers to convince you that your education was a mistake. Many of the loudest voices dismissing degrees are speaking from a place of privilege, hindsight, or exaggeration. Others simply want attention. But you who went through the real process know the truth of your journey. You know the sleepless nights, the group projects, the deadlines, the sacrifices your family made, and the determination that carried you to graduation day. That is something to be proud of, not ashamed of.

Your degree may not have turned into a job yet, but it is still a foundation. It is still a stepping stone. It is still part of who you are, and it will still open doors maybe not today, but soon. Life doesn’t move at the same pace for everyone, and that’s okay. Your path is valid. Your timing is valid. Keep applying, keep learning, keep refining your skills, and most importantly, keep believing in yourself.

To every graduate who is feeling discouraged, I’m sending warm hugs your way. I pray that opportunities open for you, that breakthrough moments come unexpectedly, and that you find work that aligns with your talents and your dreams. May all your effort make sense soon. May it all come together. And may you never forget: your degree is not useless. Your journey matters. And so do you.