Degree Required ..... really?

Terrylw1

Like other posters have said, it can be to set a standard as it's often assumed that having a degree means you are more intelligent than someone with say, A levels. In reality, it's an assumption as there are many reasons for that and some degrees are harder than others.

Often employers advertise for graduates for other reasons e.g. a) graduates have less of a feel for an appropriate salary than someone with experience b) graduates are often looking for that first step so may except a bit less to use it as a stepping stone, experienced people are less likely to and c) they may be looking for a mouldable person as experienced individuals can be harder to do this with (depends on the person though)

One of the Uni's around my way always states degree only and the jobs are basic administrator positions. They don't care if the degree is in a subject of no value whatsoever. They just assume that the degree makes the person more intelligent.

There's a big difference to completing a degree to being able to deal with real life situations. I've worked with loads of good grads, and loads of very dizzy ones.

As another poster says, experience counts to everyone.

kunekune

If you have been accepted for a Masters, you must have been regarded as having degree-level qualifications/experience already. That's what I would stress.

nzmegs

I have a degree and I am a receptionist.....probably the most over-qualified receptionist around. But the majority of the directors in my company do not have degrees and it hasn't stopped them achieving. Degrees are often nnot worth the paper they are written on (so to speak)

vivatifosi

Hi Pastures,

I have an OU degree and a Masters in Management, and I know from experience that doing both in your spare time is bl**dy hard! I can understand why you only have half of the former!

A lot of employers see commitment to learning while your working as a really good trait - that you don't avoid graft. Also, as kunekune states, to get accepted on a Masters course to start with you will have had to have impressed the Uni that you have relevant experience in order to get in.

What sorts of job are you looking to apply for?

London_Exile

I'd broadly agree that having a relevant degree can help when going for a job, if you have no experience in that industry. But have found through applying for jobs in IT, where it's stated that a degree is needed employers and or recruitment agencies will overlook the lack of one, if you have the enough direct experience in that area.

LondonDiva

The last job I recruited for said that degree or equivalent experience

thor

PasturesNew wrote: »

Just wondering your thoughts ...


I do have half a degree from the OU.
And now I have started my Masters Degree (in Management)

Don't you need a full degreee as a minimum requirement to be able to study for a masters?

Andy_L

No, you will need to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the subject (eg from professional experience) and the academic ability to study.

Zazen999

Hi
Job decriptions are usually written by HR
It is the manager that interviews [usually] and them that will see the real person.
Definitely apply.

LondonDiva

Zazen999 wrote: »

Hi
Job decriptions are usually written by HR

I wrote the jds for the three posts we've just recruited to - the jds in my organisation are written by the line managers.

Zazen999 wrote: »

Definitely apply.

I would agree with the fact that if you have equivalent work experience or training to a degree to apply. Most person specs say: degree or equivalent work experience