Beyond the Degree

An FGCU student participates in a hands-on exercise at Arthrex as part of the university’s Professional Sales course Digital Badge Gauntlet. -COURTESY PHOTO The path to a career can begin in a college classroom, a technical program, an apprenticeship or through hands-on experience in the workplace. In the first part of Florida Weekly’s “Is College Worth It?” series, educators across Florida pointed to a changing definition of postsecondary success, one increasingly shaped by career goals rather than a single prescribed path. Choosing how to prepare, however, is only part of the equation. Employers ultimately decide what education, experience and skills a position requires. Nationally, a 2025 survey of 1,030 executives and hiring managers conducted by Morning Consult for The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC U) found 73% believed a college degree was worth the financial investment. Yet employers also valued applied experience, with 81% saying they would be more like