There has been an ongoing debate on the methods to ensure a job with proper pay. Some feel that having high qualifications determines the quality of job, while others believe work experience is a major contributor. In my opinion, practical experience provides a greater exposure to the kind of tasks one needs to perform, and hence is more crucial.
To begin with, high qualifications are certainly detrimental in acquiring a better job. Most companies filter out the applicants based on their degrees and achievements. As a consequence, individuals with just a baseline degree would not be considered. For example, in many Indian IT companies, having a master’s degree is the eligibility to apply for the job. I agree that it is necessary to have the basic certifications for this purpose.
On the other hand, work exposure is crucial for making sure that one can stay in the company for long-term. While good paperwork ensure that you get the job, work experience ensures your stay and promotions in the company. For instance, most companies seek for candidates with at least one year of work experience, either through internships or workshops. Volunteering, part-time work, and being a research assistant counts as work experience. Esteemed organisations consider this real-life exposure to be significant to be capable of managing work-related tasks. My own point of view is that this experience provides you with the essential skillset to manage work deadlines. Hence, it is to be prioritised more than a degree.
To conclude, both qualification and experience go hand-in-hand when it comes to excelling in a field. However, my own view is that work experience carries more weight than a degree or certifications from a university to achieve a high paying job.