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Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson believes that skipping university could be the best path for young people eager to enter the business world.
Speaking to LinkedIn News, Branson argued that real-life experience is more valuable than a degree for many careers.
“My own personal belief is that for running a company, ‘just get out into the world and do it’ is perhaps better than building up a lot of debt going to a university,” said the 74-year-old entrepreneur.
Branson acknowledged, however, that degrees might be essential for “extreme” jobs in tech and mathematics.
Branson, who left school at 15, has built a multi-billion-dollar empire that includes Virgin Records, Virgin Atlantic, and space venture Virgin Galactic. He reiterated his preference for practical experience over academic credentials, recalling a 2017 blog post in which he wrote, “Entrepreneurial drive beats a fancy degree anytime.”
Gen Z office challenges
Branson’s remarks come amid increasing scrutiny of the traditional higher education route. Many recent graduates, especially from Gen Z, face criticism from employers who claim they lack essential workplace skills. Some hiring managers have voiced concerns about young workers struggling with basic office principles, like punctuality and workplace etiquette.
This skepticism has led some major companies, including Apple, Google, Microsoft, and IBM, to drop degree requirements for a range of roles. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, recently highlighted a “mismatch” between the skills taught in universities and the skills companies actually need. Across the board, recruiters are increasingly prioritizing job candidates with specific skills over those with formal qualifications.
While Branson’s advice is particularly relevant to aspiring entrepreneurs, it also resonates with Gen Z employees interested in more traditional careers. With practical skills now being more valuable in the eyes of many employers, young workers might find greater success by diving directly into the workforce rather than spending years in school.
He also suggested that gaining experience in a professional environment could equip young workers better than academia. With the world of work evolving rapidly, Branson's advice may prompt more young people to reconsider the worth of university education for professional progression.
As companies increasingly shift towards skills-based hiring, the traditional degree route and the expense incurred by it, may lose its appeal for younger generations. Branson’s comments reflect a shift in how success is being defined in the modern workplace, leading more to take an alternative path.
