College degree or just an 'entry ticket'? Engineer explains the reality of education beyond classrooms. 3 career skills that can help

For years, students in India have been told that getting into a good college and earning a degree is the safest path to a stable career. It’s a belief that still drives millions through competitive exams and long academic years. But a recent Instagram post by engineer Manvi Bisen questioning how much that degree actually matters once you step into the real working world.

Manvi, who studied chemical engineering from an NIT, shared her personal experience of how little of her academic learning actually translated into her job. She wrote, "I have a degree from NIT in chemical engineering and my job has just used maybe 3% of it."

She clarified that she isn’t dismissing formal education altogether, but highlighted a gap that many students aren’t told about early on. According to her, a large number of her batchmates are now working in fields completely unrelated to what they studied.


Recalling her college days, she added, "In college, I studied thermodynamics, mechanics, kinetics, you know, all those cool science stuff. But at work, I'm just in Excel meetings and figuring out things on internet by myself."

What actually helped her move ahead

Instead of textbook knowledge, Manvi pointed to two things that made a real difference in her career. She said, "Only thing that got me ahead was communication and upskilling."

She explained that while a degree may help someone land an interview, performance after that depends entirely on individual effort. As she put it, "my degree has only helped me to get to the interview. But after that, it's just me."

Her takeaway from this journey is clear: "Degree is just an entry ticket. It's not the whole ride."

3 skills that matter more in the long run

Based on her experience and the wider discussion in the comments, three practical skills stood out.

1. Communication skills
Being able to explain ideas clearly, speak in meetings, and interact confidently with teams often matters more than technical depth. Several users echoed this, noting how workplace success depends heavily on how you present yourself.

2. Continuous upskilling
Manvi stressed learning beyond the syllabus. She advised students to pick up tools, technologies, or even side skills that can generate income. In her words, "learn something on site. It can be anything. A skill, a tool, a hobby, anything which can make you money alongside."

3. Self-learning ability
A big part of modern jobs involves figuring things out independently. From using the internet to solving problems on the go, adaptability has become essential.

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A post shared by Manviiii (@manvi.diary)

Internet reacts

The post saw strong engagement, with many agreeing with her perspective. Comments like “Truly said” and “Spoke facts” reflected how relatable her experience felt.

Some users shared their own journeys. One mentioned switching from civil engineering to banking, saying his college hustle helped him handle job pressure better. Another pointed out that relevance of a degree depends on the career path, explaining that in research roles, academic knowledge is used daily.

There were also confused students seeking advice, asking whether they should focus on core engineering or shift toward IT skills like Python and DSA, a sign of the uncertainty many face today.

Manvi’s post doesn’t reject the idea of higher education, but it does challenge the belief that a degree alone is enough. Her message is more practical than dramatic: do your degree, but don’t stop there.