Rethinking College Degrees for Professional Jobs

Back in 2006-2007 I gave a series of talks to public sector HR professionals around the country on recruiting and testing best practices.? In those years I practically kept a copy of the Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures under my pillow (why it’s not on Audible.com yet I can’t imagine).? One of my primary themes in those talks was the need to abandon the college degree requirement for professional jobs, in favor of skill-based hiring.? As a job requirement, college degrees introduce some of the greatest adverse impact in selection, while providing mediocre prediction of job success.? In recent years, there has been a growing interest in this debate, especially as alternative roads to career success become increasingly common.?

Traditionally, higher education has been seen as a prerequisite for many careers, with employers often requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher. However, research from the psychometric community and insights from institutions like the Harvard Business School cast doubt on this approach. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind reevaluating the necessity of college degrees for professional employment.

?Why the College Degree?

There are three reasons for requiring a college degree.? The first is statutory.? There are jobs that, by statute or other pre-requisite from an authorizing body, require a degree.? This group is not our concern.? The second reason is to narrow the band of job applicants and reduce the pool to a manageable number.? The third reason is as a means of predicting skills, such as critical thinking, reading, writing, and problem solving.? It is in these latter two cases that the college degree requirement fails.? ?Reducing the applicant pool to a manageable number is a logical strategy, but only effective if it does not also eliminate quality applicants.? Unfortunately the degree requirement may be doing exactly that.? As for predicting skills, the evidence is very mixed.

?Lack of Direct Correlation

?Studies within the psychometric community have demonstrated that the correlation between possessing a college degree and job performance is not strong. Some individuals who hold degrees may not excel in their roles, while others who lack degrees can prove to be highly capable and effective. This suggests that educational attainment does not consistently predict professional success.? This is because college degrees are a mediocre predictor of skills, especially critical thinking and problem solving, writing, and reading comprehension, which are often the skills employers intend the degree requirement to predict.

?Evolving Workforce Demands

?The job market is evolving rapidly, with emerging industries such as technology and data science placing a premium on skills rather than degrees. Many professionals in these fields have gained their expertise through self-study, coding bootcamps, and online courses. Harvard Business School’s research indicates that skill-based certifications, real-world project experience, and continuous learning can be more valuable indicators of a candidate’s competence than a degree.

Financial Considerations

?Pursuing a college degree can be financially burdensome, often resulting in substantial student loan debt. In contrast, individuals who choose not to pursue traditional higher education can enter the workforce earlier, gain work experience, and start earning money without accumulating debt. The opportunity cost of attending college can be significant, especially if the knowledge and skills required for the job can be acquired through other means.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

?Many experts argue that overemphasizing the importance of a college degree can lead to the exclusion of individuals from underrepresented groups. When job qualifications are broadened to include alternative paths to competence, it can open doors for a more diverse and inclusive workforce. Harvard Business School’s research highlights the importance of fostering an inclusive work environment that values different backgrounds and experiences.

?Rapidly Changing Fields

?In industries where technology and knowledge are constantly evolving, a college degree earned several years ago may not necessarily reflect the most current and relevant information. The psychometric community suggests that professional certifications, continuous learning, and adaptability are essential in today’s fast-paced job landscape.

?Alternative Evaluation Methods

?In response to these challenges, some organizations are shifting their hiring practices to focus on skills assessments, competency-based interviews, and performance evaluations. These methods offer a more accurate picture of an individual’s qualifications and potential contributions to the workplace, independent of their educational background.

Employers should continue to reassess their hiring criteria to ensure they are best suited to the dynamic and diverse nature of the modern job market.? If you’re interested in reading more on this topic, I’ve included a few key articles below as a starting point.

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Skills-Based Hiring Is on the Rise (hbr.org)

Why Employers Must Stop Requiring College Degrees For Middle-Skill Jobs (forbes.com)

The Disparate Racial Impact of Requiring a College Degree - WSJ