Choosing higher education also means thinking about what comes next. In Belgium, a degree remains one of the best assets for finding a job. But employers also look at experience, languages and the way you work. Here is how higher education and the job market fit together, and how you can prepare right now.
Degrees still count on the Belgian job market
The figures from Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, are clear: the higher the level of education, the higher the employment rate. In 2024, among people aged 20 to 64:
- 86.0% of higher education graduates were in work;
- 68.1% of those with an upper secondary diploma;
- 47.5% of those with at most a lower secondary diploma.
These averages hide differences between regions, fields of study and profiles. A degree opens doors, but it does not guarantee a job. Still, the gap is wide enough to remember one simple idea: finishing your studies, and finishing them well, remains a solid investment.
The first step is getting there. The CESS, the secondary school leaving certificate in French-speaking Belgium, and then the first year of higher education are milestones where many students struggle. Passing them is already preparing for working life.
A job market that changes fast
Technology, digitalisation and artificial intelligence are transforming many jobs. Some of today’s positions did not exist fifteen years ago, and others will keep evolving during your career.
As a result, you choose a degree for what it teaches you as much as for the job you have in mind at the start. A programme that teaches you to reason, to organise yourself and to learn independently will serve you well beyond your first job.
What skills do employers look for?
Knowledge of your own field remains the foundation. Around it, recruiters mainly look for so-called transferable skills.
Technical and digital skills
Handling the tools of your sector, processing data, using IT with ease: these skills are required in almost every job, far beyond IT itself.
Soft skills
These are the behavioural skills that make a difference every day:
- working in a team and communicating clearly, both orally and in writing;
- solving problems and taking initiative;
- organising yourself, meeting deadlines, managing your workload;
- learning on your own and adapting.
Good news: your studies are the best training ground. Planning your exam study period, handing in a group project, presenting your work: all of this already builds these skills.
Languages, a very Belgian asset
In Belgium, and in Brussels in particular, employers often value knowledge of Dutch, French and English, and sometimes require it. A good level in languages significantly widens your choice of jobs.
If Dutch or English is holding you back, it is better to work on it during your studies than when you start applying for jobs.
How higher education is adapting
Universities and university colleges are bringing their programmes ever closer to the working world. Depending on the programme, you will find:
- internships in companies, often compulsory at the end of the course;
- projects carried out with real organisations;
- work-study programmes, which combine classes and work in a company;
- continuing education for adults who want to upskill or change careers.
These options vary a lot from one institution to another. Before enrolling, check the place of internships and projects in the programme: it is a good indicator of how well it prepares you for a career.
Choosing a field with jobs in mind, without giving up what you enjoy
Some fields lead more directly to employment than others. Le Forem in Wallonia, Actiris in Brussels and VDAB in Flanders publish their list of shortage occupations every year. It is a useful source for finding out which profiles employers struggle to recruit.
This criterion matters, but it is one among several. A student who is motivated by their field invests more, does better and develops skills that are valued elsewhere too. General or artistic fields also offer prospects, especially when combined with transferable skills, experience and languages.
To help you decide:
- talk to professionals working in the job that appeals to you;
- consult your school’s PMS centre (pupil guidance centre) or the guidance service of the institution you are considering;
- look at where former students of the programme actually end up.
Preparing during your studies
You can become “employable” well before you graduate. During your studies, you can already:
- take a student job, or get involved in an association or volunteering;
- choose your internships carefully and build contacts from them;
- work on an extra language, even a little at a time;
- improve your study method, which will serve you all your life.
And above all, pass your years. A first year that goes badly costs time, confidence and sometimes money. Spotting early a subject that is causing trouble often helps avoid failing.
Support to succeed in your studies
Since 2003, My Sherpa has supported pupils and students throughout their schooling. For higher education, our coaches offer private lessons at home, anywhere in Belgium, or online: a difficult subject in first year, preparing for exams or resits, or a language to strengthen.
An educational advisor listens to your situation and chooses the coach who suits you. The goal: pass your exams, and build work habits that will stay with you in your professional life.
