To be upset about ‘university blind’ recruitment

YABU.
Are you assuming there is absolutely no benefit of going to a top school, beyond a line on the CV? If you think that, you will be sorely disappointed to hear that after a few years' of experience, the degree on the CV, grades etc will matter very little. I have a friend who dropped out of a uni, got good jobs and secured a senior position at a well known company. This was 10+ years ago, at the time, the company only considered university graduates with 2.1 for graduate program. However, since he had lots of relevant experience, they didn't care and went straight to the position he deserved.

Having a Cambridge degree will still be a massive benefit, but it won't get automatically get him a job!

what the hell is the point of going to a top Uni if no one will know about it

Er… to get a top education? To mix with different circles of people than you mixed with in secondary school? Build a network of connections that cross social class boundaries?

This post is the equivalent of someone asking why buy a luxury brand if people won’t know it was expensive. 🙄

What's the point of working hard in Oxbridge, getting through an academically rigourous Oxbridge degree if it doesn't help in the job market?

But I should point out that in most OU STEM courses up to 80% is only a 2:1. The standard of marking and expectations of the student is similar to an online masters - it’s why OU grads tend to be sought after by Oxbridge PHD / Masters.

You’re comparing apples and oranges here.

A teenager who partied in Bristol, wasn’t motivated, them got a 3rd which (presumably) hampered their chances of working in the field is going to work much, much harder when they get their second chance.

Haha! Thanks!

It’s not that I can’t see what OP means if that’s her concern, but she hasn’t said ahh that is the concern once until you brought it up and is much more fixated on why should a ‘crap’ uni graduate have the same class as her son (who doesn’t even have it yet!) and is quite ok with the blind process when it benefits her child. It just seems very selfish and all about how great her kid is. And it’s not a good look.

This.

Plus his extensive network of alumi (aka the old boys club).

Plus, if the degree is SO superior to the dummy applicants from hertfordshire surely that will stand out in his applications.

You seem to me moaning your son can't exercise his vast privilege to get a step ahead in job applications.

A relative of mine got a 2:1 degree in statistics from a very good Scottish university. He went to interview for his first job along with four of his classmates who also had 2:1 degrees. The workplace was looking for what made them different. What other skills do they have that makes them stand out as a good fit for the company. This is where blind recruitment is useful as it allows the best candidates to sell themselves and get the job based on their own experience and merits not just their academic achievements.

I posted this earlier but I think it depends a lot on the course. I have degrees from Oxbridge, a middle tier uni and the OU. My OU Open degree comprised totally random modules, both science and arts subjects. Some were incredibly difficult (as hard as Oxbridge) and others were a walk in the park (easier than A level). Most I found comparable to the middle tier uni.

Someones degree is such a small part of the recruitment process. I think you are placing far too much emphasis on it. For my sector, candidates face a barage of tests and multiple panel interviews. What university they studied at has absolutely nothing to do with that process.

Seven years later though! I doubt most employers care about your degree at that point, it's all about work experience by then.

Fwiw not everyone bothers to claim theirs either.

Also OP take advantage of all the other things a prestigious uni has to offer. Learning to network, be assertive, etc.
Coming from a 'lower class' background in a foreign country I'd say that's one of the biggest benefits I got from LSE. My confidence and ability to make new contacts has stood me in good stead.
The sheer academic difficulty of my degree? not so much.

Looking at grades and equating it to jobs is a common WC mistake

My DH has a First from Uni of Herts, he’s been very successful and built a brilliant career. The Uni offers some unique courses which are sought after. His fellow Herts graduates have also done very well in their careers.

It’s great that your son has been offered a place at Cambridge. Don’t worry about the future, celebrate his achievement and he’ll have a ball there. None of us know what’s around the corner …

@Newname576 @Katesdeadbehindtheeyes
You are both missing the point.
It's not that a Cambridge degree is equal to a 'lower ranked' uni. Far from it.

But for most large graduate intakes, especially as your son is reading History, the quality of his degree does not matter. Soft skills are more important.

When you go for graduate schemes there are multiple rounds of online tests, interviews etc. People who pass those are deemed to have the necessary skills! E.g. you have to do a presentation when given a case study to read, write a written report under time pressure etc.

Now, as I have said elsewhere it's not true that recruiting is university blind, a prestigious degree still stands you in good stead abroad and with a lot of niche employers like boutique investment banks. And a lot of these still bother to visit only elite university campuses.

However... getting a job was NEVER 'just' about the degree. You might not realise this coming from a WC background but if you hadn't known, and your son had just focused on studying he might be at a disadvantage coming out the other end because he'd have nothing to say in competency based interviews. Someone with an Oxbridge first and no extracurriculars is less employable than someone from a lower ranked uni with loads of work experience.

Tell your son to focus on a job from day one, visit the career center, go to all the panel events, apply for Spring Weeks. And don't bother with a First over a 2:1 if it comes at the expense of good extracurriculars like being a club president , big volunteering project, etc.

Yes because reading and chatting about a teen romance is totally comparable to a science based on mathematics. 🤪

Lol, I did quantum mechanics in A level Physics and you think that is Uni level
I studied Romeo and Juliet at 14 and at undergraduate. 🤷‍♀️

@PyjamaFan

Then why could I only achieve a third at the University of Bristol, but could easily get a first with the OU? If they're the same standard, I'd have 2 first class degree's, but a change from a 3rd to a 1st is telling

Also quantum mechanics isn't something I'd categorize as especially difficult for a science undergraduate

Lol, I did quantum mechanics in A level Physics and you think that is Uni level🥹

Wow.

As someone studying for an OU science degree as a mature student, whilst working full time I find your comments offensive and untrue. My first year level general science module included quantum mechanics ffs!

I have a previous degree and an MA and the OU degree IS NOT EASIER!!

When the OU was set up the degrees were purposefully rigorous because there was a concern that some employers would have your ridiculous view.

You are wrong.

I agree with this.

The numbers of people in politics, media, etc who all went to the same schools and universities is an absolute scandal.
I'm glad that things are being put into place to stop it.

And OP, you can't pick and choose just to suit your children. Blind in terms of name is OK but not university? Sounds extremely selfish.

An oxbridge degree will still get you ahead in plenty of industries, mine included - which is not right - but if a non privileged kid had managed to get one I would want them to take full advantage of it. I would love to see less privileged people rising to the top in my industry, even things out a bit

Mature students who study 30-60 credits at a time(max) while working full time should be getting 1sts or high 2:1s.

@Digitallis

Are you willyfully missing the point that I have done BOTH degrees.

I got a 3rd class degree from the University of Bristol because it was HARD.

I got a 1st class degree from the Open University because it was EASY.

Both science. I literally have done both, my degree with the Open University was way, way, way easier than the University of Bristol Degree.

Are the establishments really elitist if they assess applicants holistically and on merit and engage in widening participation? Unlike the USA you can't pay your way to get in.

We currently have a young man in our team who has an Oxbridge degree. He regularly turns up late and takes long lunches, he does half as much work as his non-Oxbridge colleagues, and lies blatantly whenever called out. His manager has done her best in terms of explaining to him that he is in danger of not passing probation, making allowances, agreeing an improvement plan, etc and her reward was to be the subject of a personal complaint. His colleagues hate working with him because he is blatantly taking the piss.

University-blind recruiting would probably help Oxbridge candidates in our team, because following this experience no-one is remotely keen.