Education Vs. Experience | The Never-Ending Debate
One debate that I’ve heard time and time again has been the issue of experience over education. Recently in the office we conducted this small debate in what appeals to a company more when looking for a web / graphic designer. When getting a full time job, or a contracted gig, does the company look more at your work experience, or your amount of education?
Personally, I leaned more towards work experience because said company is not only looking for designers who have a solid portfolio history, but have that experience of working in a fast paced environment and know how to handle a crazy multi-tasking place like a design studio. I’ve worked with a lot of fresh graduates who can do really awesome work, but taking a full day or more to do so. At the end of the day you get one really awesome mock-up / logo, but 10 more take it’s place in a high traffic design studio. Not saying this comes from all fresh graduates that are interning, but I’ve seen it a lot, and unfortunately move on due to stress.
On the flip side I’ve worked with some grads who can code up full Facebook style websites in just under 3 days, which is phenomenal by all sense of the word.
The downside of having work experience but no degree is the pay. It is very hard to convince the employer to be paid at a rate ( with appropriate research ) that seems consistent and fair with the work involved. The higher the degree you have in your field, the better chance you’ll have of getting a better rate. It’s just fact. A degree also has priority when it comes to office rank. The designer who has five years or more work experience gets a good position, but the man with the Bachelors gets title of Project Manager. Not saying this is fair or un-fair by any means, it’s just fact.
So, what has the upper hand in getting hired / staying hired, the work experience and a lengthy portfolio of work history, or the degree with a solid student portfolio? This also includes freelance contracts and gigs.
Let the debate begin!
Casey is a great young talent. His desire to learn, and determination to come up with the best solution makes him an asset to any team.� 
I believe 100% in the work experience over education.
I think knowing how to do something without school is a great thing but you will miss out on the even greater things if you’re not in school. See when your not in school but you know how to do the things other students do while in school then you are the one missing out on everything. Yes you have to pay money to learn and yes you will probably learn something you already know but you will not be able to connect with people and get ideas from others live. Sure you can ask someone on the internet but that just weakens your verbal communication skills and we all know if we want a job in the future that, skill is required. So in my opinion I think learning something on your own is the first step and actually going to school to do something about it is your second step. and finally getting a degree is your third step.
I agree with Josh about the experience over education.
I do know though that employers look at education for more than just knowledge, especially if someone doesn’t have a lot of “in-house” working experience. To them it shows dedication to your craft (which you can totally have without a degree), especially when they inundated with a lot of applications/portfolios it can serve as a deciding factor.
Though I don’t like it… the truth of the matter is that is how most employers approach it. Someone who has education in their field proposes less of a risk to them. Even though most of today’s “Design Schools” are teaching outdated techniques / information.
Another good way to approach this is to avoid just having a portfolio, and building case studies of the work you did for your clients, showing the projects purpose and how it benefited the client. It is very appealing to businesses when they see that the services you are offering have helped the client achieve more success.
~ Aaron I
@JoshCagwin Same, but Aaron makes a great point on how having a degree makes you lest risky than the guy with a portfolio and testimonials.
@AaronIrizarry That’s interesting, I didn’t know that most of today’s Design Schools teach outdated techniques, thought they would stay on top of that. Although I’m not surprised.
I like your idea of building case studies, having really good data on how your design improved the client can really open an employers eyes to how effective you are in a real world envirnment, and also shows how passionate you are to your craft.
Thanks for the comments guys!
There also ways you can build your “Expert Status’ without doing too much. For example I joined the HPRA which is the Hispanic Public Relations Association and I spoke at some of there workshops. So becoming an avid speaker in your niche should be able to get you around certain people or customers you are trying to target. Become an authority in your niche as Aaron can probably tell you after speaking at The Local Search Summit. Opportunities will present itself! You must be open to embrace them! So when it comes to
Education Vs. Experience I would suggest having a mixed blend of both. Each one represents a paddle in your boat to success and you need both to move forward in your career of choice!
