“Yet too often, degrees are still thought of as lifelong stamps of professional competency.”
Sorta depends on WHERE that degree is from doesn’t it?
Those degrees are also a substitute for the aptitude test employers are not allowed to administer.
For many years now, the IT profession has been undergoing a shift from college degrees to certifications. I see this slowly spreading to related fields. For example, IT to cyber security and now into risk management. I am sure than this will proceed to other fields as well.
Project management now has the Comptia project+ and the PMP. In the business space, Certified Business Analysis Professional and Certified Supply Chain Profession. Finance as the Certified Financial Planner and health care has a long history of certifications, though there is normally a degree requirement as well.
I would say that it's more about what the degree is *in*.
"(fill-in-the-blank) Engineering"? Yep, they might know a thing or two.
"(fill-in-the-blank) Studies"? Probably not so much.