HR Degrees - useful anymore?

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 was able to achieve Level 7 whilst working as an Administrator, but that was pretty much exclusively based on academic research - I feel I would have found it far more beneficial completing it and using experience after I had progressed to an Advisor. However the dilemma is whether I would have progressed without studying, as my progression was based on a requirement for Level 5 / 7.

    When in university I worked in office roles (one general office, two in HR) during the summer months via an agency and I found that far more beneficial when attending my first HR Administrator interview than my degree, which was pretty much glossed over.

    My advice would be to gain experience wherever possible, which can be done alongside study.
Reply
  • I was able to achieve Level 7 whilst working as an Administrator, but that was pretty much exclusively based on academic research - I feel I would have found it far more beneficial completing it and using experience after I had progressed to an Advisor. However the dilemma is whether I would have progressed without studying, as my progression was based on a requirement for Level 5 / 7.

    When in university I worked in office roles (one general office, two in HR) during the summer months via an agency and I found that far more beneficial when attending my first HR Administrator interview than my degree, which was pretty much glossed over.

    My advice would be to gain experience wherever possible, which can be done alongside study.
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