Recruiters and hiring managers, how important is a college degree as opposed to experience when looking for a job or advancing in your career?

19 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 20,2024 at 2:05PM UTC

   It depends on the role and industry, which you didn't mention. Some (many) companies do require it for specific roles, despite experience.

   I'm honestly surprised that you have to explain/defend not having a degree after 10 years in the role. I don't feel like discussions about degrees are that prevalent once you have some experience under your belt so perhaps you're leaking your insecurity about this point? I would focus on where you want to go and what it takes to get there and if that means a bachelors then you have your answer. Again, it's industry specific so you may want to amend your question with further details.

2. AnonymousNovember 20,2024 at 4:18PM UTC

   It is DEFINITELY an insecurity. Never once has a manger or colleague asked about my degree or lack of. I almost feel like they just somehow know and look down on me. ha Very silly, I know.

3. AnonymousNovember 21,2024 at 2:35PM UTC

   if that is the case, then it seems like you really do not have an issue at all. A degree isn't necessarily a skill set. Even with a degree, people still need to develop many skills in order to successfully do work. A degree doesn't "arm" you with every answer, etc. but it's a basis of knowledge, learning to learn and apply, time management, etc. Doing a job well doesn't hinge on a degree and there are reasons why some industries require degrees and some don't. it all depends... you have to decide what is right for you and what the standards are in your industry (which in general by looking at job postings should be easy to figure out). Good luck.

4. E CNovember 20,2024 at 2:15PM UTC

   I am going to be honest. You're coming across as defensive and arrogant by repeating what a great job you're doing and how everyone loves you. Is a degree a standard for advancement in your field? If so, if you are the great performer you repeatedly assert that you are, get the degree. There are knowledge sets in your field that you almost certainly don't know that you don't know. College still has value, no more matter what certain politicians want you to believe.

5. AnonymousNovember 20,2024 at 3:57PM UTC

   I didn't mean it to come off that way. Honestly I feel like I put so much effort into my work because I'm NOT great and people think I am something I am not; so I don't want them to think otherwise. My explanation for having more knowledge than most of my coworkers who do have formal education is that I have not been pigeonholed in what I do because I started at a small company where I wore many hats and not in a position where I only did xyz. I have a better understanding of how all the moving pieces play into each other because that is how I learned to operate in the beginning. I have spoken to a few individuals higher in the company and previous coworkers who do not have degrees and have simply moved their way up based on their work ethic and networking. I am not sure what politicians wanting people to believe college doesn't matter is about. I wasn't aware any were pushing these thoughts.

6. AnonymousNovember 20,2024 at 2:52PM UTC

   I think you should take step back for a minute ,you are doing a good job you obviously know your job and are motivated to keep learning and keep

   progressing , find out to get one of those higher level jobs do you need a degree? If not don’t worry about it , getting a Degree may put you in a lot of debt and it doesn’t guarantee a job or a promotion so if it’s not required why do it ? Unless you want the degree then by all means go

   for it but it should be because you want it , and also let me ask if a job you were qualified for became available and obviously you are well liked would they give you the job while you got the degree if it’s required ? Just some food for thought ! Good luck your smart you k ow your job your learning take pride in that!

7. AnonymousNovember 20,2024 at 3:27PM UTC

   A college degree is not just "knowing stuff." If it was, no one would need one. A college degree is not a vocational school. A college degree, besides learning is about how to learn, how to apply learning, how to be a better thinker and a better human being. It is comprehensive. When you teach yourself, you can't possibly know what you missed or what you don't know. Obviously, I am a strong supporter of college degrees. But not every one wants one or needs one. If you feel a lack of a degree will prevent you from achieving promotions then it's a no brainer unless you are happy at the level you are. SNHU is a good choice. But look into colleges that allow credit for experience. Colleges where you can take one or two courses at a time and pay up front or in installments so you don't have to take out a loan. If you do want to finish faster and take out a loan, make sure you are getting the biggest "bang for your buck." This anti-education and anti-intellectual movement is stopping so many good people who are bright from reaching their highest levels of achievement. You may start out thinking you just want a promotion but you might be pleasantly surprised were a well earned degree can take you.

8. AnonymousNovember 20,2024 at 4:14PM UTC

   I understand a degree isn't "knowing" things, and there is way more that comes with a degree than just what's learned in the classroom.
   I'm really wondering if recruiters and managers look at resumes without a college degree but with adequate experience and examples of accomplishments in a negative light.

9. AyianNovember 22,2024 at 1:32PM UTC

   Hi, I'm an accountant with 22 years of experience. I can run circles around most CPAs, but I don't have a degree. Why not? Insufficient money and time plus family health issues and deaths, at varying intervals and combinations. A college degree is absolutely not required in most industries and jobs, it is simply a litmus test employers who got a degree use to determine an employee's worth and ability. A degree is an expensive completion prize. Once you have it, nearly no one asks about your GPA or your grades in a particular subject. Neither have I found that people who have degrees are better people or more learned. That's absolutely a condescending bias you've attained or developed that's hand in hand with your idea that an anti-education movement exists. Largely, people simply can't afford higher education, as subsidies federally and locally are much lower than they were 50+ years ago or non existent.

   My state just increased the income limit for subsidies at state universities, so I'll actually qualify. We'll see if the other variables that have made it untenable to complete a degree are balanced enough for now to complete it, but it won't be for me, rather it's for people and institutions who think that universities are the only way to higher learning. You know, like you.

