Once a person who was always in favor of engineering degrees, Kevin O’Leary recently issued a warning stating that engineering degrees no longer offer guaranteed success. Moreover, he changed his long-held advice and highlighted the new skills, which he thinks offer greater pay.
From STEM Evangelist to Content-Creation Advocate
In the year 2018, Kevin O’Leary advised that all students pursuing a master’s degree in engineering were one of the only degrees worth pursuing. He meant that engineering provides a push towards a technical skill set, stability, and a pathway to employment.
However, a transformation in the market dynamics reshaped that belief. In a post on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) in November 2025, Kevin wrote, “Ten years ago, I said engineering was the only master’s degree worth pursuing. Not anymore.”
He also said that top-notch content creators, people with storytelling skills, who can drive online traction, now get the fastest salary growth. Furthermore, he mentioned that people who can increase return on ad spend (ROAS) and reduce the CAC (Customer acquisition cost) earn six or even seven-figure income.
The economic value is shifting, along with the increase in digital influence, which might be transforming valuable skills.
Why the Shift? The Changing Nature of Work and Innovation
Kevin O’Leary’s observation does not exist in a vacuum, as important macro transitions are underneath the surface. Many transitions will be driven by advances in artificial intelligence, automation, and employer demands.
- According to a recent report, AI is changing traditional software engineering workflows. The tasks that required manual coding are now tackled by the new and upcoming AI tools.
- Consequently, technical execution such as coding, performing quotidian tasks, and developing infrastructure is now losing its premium. Hence, judgment, adaptability, context, and the ability to transform technical results into business impact.
- As a result, traditional engineering curricula have begun to lag. Many engineering graduates have theoretical knowledge, but they lack a practical skill set, which is required in today’s era.
In this ecosystem, being an engineer with outdated skill sets and fixed expectations is becoming less advantageous. Rather, graduates who merge technical skills with communication, creativity, and strong business acumen are more sought after.
What Are The New, High-Value Skills?
According to the Shark Tank investor, several skill sets are increasingly gaining more value. These skill sets are not just technical; instead, they are creative, hybrid, and cross-disciplinary.
1. Creative Storytelling & Digital Influence
Skill sets are not just in entertainment or social media; rather, as per Kevin O’Leary, storytellers play a very significant role. They can build brands, drive consumer engagement rate, and market products. Their capability to gain trust and reduce CAC translates to calculable business worth, which further explains the rationale behind their fastest wage growth.
Also, content creation, brand storytelling, and digital marketing have lower entry barriers as compared to traditional engineering.
2. AI-Augmented Engineering: Systems Thinking & Integration
The future engineer is not just a person who knows coding. As per the recent discussion and analyses, engineers remain relevant if they combine their domain knowledge with AI, computing, and systems-level thinking.
So, they are not just responsible for building solutions and bridging disciplines. Instead, their worth lies more in structuring problems, design thinking, and using AI, and less in manual work.
3. Soft Skills & Business Acumen: Judgement Over Execution
AI takes away quotidian tasks; however, emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration become more significant. Employers today look for people who can understand if something needs to be built, and not just how to build something.
Skills that are often underemphasized in traditional engineering curricula, like communication, empathy, and creativity, are critical to add value.
4. Continuous Learning, Adaptability & Niche Expertise
Static skill-sets are no longer required. Professionals who keep on learning new tools, AI, ML, and cloud computing, are all positioned for long-term success.
In the same manner, high-demand areas and niche specializations, such as sustainable technologies, AI-driven systems, cybersecurity, etc., provide careers that are less vulnerable.
But Does This Mean Engineering Is Dead?
No. The warning does not mean that engineering as a profession is worthless; rather, it highlights that the traditional model of engineering, such as manual coding, is losing its existence.
There is a bright future for those who evolve by mixing engineering understanding with domain expertise, adaptability, and soft skills. However, the odds are higher for students who just rely on their degrees to secure a stable and high-paying future, especially in areas where the curricula have become outdated.
Why O’Leary’s Warning Matters Globally?
Kevin O’Leary’s advice acts as a wake-up call, especially in countries like India, where engineering degrees are culturally appreciated.
The problem in India is widespread because the majority of the engineering graduates are unemployable. They do not meet the industry requirements. All of this is due to outdated curricula, limited or no practical exposure in college, and insufficient emphasis on AI and other modern tools.
As AI takes over the industries, demand and supply market dynamics will shrink further, especially for traditional engineering jobs. It makes it a riskier alternative to depend solely on an engineering degree for future security. Hence, this demands rethinking of what to add in the curricula, along with building long-term capabilities.
