Business Degrees vs Real World Experience. Do You Need Both?

Last Updated on 13 January 2026

If you have ever scrolled through job listings and felt a little overwhelmed, you are not alone. Some roles demand a business degree. Others say experience matters more. A few seem to want everything all at once. So where does that leave someone trying to build a real career in business?

The short answer is that there is no single path. The longer answer is a bit more interesting.

What a Business Degree Actually Gives You

A business degree is often about structure. It introduces ideas you might not naturally stumble across early in your career. Things like accounting basics, marketing frameworks, management theory, and how organizations are supposed to run when everything is working smoothly.

For a lot of people, that foundation builds confidence. You start to understand the language of business. You know why certain decisions get made and how different departments connect. Even if you do not use every concept day to day, the exposure can matter.

Programs offered by places like Touro University Worldwide also appeal to people who are already working. Online degrees, flexible schedules, and practical coursework can make education feel less disconnected from real life. That matters more than it used to.

Still, a degree alone does not teach you what happens when a client ghosts you or when a deadline slips because someone quit unexpectedly.

What You Only Learn by Doing the Work

Real world experience is messy. That is the point.

You learn how people actually behave, not how textbooks say they should. You learn how to prioritize when everything feels urgent. You figure out how to talk to difficult clients, manage your time when no one is watching, and fix mistakes quickly without panicking too much.

Experience also builds instincts. After a while, you can sense when a project is going off track or when a deal feels wrong. That kind of awareness is hard to teach in a classroom.

Employers value this because it usually means less hand holding. Someone who has been through real challenges often adapts faster when things change.

Why This Is Not an Either Or Question

It is tempting to frame this as a debate. Degree versus experience. One must be better than the other.

In reality, they often work best together.

A degree can help you understand why something works. Experience shows you how it actually plays out. When you have both, you can move between strategy and execution more easily. You can talk to leadership and frontline teams without feeling out of place in either room.

That combination also gives you options. You might start in an entry level role, build experience, then use a degree to move into management. Or you might earn a degree first and use internships or part time work to gain practical exposure along the way.

What Employers Are Really Looking For

Most employers are not obsessed with ticking boxes. They want people who can think, communicate, and solve problems.

A degree can signal commitment and baseline knowledge. Experience shows reliability and adaptability. Together, they suggest you are serious about your career and capable of growing with the role.

That is especially true in business, where industries evolve quickly. Tools change. Markets shift. People who keep learning tend to last longer.

So, Do You Need Both?

Not always. But having both rarely hurts.

If you already have experience, a business degree can sharpen your thinking and open new doors. If you are just starting out, education can give you direction while you figure out what kind of work suits you best.

There is no perfect formula. Careers are rarely straight lines. What matters most is staying curious, being willing to learn, and knowing that growth usually comes from a mix of study, trial, error, and a little patience.  

And honestly, that is true whether you learn it in a classroom or on the job.