Hi, can I ask what you decided?
One of the critical issues—the elephant in the room—is that academic courses do not necessarily provide real-life examples/experiences, hence a skill shortage. It's the same with degrees—it's all very well having one, but what's the point if you don't know how to use it in the real world or synthesize the information and apply it to your context? I strongly feel that soft skills cannot be overlooked - industry links, support, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity will help a business and cultivate a growth mindset - not necessarily a decent brand name on your certificate.