Traditionally, higher education has been considered a prerequisite for success. But the world is changing: war, instability, digitalization, and artificial intelligence are transforming the labor market. Modern teenagers think differently - they seek independence, practical skills and quick results.

University education can be very expensive, and the return on this investment is not guaranteed. It will depend on the chosen specialty, career goals, financial situation, and other factors. Together with HR consultant Yulia Kudina and 16-year-old Varvara Gerasymchuk, a social media specialist who is building a career before she comes of age, LIGA.net analyzes:

  • Is it worth skipping the educational stage?
  • What does the university really give and what can be obtained in other ways?
  • And is the market ready for specialists without diplomas, but with experience and ambitions?

The story of 16-year-old Varvara Gerasymchuk

- You started working at the age of 13. Tell us what motivated you and what was this path like?

- In fact, my story didn't start with a "successful success" or "my parents paid for it." In August 2022, a cluster bomb hit my house - I didn't know if I would ever return home. I also wanted to be independent of my parents and wanted to help the military financially. Three years have passed, and every 20% of my salary goes to the needs of the Armed Forces, doctors, and shelters. This motivated me .

My first niche to work in the SMM was the beauty industry and a bookstore. In particular, I worked in beauty for 11 months, and after experiencing thousands of visuals, none of which I liked, or writing a post in five minutes, I can say that now any other niches seem easy. I still remember my first paycheck: I got 1200-1500 UAH in a month. At the time, I thought that this was wow, what a result. Now, in almost three years, I have been able to earn up to $4,000, primarily because I work with international companies. It also helps to know and learn new languages for work: English, French, Spanish, German, and others. I have 9 languages in total, including Ukrainian.

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Photo: Varvara Gerasymchuk, social media specialist with experience in digital marketing

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