It is not a simple question.

Without my secondary education, I would not have got the tertiary education and membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Over the years, I continued learning and never stopped asking what the persons I reported to expect from me. I reached the position of CFO in a Private Bank.

Education in all its form has taken billions out of poverty and will continue to do so. Whether it be primary, secondary, or university, getting a certificate, a diploma, or a degree is essential.

Besides the educational background, more employers nowadays are looking at a person's experience. "A survey by recruitment specialists Universum* found that 58% of leading employers value work experience among graduates more than grades or the name of their university."

Many degrees now include a work experience part while at the other end, many colleges now offer "work and life experience" degree programs. "An accredited life experience based college degree is conferred as...