By MyEngineers
Billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson has challenged the traditional path to success for Gen Z, arguing that practical experience is more valuable than a college degree for many careers.
Many recent research, surveys and snap polls have consistently revealed that the latest generation of workers want to be their own boss—and according to the billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson, the best way to do that isn’t through college.
In a recent interview, Branson suggested that “just getting out into the world and doing it” is often a better approach to starting a business than accumulating student debt.
While he acknowledged the benefits of a university education for certain specialized fields like tech and mathematics, Branson emphasized that real-world experience is crucial for most professions.
“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,” the Virgin Group founder told LinkedIn News.
“I would just suggest that people get out there into the real world and get on with it,” the billionaire Virgin Group founder, Richard Branson advises Gen Z
It’s not the first time the British business mogul has championed real-life experience over credentials. In a 2017 Virgin blog post he wrote: “In my opinion, entrepreneurial drive beats a fancy degree anytime.”
Branson’s latest school of life advice came after specifically being asked how colleges can better prepare students for the world of work.
Branson’s own career trajectory supports his belief. Despite dropping out of school at 15, the now 74-year-old serial entrepreneur has accumulated a $3 billion net worth, and has built a multi-billion dollar empire spanning industries like aviation, hospitality, and space travel. His advice aligns with a growing trend among employers who are increasingly prioritizing practical skills over academic credentials.
Recent studies have revealed that many Gen Z graduates are ill-prepared for the demands of the modern workplace. Employers are reporting that new hires often lack basic workplace etiquette and soft skills, leading to difficulties in adjusting to corporate environments.
In the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, some employers tried giving graduates extra soft skills training to get them up to speed, but now more than half of hiring managers have come to the conclusion that many of them are unprepared for the world of work—and some have given up on the idea of hiring future graduates at all.
For example,, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has echoed that there is a “mismatch between the skills that are coming out of colleges and what the skills are that we believe we need in the future.”
Companies like Microsoft, IBM, Apple and Google, for examples, have eliminated degree requirements for certain positions, while recruiters are increasingly focusing on skill-based hiring.
Branson’s message offers a compelling alternative for Gen Zers who are seeking to build successful careers. By gaining practical experience and developing essential skills, they may be better positioned to thrive in a rapidly changing job market.