By Brighton Mwanza
For many years, people have believed that going to school and earning a degree is the key to a secure future. Zambian students have followed this advice faithfully, often without questioning it. However, that path is no longer as certain as it once was.
Every year, thousands of graduates leave universities across Zambia with degrees in hand, only to struggle to find meaningful employment.
This does not mean that their qualifications are worthless. Rather, it reflects a changing world in which a degree alone is no longer enough to guarantee success.
The modern workplace has evolved rapidly, while many education systems have struggled to keep pace. Today, employers are not simply looking for people with certificates.
They want individuals who can solve problems, communicate effectively, work well with others, and adapt to changing circumstances.
More importantly, they want people who can apply knowledge in practical situations, not just demonstrate it in an examination room.
This has created a growing gap between what students learn in school and what they need to thrive in the workplace. A student may spend four years studying, pass every examination, and graduate with excellent grades, yet still feel unprepared for the realities of professional life.
Tasks such as writing professional emails, collaborating in teams, managing time effectively, and thinking independently can become unexpected challenges.
At the same time, many young people in Zambia who do not hold university degrees are building successful careers by developing practical skills.
They are learning areas such as digital marketing, graphic design, programming, and entrepreneurship. Through online learning platforms, self-study, and hands-on experience, they are creating opportunities for themselves in ways that were less common in the past.
This shift raises an important question: What is education really preparing students for?
The answer should not be a choice between degrees and skills. Zambia does not need to decide whether one is more important than the other.
Instead, students need both. A degree provides knowledge, structure, and credibility, while practical skills improve a person’s ability to apply that knowledge effectively.
Universities and colleges remain vital institutions. However, they must become more closely connected to the realities of the modern economy.
Expanding internships, promoting project-based learning, and strengthening partnerships with industry can help students graduate with practical experience alongside academic knowledge.
At the same time, students themselves must take greater responsibility for their learning. Relying solely on classroom instruction is no longer enough.
Developing additional skills alongside a degree can significantly improve career prospects. This may include strengthening communication abilities, learning digital tools, or taking online courses in areas of personal interest.
Even seemingly small skills can make a major difference. A business student who becomes proficient in Excel, or a communications student who understands social media strategy, can gain a competitive advantage in the job market. These are the kinds of abilities that employers increasingly notice and value.
There is also an important shift in mindset that must occur. Success is no longer a straightforward journey from school to employment.
More often, it involves continuous learning, experimentation, setbacks, and growth. Students need to be prepared for this reality rather than discouraged by it.
This does not mean that the education system has failed. Instead, it means that education itself is changing. Zambia possesses enormous potential, driven by a generation of young people who are creative, ambitious, and eager to learn.
To fully unlock this potential, education must go beyond helping students pass examinations. It must equip them to think critically, adapt to change, and take initiative.
In today’s world, success is determined not simply by what you know, but by what you are able to do with what you know.
That is what truly matters.
