An article published by IOL says that while academic qualifications demonstrate what a person knows, work experience shows how they apply that knowledge in practice. The piece frames work experience as an additional measure of job readiness, suggesting that employers often look for evidence of practical skills rather than credentials alone. It argues that experience can strengthen a candidate’s ability to perform tasks, adapt to workplace expectations, and work effectively in real-world settings. The article positions experience and qualifications as complementary rather than competing factors: qualifications indicate foundational learning, while experience provides proof of capability through exposure to job responsibilities. The overall message is that candidates benefit from pursuing both formal education and opportunities to gain hands-on experience, such as internships, part-time roles, or other forms of workplace exposure, to improve their employment prospects.