A contentious social debate has recently arisen regarding the necessity of graduating from college or university to succeed, especially given that Miss Universe Vietnam 2024, Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen, has yet to complete her higher education.

The Hanoi Times' "Words on the Street" column offers some analysis today.

A path reserved for the chosen few

The fact that a beauty queen has no university degree has sparked a debate. Firstly, Ky Duyen represents Vietnam on the international stage. While beauty pageants don't require contestants to have a university degree, the fact that Ky Duyen hasn't completed any of the courses she has enrolled in - at the age of 28 - could come back to haunt her.

Second, there's no denying Duyen's prominence and sway - especially among the youth. Her success without a degree could serve as a model for the younger generation, who may feel that dropping out of school is a viable way to pursue their own goals.

Unquestionably, some young Vietnamese today may have a misconception about entrepreneurship. Some believe that dropping out of school, starting a business and running it will be a piece of cake.

The fact that millionaires, celebrities, and businessmen have achieved success without completing their education has led to the creation of this myth. In an article published in July this year, Yahoo Finance listed 20 people who became billionaires after leaving university, including famous names such as Oprah Winfrey, Jack Dorsey, Steven Spielberg, Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Li Ka-shing, Michael Dell and, most notably, Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates.

But wait, let's admit that these 20 names are some of the sharpest minds on the planet. They have extraordinary talent, strong foundations, and an impeccable ability to seize opportunities. These are the factors that have made them successful.

Young people should bear in mind that Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are once-in-a-century phenomena. Take Facebook, for example, which Mark Zuckerberg started in 2004 as a private social network for Harvard University.

What happened 20 years later? Facebook has become a parallel "virtual world" that offers almost everything the real world does. This illustrates the genius of Mark's career.

In Vietnam, you'd be hard-pressed to find a beauty queen or a successful entrepreneur who became great without graduating. They didn't succeed by failing to graduate.

All they've done is pick a different route, one meant just for a chosen few - those who possess remarkable professional abilities and perseverance. These individuals are 'destined for greatness,' as one may humorously say.

In Duyen's case, not graduating from university may not be an issue. But if we look at the history of global beauty pageants, the most outstanding contestants often have impressive, sometimes extraordinary, academic records.

University isn't the only way, but it's the shortest

A university degree isn't the only route to success. Vocational training or technical colleges can also lead to future success, but higher education is the shortest route.

Firstly, going to university gives you the knowledge you need for your career. Let's face it, it's not easy to reach the heights of Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg. If they're a 10/10, most of you are probably a 1 or 2, and that's being generous.

Being part of a school community allows you to accumulate knowledge and skills from your teachers and peers. Many people have dropped out only to return to school after facing the harsh realities of life.

Second, school teaches discipline. Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Ky Duyen didn't become successful because they dropped out, but because they were able to put themselves in a frame.

If given the chance, let’s ask Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg how many hours a day they dedicate to work and how much sleep they get. Or ask Duyen how many hours she spends in the gym every day to win two of Vietnam's biggest beauty titles?

Their successes come at the cost of sweat and tears. Talent or not, discipline is the key. If you cannot cultivate it yourself, let the school help.

Actor Sylvester Stallone made a humorous comment about going to school in the series Tulsa King (released in November 2022): "You wanna get smart? Go to the collage. The whole point of a college degree is to show a potential employer that you showed up someplace four years in a row, completed a series of tasks reasonably well and on time."

Third, going to school helps you build relationships that are essential to your career. If you're not exceptionally talented compared to your peers or colleagues, building relationships now will pay off later. You need to learn how to interact with all the people around you.

Building a rapport with your professors will also lead to new prospects. If you have sufficient skills, you can further your career by maintaining a solid relationship with your lecturers, who are people with high social standing and extensive networks.

In conclusion, there are other paths to success than graduating from high school and enrolling in college or university. But it is the most advantageous and the shortest. Imagine that walking a path with millions of others reduces the risks compared to venturing alone into uncharted territory full of pitfalls.  

If you’re unsure of your abilities or your level of self-confidence, follow the main path to gradually unlock and harness your strengths. Your future will be brightened by the encouragement of your fellow students on this academic journey.

And remember, whether you're still at school or already working, never stop learning. Continually improving your knowledge and skills is the key to future success.

In my opinion, the key to future career fulfilment is still to go to university, college or technical school. Unless there is a stroke of luck or something extraordinary, I still urge young people to go to school, pay attention in class and build a strong foundation for their future.