A degree or skills for a good job: IELTS Task 2 essay #2, band 8.0

Nowadays, getting a good job is one of the main goals for many people. While some believe that having a university degree is the best way to achieve this, others argue that practical skills and work experience are more important. In my opinion, both are valuable, but skills and experience can sometimes be more useful than a degree.

1. Grammar & accuracy

   Close revision note

   RevisedIn my opinion, both are valuable, although skills and experience may be more useful than a degree in some cases.

   The revision corrects the minor ambiguity in the original sentence.

To begin with, a university degree can provide people with better job opportunities. This is because many companies require applicants to have an educational qualification before they can apply for certain positions. For example, people who want to become doctors, engineers or teachers usually need to complete university education. Moreover, universities provide students with theoretical knowledge and help them develop their critical thinking skills. As a result, graduates may have more opportunities to find stable jobs and earn higher salaries.

1. Grammar & accuracy

   Close revision note

   RevisedFurthermore, universities equip students with theoretical knowledge and facilitate the development of their critical thinking skills.

   The revision provides a more precise and formal expression of the idea.

In contrast, some people believe that practical skills and experience are more important than academic qualifications. This is because employers often prefer candidates who can perform tasks effectively and solve real problems. For instance, in the IT industry, a person who has experience in programming and has completed several projects may be more successful than someone who only has a university degree but lacks practical knowledge. In addition, work experience helps people improve their communication and teamwork skills, which are essential in many workplaces.

1. Lexical resource

   Close revision note

   RevisedOn the other hand, some argue that practical skills and experience hold greater value than academic qualifications.

   The revision provides a more varied and precise use of vocabulary.

2. Lexical resource

   Close revision note

   RevisedThis is due to the fact that employers often favor candidates who can deliver effective performance and address real-world problems.

   The revised sentence provides a more varied and precise use of vocabulary.

In my opinion, although a university degree can open the door to many career opportunities, practical skills and experience are equally important. Having a degree does not always guarantee a good job, especially if a person cannot apply their knowledge in real-life situations. Therefore, students should not only focus on their studies but also take internships and participate in practical projects to improve their abilities.

1. Coherence & cohesion

   Close revision note

   RevisedIn my view, while a university degree can provide access to a range of career opportunities, practical skills and experience should not be underestimated.

   The revision provides a more formal and precise expression of the idea.

2. Coherence & cohesion

   Close revision note

   RevisedHence, it is important for students to focus not only on their academic studies but also on gaining practical experience through internships and projects.

   The revised sentence provides a clearer and more direct expression of the idea.

In conclusion, a university degree can help people find good jobs, while practical skills and experience allow them to perform better at work. I believe that combining education with practical experience is the most effective way to build a successful career.