Is Education Important for Job Hunting? Let's Find Out!

In this era of globalization and rapid technological advancement, there are many questions about the importance of education in finding a job. Does education really play a big role in opening doors to one's career? Or are experience and skills enough to succeed in the world of work? Yul, let's find out what makes education so important in the job search process.

1. Strong skills and knowledge base
Education provides an important foundation in equipping a person with skills and knowledge whether at school, university or a vocational training institute. Education serves as a place to learn the basics needed in the world of work. For example, a historian must understand the basics of history and social culture, while an accountant needs to master basic accounting and taxation systems.

However, criticism often arises regarding the orientation of education which only focuses on the end result. As stated by Nisa Felicia faridz, "Our education has not been able to foster a sense of curiosity for the love of science itself, we still see it as a lecture and then graduate and then look for work" (Cr. Youtube Haruskah Kita Punya Filosofi Pendidikan) This criticism illustrates that the education system emphasizes pragmatic goals. This is certainly often the case in developing countries, where social and economic pressures force many people to focus on quick results such as having a good permanent job after graduation.

2. Opportunity to get a better job
One of the main reasons education is important when looking for a job is because it gives you access to a better career path. Many companies set a minimum education level for certain positions. Education is also often a determinant in getting a higher paying job with greater responsibility.

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The higher the level of education a person has, the more career options are open to him. Not only limited to the entry level, but also to managerial or executive positions later on.   

3. Increase competence and confidence
Education is not only about getting a diploma, or a certificate, but also about how one thinks critically in solving problems as well as good communication skills. These skills are very important in the workplace, especially when one is faced with new challenges.

Having a good education can also boost one's confidence. When a person feels that they have sufficient skills and knowledge, they will be more confident when facing a job interview or working in a competitive environment.

4. Upskilling and lifelong learning opportunities
The world of work is constantly changing with technological developments and industry trends. With a good education, one will have a strong foundation to continue learning and adapting. Such as attending advanced training or new skills courses that are relevant to the needs of the job market.

This lifelong learning skill is very important as future jobs may require skills that do not exist today. With a basic education, one may be more adaptable to change.

5 .Unemployment data by education level

Skarenas Badan Pusat Statistik 2021,

Based on data from Statistics Indonesia's Skarenas 2021, we can see that the open unemployment rate varies by level of education. From this graph, it can be seen that SMK and SMA graduates have a higher unemployment rate than those with a Diploma or University education.
This shows that the higher the level of education, the greater the chance for a person to reduce the risk of unemployment. This graph also strengthens the argument that education plays an important role in increasing employment opportunities.

6.Opening up networks and opportunities
During the education process, one will meet many people, ranging from lecturers, classmates, friends of other organizations to experts in related fields.  These relationships can develop into networks that are useful when looking for a job. These relationships may provide information about job vacancies, references, or even open doors for interviews at the Dream Company.

Not only that, some educational institutions also have internship programs or cooperation with companies that make it easier for students to get hands-on work experience and open up career opportunities in the future.

So, is education important when looking for a job? The answer is yes, it is very important. Education provides a foundation of skills and knowledge, helps individuals adapt to the changing world of work and opens up better job opportunities. Although experience and skills are also very important, formal education is still the main point to succeed in the world of work.