10. Katherine NDNovember 20,2024 at 3:44PM UTC

    I have a college degree and realized the expectations of work was greater than my paycheck. Sometimes, I wish I did not have that degree.

11. AnonymousNovember 20,2024 at 4:11PM UTC

    I have noticed that people who don't have degrees are the only ones mentally obsessing about it.

    Don't worry about it.

    Seriously.

12. AnonymousNovember 20,2024 at 4:19PM UTC

    Thank you! I needed this. This has been eating me alive.

13. AnonymousNovember 20,2024 at 4:26PM UTC

    It depends.

    It is going to depend on what the job is, the employer, your competition for a role, etc.

    I am also ND (ADHD) and can tell you that high school and college was a horrible experience. The classes I excelled in were classes I found interesting but man did I struggle in everything else (finance, accounting, anything number related in general unless it was stats). I trudged through and finished. I wish I had been diagnosed at an earlier age as I likely would have managed school much better.

    But back to my 'it depends' response. If it comes down to you and another individual with equal experience, they will likely go with the other individual. If it comes to down you and individual with less experience, but they have a degree and you don't, they will likely win out. Your degree (or lack of a degree) may also figure into your compensation when those decisions are made.

14. AnonymousNovember 20,2024 at 5:08PM UTC

    I tried reading all of the responses but honestly stopped after reading the one stating you were coming across as arrogant. I don't think you are coming across as arrogant at all. I think you are simply explaining to us that you have excelled but you have a fear that if you want to climb higher a stumbling block is lack of a degree. Here is my advice as I am a former recruiter (placed top across the nation within an international company), college educated/degreed/ and now in higher ed helping top employers hire students in one of the top schools in the nation, YES, get your degree. And get it through a self paced program that allows you to learn at your pace. Not the traditional 4-year college. I returned to college to finish my education and boy did the doors open up. And I know a very large healthcare company that did lay offs. Guess who got laid off? Non-degreed people who were managers, spent their life there, all this to say, it is an investment in your future. Whether people believe one should have one is irrelevant. What matters is what YOU think you need or want. Personally, I felt a sense of accomplishment and in the words of my grandmother who was an educator, once you have a degree, it's yours, no one can ever take it from you. Also, look at your current company to see if they have an educational reimbursement type program. You will appear more attractive professionally to your company. Don't stop at the BA or BS, consider a masters too. Good luck with your decision!

15. WandaNovember 20,2024 at 6:12PM UTC

    While I'm a big proponent of attaining an education (post high school) I will concede, however, that it's not for everyone. There are individuals, such as yourself, who will probably take another path to success that won't necessarily include having a formal degree (I.e. think Bill Gates.) And no, you shouldn't feel ashamed or think less of yourself just because you don't. You're an individual with unique gifts and talents. It's who you are, and you should own it. With that being said, however, don't totally rule out any opportunities for continued education. Many colleges and universities today have online, and accelerated degree and certification programs geared towards those working adults. This might be a better option than sitting in a brick-and-mortar classroom. And as you've mentioned, there could be many opportunities ahead with restructuring and retirement that may require that you have some additional training. So, it might help to be prepared than not. All the best!.

16. Sharmil McKeeNovember 21,2024 at 4:13PM UTC

    I don't think a degree and industry-specific courses are mutually exclusive. However, if you want to learn whether a degree is valuable to hiring managers in your field, you may find insight from talking to hiring managers in your field.

    I am not hiring right now, but I have hired people in the past to work in my department (regulatory compliance). 95% of the time, I look for a degree. I don't care what school the person graduated from, but I care that the person graduated. Graduation shows resiliency and problem-solving skills. College is hard and finishing is even harder. It teaches time management and critical thinking skills. College exposes the person to diverse thinkers and people with different backgrounds. College exposes the person to a variety of subjects and situations. I want that person on my team. That's why I look for a degree.

    That being said, I am only one hiring manager in one specific field. There are millions of hiring managers and they may have a different viewpoint. I recommend chatting with a few. I think your question is valid and worthy of investigation. Good luck.

17. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistNovember 22,2024 at 1:33AM UTC

    As with most things when it comes to jobsearch and careers, it depends.

    Sometimes it depends on the company - I know of certain companies that you must have a college degree (and in others, an advanced degree past that) to be promoted past a certain level.

    Sometimes it depends on the hiring manager - I have certain hiring managers, that when I push back on requiring a degree, will accept experience in place of a degree.

    If you decided you wanted to get your degree, I don't think you'd be limited to just SNHU - lots of schools now have online programs.

    You don't say what you do, but for some positions things like specific certifications can go a long way.

    I would recommend you run some searches on job boards for positions you would be interested in for your next step - they should tell you right there what they're looking for.

    I suspect this would not be as much of an issue with your current company has it might be if you were looking to make a move to another company as your current company already knows your work.

    And if this is something you feel you want to do for you - to give you confidence, even if it may not be required for future positions - do what's best for you!

18. AnonymousNovember 22,2024 at 2:00PM UTC

    IMO, Education is making a comeback in consideration. It also isn't the same from company to company. If your role includes staying up on the newest tech, processes, programs used in your field, that will bring a lot of weight to the conversation. Certifications on continuing education and growth to bring value is also a big plus. When you get an interview I would practice your interviews and prepare very well. If they have an education requirement please understand that that may not be negotiable.

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