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Reader Feedback: Degree Discrimination

October 01, 2006 — CIO —

Reader Feedback

Degree Discrimination?

Once again, an article in CIO magazine about IT recruiting woes and the dearth of skilled prospects ["How to Hook the Talent You Need," Sept. 1]. And once again, not a single mention of the large percentage of the general population being blatantly passed over because of their lack of a college degree. I powered my way through the entire article, wincing all the way. "Enrollment in U.S. computer science and engineering programs has plunged five straight years" (Page 40), "recruit them out of the university" (Page 42), and so on and so on.

To be fair, perhaps I missed an article you may have published extolling the virtues of hiring experienced, qualified, hardworking, nondegreed professionals to fill your IT hiring needs. But I seem to catch article after article that laments the lack of IT grads, and in almost every one of those articles, not one time does anyone offer the hiring of people without degrees as a possible solution to the dilemma.

I have 10 years of IT experience, from setting up PCs to configuring networking gear to writing training documentation to leading integration efforts. I am a certified Project Management Professional. I even have a NetWare certification. I have done customer service from the help desk all the way to the executive suite. Yet, time after time, no matter how skilled and talented I am or how respected I am by my peers, coworkers and superiors, my r¿m¿s sent straight to the circular file by someone in HR who was told to prefer those with a degree.

Just like anyone over 50 with a little gray in their hair who now faces the very real problem of age discrimination, those without a college degree are facing discrimination of their own. Forgive me if my sentences are long and rambling. Obviously, I have been impaired by my lack of a college degree, and thus, my ability to clearly communicate suffers greatly. I would ask some of the world"s richest and most successful people, like Bill Gates, Larry Ellison and Michael Dell, for help in writing this letter. Alas, they too are without degrees. It"s a wonder their companies ever succeeded. The time has come to separate one"s intelligence and capabilities from one"s academic standing.

Toby Fruth, PMP
Consultant

This is not as crazy as it sounds. Chris Stockley of Skanska is absolutely correct. Technical skills should be the last criterion during a selection process. Today"s technical skills may be redundant tomorrow—some skills that have a bit longer life are comprehension, analytical abilities, interpersonal adeptness, confidence, ability and attitude to take on new challenges.

 

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