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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! 

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  • Thanks all - seems its not just me then which is always handy to know.

    Interesting points raised - the challenging thing is that the graduates I am mentoring are not securing anything beyond a pre-screen call because they lack practicible experience, so although their degree is getting them a call, its not doing anymore than that so the concept of being 'the ticket to play' isn't reflected from the hiring managers.

    Its been a shock to some of them, because they've been encouraged to think that their investment in their HR related studies will pay off (in terms of a role, not high salary) pretty quickly. Seems a mismatch with the long-tail education process so given me some things to think about in terms of solutions to suggest to future college leavers.
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  • Thanks all - seems its not just me then which is always handy to know.

    Interesting points raised - the challenging thing is that the graduates I am mentoring are not securing anything beyond a pre-screen call because they lack practicible experience, so although their degree is getting them a call, its not doing anymore than that so the concept of being 'the ticket to play' isn't reflected from the hiring managers.

    Its been a shock to some of them, because they've been encouraged to think that their investment in their HR related studies will pay off (in terms of a role, not high salary) pretty quickly. Seems a mismatch with the long-tail education process so given me some things to think about in terms of solutions to suggest to future college leavers.
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  • in reply to Laura Fazackarley
    But arguably it is a ticket to play because they are getting the screening call,,,,,they then aren't converting this ticket into an opportunity because of how they perform.

    they could have been rejected based on their CV (when their lack of experience was clear) but they get beyond that stage. Often hiring managers give an easy answer to why someone isn't progressed rather than a more detailed and complete answer.

    So I would get them to focus on how they perform on the screening call.
  • in reply to Keith
    Hi Keith,

    Respectfully disagree to a degree - they are providing the examples on the screening call that they can - e.g. all course based, not work based. Yes, some get nervous and need to refine answers but would say that applies to most who are new the recruitment process.

    The CV probably ticks enough requirements on an applicant tracking system list, because the skills you mentioned are demontrated [through the degree], likewise all the HR terminology is there because of their courses.

    Kind regards,
    Laura
  • in reply to Laura Fazackarley
    Thats not my experience. If anyone is doing screening calls then eliminating people because they don't have experience that was clearly missing on their CV then they aren't doing their job properly and wasting theirs and the candidates time.

    I really would be spending my time coaching them on getting through the stage they are failing (ie the screening call)