IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer (band score 8-9)
IELTS Essay # 1463 - University education is the best way to get a good job
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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Completing a university education is thought by some to be the best way to get a good job. On the other hand, other people think that getting experience and developing soft skills is more important.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1: [Opinion: Completing a university education is the best way to get a good job.]
In the contemporary world, the pathway to securing a good job is a subject of heated debate. Some advocate that practical experience and the development of soft skills outweigh the significance of completing a university education. Conversely, others believe that the traditional route of achieving a degree is pivotal for obtaining a promising career. Personally, I contend that completing a university education is the optimal means to secure a good job in the modern world due to its multifaceted benefits and broader career prospects.
Supporters of gaining experience and soft skills argue that practical knowledge acquired through work experience often proves more valuable in the professional sphere. By engaging in real-world scenarios, individuals can acquire critical competencies such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, which are perceived as essential in many workplaces. For example, an individual who has climbed the ranks in a company may possess substantial practical insights and networking connections, providing them with an edge in securing a job compared to fresh graduates.
Those who support a more traditional route to career success believe that while practical experience undeniably offers valuable insights, obtaining a university degree furnishes individuals with comprehensive knowledge and a strong educational foundation. University education not only imparts specialised knowledge but also instils analytical thinking, research abilities, and a deep understanding of a particular field. This comprehensive learning equips graduates with a broad spectrum of skills applicable across diverse industries, enhancing their adaptability and potential for career advancement. Moreover, in today's competitive job market, many employers prioritize candidates with formal qualifications. A university degree often acts as a prerequisite for entry into certain professions, thereby opening doors to a wider array of job opportunities.
In conclusion, while experience and soft skills hold value, the overarching benefits of university education, including specialised knowledge, critical thinking, and enhanced career prospects, make it the superior pathway to securing a rewarding job in the contemporary world.
Model Answer 2: [Opinion: Getting experience and developing soft skills is more important for a better career.]
The quest for a secure and fulfilling career throws two divergent paths – the university education and job experience. While some advocate for the undeniable weight of a university degree in securing desirable positions, others endorse the crucial role of experience and sharpened soft skills. My opinion is that job experience and soft skills are far more helpful in securing a fulfilling career.
Those who support university education for a better career say that in an increasingly knowledge-driven economy, academic credentials remain a passport to entry for many fields. Specialized degrees equip individuals with advanced knowledge, analytical skills, and the ability to critically evaluate and innovate within their chosen domains. A research scientist, for instance, would require the theoretical foundation and meticulous training offered by a university programme to make groundbreaking discoveries and have a great career.
Advocates of the experiential path point to the invaluable lessons learned from real-world work. Training programmes and volunteer initiatives offer opportunities to hone practical skills, build resilience, and develop a keen understanding of industry nuances. A young entrepreneur, for instance, may find the lessons learned through trial and error in launching a start-up far more valuable than textbook entrepreneurship concepts. Additionally, soft skills, from communication and teamwork to adaptability and problem-solving, flourish in the dynamic environment of real-world challenges, often exceeding the reach of traditional classroom settings.
In my opinion, university graduates may be armed with specialized knowledge to get a job, but with honed soft skills and real-world experience, their counterparts also emerge as formidable candidates. Honed soft skills and job experience often offer avenues of career options that a simple degree fails to offer.
In conclusion, even though both experience and university education hold undeniable value in the equation of career success, the key to securing a "good job" and building an enviable career lies in choosing to gain soft skills and practical skills.
Idea Generation for this IELTS Essay:
Essay question:
Completing a university education is thought by some to be the best way to get a good job. On the other hand, other people think that getting experience and developing soft skills is more important.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Essay type:
Discussion Essay
The main question of this essay:
Which is more important for getting a good job: university education or experience and soft skills?
Arguments in favour of university education for getting a good job:
1. Provides specialised knowledge and qualifications:
A university degree equips individuals with the theoretical foundation and credentials required in many professional fields. Employers often demand degrees as a minimum requirement. For instance, doctors, lawyers, and engineers cannot enter their professions without completing formal higher education.
2. Enhances credibility and employability:
Academic qualifications signal a candidate's commitment and discipline to potential employers. Degrees from reputed institutions carry weight in competitive job markets. For example, graduates from top universities are often preferred by multinational companies for high-level roles.
3. Offers career networking opportunities:
University life offers valuable connections through alumni networks, internships, and faculty relationships, which can help secure future employment. For example, many students find job placements through university-run career fairs and professional contacts.
4. Opens doors to higher-level positions:
In many sectors, promotions to senior roles are reserved for those with advanced degrees. Employers link academic qualifications to leadership potential. For example, MBA graduates often qualify for management-level jobs that are not open to diploma holders.
5. Facilitates access to global job markets:
Holding a recognised university degree can enable professionals to work abroad more easily. Many countries evaluate job applicants based on educational attainment. For instance, a software engineer with a degree from a well-known institution is more likely to secure a work visa in a developed country.
Arguments in favour of experience and soft skills being more important:
1. Practical experience often trumps theory:
On-the-job experience equips individuals with real-world skills that are directly applicable in the workplace, which may not be taught at university. For instance, someone who has worked in retail for years may outperform a business graduate with no hands-on experience.
2. Soft skills are critical in today’s workplace:
Qualities like communication, teamwork, adaptability, and emotional intelligence are highly valued by employers. These skills are often developed through life and work experiences rather than in academic settings. For example, a salesperson with excellent interpersonal skills may succeed without a formal degree.
3. Some professions don’t require a degree:
Fields like creative arts, hospitality, and digital content creation often prioritise talent and practical skills over formal education. For example, many successful entrepreneurs and artists never completed university but excelled through experience and innovation.
4. Reduces time and financial burden:
Gaining experience directly through work can save time and money compared to pursuing a lengthy and costly university degree. For instance, someone who starts an apprenticeship right after school may begin earning and advancing in their career years before their university-educated peers.
5. Better alignment with employer expectations:
Many employers complain that graduates lack the practical readiness needed to perform in the workplace. Real-world experience, on the other hand, prepares candidates to hit the ground running. For example, IT firms often prefer self-taught coders with a strong project portfolio over computer science graduates with no hands-on experience.
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