The Real Purpose of Education: Be the Job, Not the Jobseeker

Going to the university has never been about becoming a jobseeker—it’s about acquiring the skills to be the job yourself. The problem begins when one approaches education with the mindset of getting a good salary. Salary, in truth, can be a trap.

What’s most important is balance—even in our schools. Education and skills should go hand in hand. We shouldn’t only be taught what to write in books (theory) but also what to do in practice. That’s how countries like China are training their people, and it has boosted both their knowledge and their confidence.

Having a skill doesn’t mean you must turn it into your profession; it’s simply a way of being equipped. For many of us who travel abroad, our educational certificates often seem like trash to them—but our skills are what they value most. Even in countries like America, there’s a strong “DIY – Do It Yourself” culture. Even a little knowledge in a skill makes a big difference. That’s why many people remain broke—they depend too much on others for everything.

To me, a white-collar job is sometimes a sign of laziness, because many of the companies where the so-called educated people work are not actually owned by degree holders.

Education is good—but have a skill as a backup system. Having both doesn’t harm you; it completes you.

And yes, one might ask—a degree in which field? Trade jobs often earn people a fortune, though not easily for new rookies. It’s the big players in the field who eat the top layer. Yet here’s the kicker: the more people are discouraged from pursuing degrees, the more valuable those degrees become.

Lesson: True education isn’t about chasing jobs—it’s about equipping yourself to create, solve, and sustain. Be intentional about learning, and never choose between education and skill. Choose both—and own your future.

© Didi-Omah Augustine Chinazaekpere