Degree vs Experience

angle

Jomo wrote: »

NEVER LIE...:eek:

Agreed - the last 2 jobs I've started have asked to see my degree certificates. It's not worth it.


Thanks for all the responses - I'm finding this really interesting.

What about hiring someone with years of experience who is (in their own time) studying for a degree? That has to show a lot of commitment.

He works in a contact centre for a Financial Services company. He is in charge of managing all the resources and making sure that the business systems are working (at least I think that's it!). His knowledge of the financial products/procedures etc has all come from working there and doing the job. The resource management is hands on learning and training courses.
He's very intelligent, but was unable to go to uni when he was 18 and never got round to it. He got into the resource management through hard work and commitment, but the work he was doing before that isn't really the type of work where they could request a degree.

I remember when I graduated - I struggled to find a job as I didn't have any experience!!

angle

SomeBozo wrote: »

In todays job market employers can ask (and get) both.

Bozo

I absolutely agree.

Our arguement was if employers could only choose one.....

angle

Just_Incredible wrote: »

Education is more important than experience

I say this because having a degree on your CV tells an employer that this person has taken time out to invest in his/her career by through means of education, also most degrees entitle you to work in different fields, I know people with english degree's who work in IT or finance departments, you wouldn't get that with someone without a degree

Unfortunately he was unable to go when he was 18 and never got round to it - how time flies. He would absolutely love to do a degree.
Is it ever too late?

angle

PrincessDonna2009 wrote: »

Well it's the same with my partner, he has 12 years experience in I.T and no formal qualification in it. He has been unemployed for nearly 7 months now after his contracting ending last year and every job he goes for nearly always say you need a degree in I.T for this poistion and he's only managed to get 5 interviews and applied for hundereds of jobs? No luck as of yet and when he asks for feedback they always say it weren't you it was because someone has a better level of education within the role..

So for me I would say it's better to have a qualification/degree.........

I'm so sorry to hear that. Hope he finds something soon.

Jomo

Just_Incredible wrote: »

Education is more important than experience

I say this because having a degree on your CV tells an employer that this person has taken time out to invest in his/her career by through means of education, also most degrees entitle you to work in different fields, I know people with english degree's who work in IT or finance departments, you wouldn't get that with someone without a degree

Having a degree isn't anything special anymore and there aren't enough jobs out there to support them...not to mention the degrees that are 'useless'.

Experience speaks for itself, a person with a degree can walk in on their first day and will still need lots of 'on the job' training.

Pee

I think doing a degree alongside working, whilst very hard work, is a great way to get on.

If anyone thinks a degree is more important than experience they have never seen someone with a degree blunder their way through their first six months of work.

I wouldn't lie, although enhancing the experience you do have is obviously an option.

ferien_uk

I think it all depends on how you sell yourself. Just saying "I have a degree" or "I have 15 years of experience" is not enough, you have to be able to really explain how either of these things have given you the skills needed for the job. Most important is to have confidence. If you go into the interview thinking you won't get it because you don't have a degree, then that will come across to the interview

However, I agree with SomeBozo, that there are so many unemployed people right now, employers can afford to set really high standards for what they require in an applicant, and they can ask for both a degree and experience. A lot of the time you could be perfect for the job, but there is someone else that is just that little bit more perfect. The example I always give is that if I went for a job as a cleaner right now, they would probably give it to someone with more experience.
I know this isn't much help, but the main thing to remember is to not take the rejections personally. The interviewer may have liked you, just found someone else they liked more.

My advice to the OP's husband is to look for part-time courses he can do whilst still working. Employers might see 15 years experience + working towards a degree as equal to someone who already has the degree but not as much experience. Employers always like to see someone who has recognised their need for improvement and is actually doing something about it.

.

Jomo

Obviously in some professions a degree is a must but there are too many 'easy options' out there that serve no purpose and many students find themselves in a position where they feel as though it's all been a waste of time.

It's all about money money money!!

Jastons

angle wrote: »

I remember when I graduated - I struggled to find a job as I didn't have any experience!!

I am due to graduate in a months time (hoping for a 2:1 in Computer Science) but I have never done a proper days work in my life (I am 21). Almost all of the jobs vacancies that I have looked at expect you to have some sort of experience, even graduate positions.

I looked into a vacancy last week working on a IT help desk for the NHS, providing my final exam results are good my qualifications would be better than those requested in the advertisement but because I don't have 2 years relevant experience I wouldn't even get a look in.

bumpoowee

Neither is more important. I've worked with people with 15 years of experience in a skilled profession who have been completely incompetent and only in the job because they had been there 15 years and got promotions by default.

On the other hand a lot of people I went to university who got degrees would be just as hopeless.

Having the skills for the job and a good work ethic is by far the most important thing and this is what employers look for in my experience.