Definitely agree that experience is a hulluva lot more important to most employers (in my experience) than education. I have not once been asked about my schooling. I think that those who would ask about educational experience are not actually educated themselves about graphic/web designers.
Ah, so the debate continues. I’ve recently graduated from design school and I’m with Aaron on the fact outdated techniques are taught, even at reputable institutes.
What I’ve found is that many students are now having to build almost two portfolios. One that is based on work that was completed within Education and one for ‘live’ projects. The studios are keen to see the difference in approach and how clients may have influenced an outcome in comparison to if it were completed in school.
There is often a noticeable difference!
The issue here really is that ‘design schools’ aren’t setting realistic briefs in a realistic time frame.
So experience is always going to prevail.
Matt
@MartinConchola Great point! You can easily establish yourself in your niche by representing yourself at local summits and venues. And having the more experience and education you get, the more relevant and established you look at any establishment.
Thanks for the comment Martin!
@adamvonwillis
~ Wow, I find that very interesting. Now that I recall, I don’t think I’ve ever been asked about my education when applying for a design firm, especially signing up a customer for a freelance gig.
“I think that those who would ask about educational experience are not actually educated themselves about graphic/web designers”
~ lol, great point. It kind of shows their ignorance about the field itself. Thanks for your input!
@MattRoberts
“The studios are keen to see the difference in approach and how clients may have influenced an outcome in comparison to if it were completed in school.”
~ That’s interesting. I know that dealing with a client is a unique experience in and of itself! Every client is different, and designing for their specific needs is an experience all in its own. Sometimes what you make for a client, you think is awesome and up-to-date on the current design trent, but then the client will hate it. And there are those occasions where you think what you designed is mediocre at best, and the Client will absolutely love it and only one revision will be made.
Real world experience is extremely dynamic. Like Forest Gump once stated, “Life is like a box of chocolates (clients), you never know what you’re going to get”
~ lol, thanks for your input man, much appreciated!
@MarcellPurham
~ You make a good point on how if you neglect going to school and only ask questions about your craft online, you miss out on how to connect with people in real life, neglecting important social skills. Those steps that you mention are actually what I’m following currently lol. I was first interested in design and web development, honed my skills with one on one client interaction and learned how to better my skills in a real world environment. Decided I need school to learn more about my craft, and am headed towards a degree. I feel I benefited from learning some core elements before going to school first, such as client interaction and real-world project deadlines.
~ Thanks for the comment Marcell
I think both sides make valid points.
But personally I think the college system is failing in so many ways. I have so many friends just getting out of college and can get nothing but entry level designs jobs for there lack of experience while they’ve been in school I’ve been working on my craft first hand. I’ve heard Kevin Rose talk on his hiring process for DIGG designers, he said if you can do great work and have a great portfolio I’ll hire you.
Wether you go to school or not I do believe you will be educated. In school you will be educated by your peers by your teachers and so on. And by not going to school you will have one teacher, your experience.
So what would the best education? School or Experience.
For me it has been Experience, I have hated school since kindergarten. But I do love to learn.
@NichoValadez
“In school you will be educated by your peers by your teachers and so on. And by not going to school you will have one teacher, your experience.”
~ Great point Nicho, at some point we all need some kind of support as we progress in our field, whether it be teachers, fellow students, mentors, professionals, or our own mistakes.
I have seen a lot of talented graduates only be able to get internships lately. Don’t get me wrong, being an intern is a great way to learn about your field, but in an economy in the tanker it’s hard enough to make a living out there.
You really need a healthy balance of both. If you have a lot of experience in the field, then take a class or to relating to your experience, and help other progress as you yourself benefit from the class. If you’re heading close towards a degree, either try and sell some design work, or pro-bono and get some work into your portfolio.
Love the website by the way! http://nrichdesign.com/
I think everyone should go to college and get a degree and then spend six months as a bartender and six months as a cabdriver. Then they would really be educated. Al McGuire
lol, good point. I’m sure you’d learn a lot about people from doing those jobs haha.
Thanks for the comment,
~ Casey Hald