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HR Degrees - useful anymore?

Laura Fazackarley

Hi all, 

Interested in a discussion based around whether we think HR degrees are worth it?

Without being annoyingly vague, I mean are they worth the time/cost/effort for those fresh out of college when it seems the likelihood of securing an HR related role at the end of it is no greater weighted in the graduates favour when compared to non-graduates (I appreciate there are many other factors at play such as availability of roles and interview technique) but wanted opinions of others. 

I'm beginning to feel that those thinking of studying an HR degree are being promised/led to believe something that is unlikely to be achieved - they 'seem' to stand the same chance as someone with non-HR work experience getting entry-level roles into HR (maybe even less chance as they are new to the recruitment process). And no chance with non-entry level roles. So, in simplistic terms, is it the work experience that has more impact than the degree? 

Full disclosure - I worked, got into HR and did my studies alongside this, but I am mentoring a few graduates who are hitting the barrier of "no HR experience" and quite frankly, I feel like if I get someone coming to me thinking of signing up to a degree in HR I might say don't bother, go and work, and get insight into HR that way, then get your qualifications... is it like this for others? Does anyone recruit HR graduates with no experience (and not as part of a graduate scheme)? If so, what makes them stand out?

Many thanks, 

Laura

PS going down the voluntary work experience route for those I'm mentoring as a way to try and overcome the barrier! 

Parents
  • I don't expect this to be popular :-) but I think broadly HR should aim to be a graduate level profession recognising the analytical, problem solving, thinking, research etc skills that a properly structure and well taught graduate program brings. (and we think Finance, Teaching, Nursing etc are all graduate professions so its not that radical - I believe even the police service is as part of it apprentice strategy). And its best not to be drawn on subjective debates about the quality of degrees now versus whenever then was ....

    That doesn't mean that every body coming into the profession should automatically be a graduate as there will always be multiple routes but that (for me) is the professional standard. But that its probably an 80:20 thing for me.

    However I am less concerned personally with the degree subject and believe that many (although not necessarily every) courses equips people with the skills necessary to learn and develop as good HR professionals. Indeed there are other courses that possibly give more long term advantages over a purely HR degree. Its a bit like politicians only ever doing politics - they lack the real world experience.

    I am also not a huge fan to put it mildly of master level qualifications gained without experience - I think thats simply missing the real opportunity of masters level studying and setting most candidates up for disappointment and frustration.

    Finally and I really am not that elitist I do think that even with a degree you need to gain a good grounding of the basics of HR in entry level roles. A degree isn't the ticket (and never was) to fast forwarding but for some routes should simply be the ticket to play.
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