The Career Expert with Sarah Louise: Does a degree still matter?

In today’s ever-shifting job market, one question pops up again and again: does a degree still matter?

As someone who spends every day speaking with jobseekers, employers, and businesses through Impulse Recruitment and as a woman who built her own career from the ground up my answer is simple: yes but not in the way it used to.

It is 2025, a very different time for all of us

Once upon a time, a degree was the golden ticket.

It opened doors, guaranteed interviews, and acted as a symbol of credibility.

But the world of work has changed dramatically. Employers today value something far deeper: skills, personality, resilience, and attitude.

In fact, I’ve seen countless candidates without traditional degrees outperform those with them because they bring hunger, adaptability, and real-world experience.

That is what you can bring too.

That doesn’t mean degrees are irrelevant.

For certain professions healthcare, engineering, law they’re still essential.

A structured education builds discipline, critical thinking, and confidence. But for many roles, from sales to marketing to recruitment to tech, employers are far more interested in what you can do rather than what’s printed on your certificate.

What really moves the needle now is this: continuous learning.

Whether you study at a university, complete an online course, take on a coach, or learn on the job, growth is what sets you apart.

The most successful people I meet share a common trait they never stop developing themselves.

So, does a degree still matter?

It can. But it’s not the sole measure of your worth or ability.

If you’re willing to work hard, stay curious, and invest in yourself, you can carve out an extraordinary career degree or no degree.

Your story is still being written, and you’re the one holding the pen.