Log IELTS: Essay 1

Some people believe that universities should focus on providing academic knowledge and theoretical skills, while others think that universities should prepare students for the workforce by emphasizing practical skills and real-world experience. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Nowadays, universities are widely regarded as one of the most important factors for career development. However, universities tend to provide theoretical skills rather than practical skills that are needed in the industry. I firmly believe that universities should provide students the balance between theoretical knowledge and real-world experience.

Some people have a view that theoretical knowledge is quite useless for career. For example, a computer science student need to learn calculus or another complex subject whereas he will only work on simple application that doesn't need a heavy math after graduation such as CRUD application. However, this view is totally incorrect. Learning theoretical skills can improve our critical thinking and provide us a fundamental subject that can make things easier for us. For instance, learning discrete math can make us understand how recursive functions works.

On the other hand, too many theoretical skills is not good because we would not understand how the real industry is running. The most important factor in career development is track record that could not gained just from theoritical knowledge, especially in skill-oriented industry such as software engineering. For example, There are many people who dont attend college but their skills surpass universities graduates because they always make their hand dirty without too many theoritical lecture.

The conclusion is practical skills and real-world experience could more be important than theoritical skills because track record will show the real competency. Nevertheless, academic knowledge increases our capability to solve a problem. Therefore, it is important for academic institution to strike the balance between theoritical knowledge and real-world experience through internship or something else.