Opinion Panel | A university degree does not have to align with the demands of the labour market
To help students navigate the rapidly changing labour market, the UvA Career Day is taking place today: a day filled with talks about LinkedIn and career advice, with the university’s relationship with the labour market firmly in the spotlight. But is it really the university’s responsibility to meet the demands of the labour market? That is the question the Folia Opinion Panel is considering this week.
A university degree does not have to align with the demands of the labour market
Shady Morsi (27) studies law.
“The statement seems to force a choice: either the university focuses on science or on the labour market. But this is a false dichotomy. A university can maintain science as its primary focus while also showing where that knowledge can lead.”
“Academic education teaches students to think critically, reason carefully and get to grips with complex issues. These skills remain valuable in a labour market that is changing rapidly due to an ageing population and AI. Those who learn how to acquire knowledge can continue to adapt as professions disappear or change.”
“Paying attention to career prospects does not detract from this. A Career Day, a guest lecture by an alumnus or a LinkedIn workshop does not replace academic content, but complements it. Many students, particularly first-years, simply do not know what opportunities will be available to them after graduation. An insight into professional practice gives their studies direction and meaning, and helps them make informed choices about specialisations and internships.”
“A good university therefore does not require a trade-off, but a combination of the two. Science provides the foundation, while career guidance shows what can be built upon it. Students do not become any less academically minded as a result, but they are better prepared for the future.”
Silvia Bușcan (19) studies media & culture.
“For many young adults, going to university is already a difficult transition that often involves moving away, financial constraints, maintaining a household, and so on. All this struggle with adult life should at least pay off through acquiring practical knowledge which will help graduates find and secure well-paid jobs. However, technical expertise alone is not enough.”
“A range of soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, is equally essential, regardless of one’s degree. Moreover, even the most professionally prepared individuals may struggle to secure a job if they cannot effectively showcase their abilities through a strong CV and a successful interview.”
“So who is going to prepare you for the demands of the labour market if not the university? Or, put differently, why pursue higher education if it does not align with those demands? Just for the sake of the subject or the unwavering passion for it? Sure, but that only works if you are already retired and financially secure.”
Siri Boe-Lillegraven (44) is associate professor of Strategy.
“Students expect degrees to result in fulfilling and economically viable occupations, while society wants returns on public funds. This makes it obvious to link degrees with labour market needs and help students navigate changes affecting employability. Yet, merely ‘aligning’ with demand would underserve students and the university’s societal purpose.”
“It would be better if the university helped shape the labour market itself, including the demands that come with it. This requires weighing preferences of employers and students, which may conflict, against broader societal needs. It also requires using one’s own conviction and foresight, to protect knowledge and skills that are currently undervalued.”
“Entrepreneurship and sustainability programmes show how universities can simultaneously respond to labour market needs while also challenging those needs. This way, employers get self-starting, impact-driven talent while some graduates independently launch market-changing ideas too. UvA’s Career Day is another example: recruiters, not only students, might leave with new insights.”
“The labour market can shift unexpectedly. Management consultancies claim more interest in liberal arts degrees, as these complement AI. Longer term, a university focused narrowly on matching curricula with already known demands may also underserve employers.”
