With the rise of AI, getting a job shouldn’t rely on a uni degree

The likes of ChatGPT and other generative AI is changing the workplace more rapidly than anyone could have imagined. Consequently, industry-focused knowledge and traditional credentials are becoming less valued by organisations compared to the soft skills candidates possess like critical thinking and problem-solving.

The World Economic Forum estimates a staggering 44 per cent of workers’ core skills are expected to change in the next five years. Unsurprisingly, the burden of this change is expected to fall on entry-level roles where the simpler nature of work is amenable to AI automation.

The likes of ChatGPT and other generative AI is changing the workplace more rapidly than anyone could have imagined.Credit: Adobe

Over the next few years the capability requirements of entry-level roles may look a lot more like a current mid-level role. A post-education, capability gap is opening, and as it stands, we’re unable to bridge it.

A great example is that of a new lawyer who traditionally spends several years conducting precedent research work before taking on actual cases. While this task is vital for new lawyers to develop their legal skills and understand the law, it is something that generative AI technology can efficiently replace.

The economics of using AI to automate this work will be inescapably compelling for business owners, but it will ultimately eliminate a critical on-the-job education opportunity.

Historically, industry’s need for higher capability levels has been addressed by the education system. A tertiary education is the signal to employers that an individual has the knowledge and critical thinking abilities needed for a role. Therefore, a likely, but unexpected outcome of the generative AI revolution will be increased time and financial investment in education, leading to a heightened risk when choosing a career path.

So, what can be done? If the purpose of a degree is to absorb domain-specific knowledge and learn how to think critically in the application of that knowledge to solve problems, then we may need to recognise that the knowledge aspect is no longer as valuable.

Acknowledging that AI is currently, and for the foreseeable future, nothing without the guidance of a critical thinking human, we need to focus more on teaching critical thinking education. What the modern jobseeker must know to be successful in a role is how to extract knowledge from generative AI, so they can use it with their critical thinking skills to solve problems.

Additionally, employers must stop relying on university degrees and other traditional credentials as the sole signals of capability. The completion of a degree implies critical thinking capabilities but doesn’t necessarily prove them. Skill-based hiring and aptitude testing are much more accurate approaches to assessing concrete skills and critical thinking.

However, if employers are unwilling to reduce their reliance on degrees, then we should at least reduce the risk placed on individuals when making career choices. Technology solutions that align an individual’s personality and aptitude with suitable career paths can be instrumental in supporting this decision.

By mapping a person’s unique characteristics to in-demand digital skills, these solutions can provide clarity and direction, effectively reducing the risk of committing to long and expensive education pathways.

Paul Wahltuch is a senior vice president of product & engineering at WithYouWithMe, a social impact employment software company.

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