To be upset about ‘university blind’ recruitment

Apart from bragging rights was uni degree good for anything else the past 30 years?
Nope, for anyone who was doing everyday jobs. Probably because apart from a few examples, uni never thought anything you would use in a real job, so it’s irrelevant
Children who are academically inclined to this degree, should go into research fields where that matters.

This is the main advantage.

Its much easier to make a connection with the interviewers if you have common backgrounds.

Thats when it is obvious who went to Oxbridge and who went to Podunk U.

I think it's a good thing. Coming from an area where so many clever dc have so few opportunities it's important that the job market isn't missing these very bright people simply because they didn't go to 'the right university' etc. There will still be plenty of opportunities for your ds.

I work in a city institution that does blind interviews. Recruitment is not totally blind - applicants background is vetted by HR including university, background etc. They have some academic requirements. It is when the applicants get to interview that things are blind- interviewers do not get info in advance to avoid bias. Normally it does come out as the applicant can tell the interviewers.
your DS sounds like just the sort of applicant they would love! Hope he has a wonderful time at Cambridge.

Part of the major benefit of going to Oxford & Cambridge is the networking opportunities.

Don’t worry he will still have a better life than almost everyone in the country, that’s the overall concern right?

My eldest refused to even do A levels, he applied to college to learn a trade and that was that. I wasn't sure it was the right thing to do at the time but I wasn't going to try and make him do something he didn't want to do.

But this place is so full of posters that think they should have the last word on where their child goes to uni that I think they'd have a break down if their child refused to even do A levels

Every MNers child seems "bound for uni" even if they haven't even started school yet.

I'm not sure why mn have such a big thing about Russell group unis and I've been here for about 14 years now

Then again I dont know why there's such an obsession with uni anyway, some very bright people just aren't interested and would rather learn a trade but it's quite rare on here that people talk about that

Nah, it's too much big business, besides universities started back in the dark ages,

Personally I think the whole system went to shit when people started calling it "Uni"...

I think a lot of the University system is going to collapse in coming years, people aren't stupid, there's no point getting into debt to the tune of £50,000 plus to end up working in the same job as people who left school at 18. It'll go back to being Oxbridge, the Russell Group and maybe a few others, and everything else will be vocational based training. Which is probably how it always should have been,

Degrees don’t have the same value anymore. I never went to uni, all my friends did & I work the same grade as tonnes of people who went to uni.

going to a “top uni” shouldn’t hold any sway when applying for a job

Oh my wordddd.

A degree shows staying power, the ability to stick at something. Deferred gratification blah blah.

I was over 40 when I went for my interviews. I was offered every job I applied for. Because I had a bit more confidence in myself, not because I had a few letters after my name.

Was never asked my classifications in my degrees, just what I have degrees in. Nor was I asked where I got them.

@Poopoolittlekitten a horse using the Internet is very impressive!

There may be some companies who do this but there are plenty who don't. He may want to go into academia where the Cambridge degree will be very helpful. Either way he has shown great ability and determination to get this far and that will stand him in good stead for job applications, blind or not. The other big thing about Oxbridge is the approach to teaching which is extremely focused and hands on and so you are not just going for the job opportunities afterwards but for the quality of the experience whilst you are there.
I'd recommend not worrying about things that haven't happened and that are based on headlines from alarmist newspapers! He will be fine!

Covered what? What did he study?

What is your class / background, OP?

But it's prestigious because it's good!

Lol. Sure. It's not about the name prestige, AT ALL.

Hilarious.

I'd expect the candidates from top universities to be able to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the selection process. A PP said that blind selection didn't work because the graduates from top universities got most of the jobs anyway, but that doesn't mean blind selection hasn't worked. It means the top graduates have demonstrated they are better.

Some common sense.

OP seems to want to stop the clock at university entry. Kudos to her son in his achievements but for many jobs it's the finished product apon leaving university.

You go to Oxbridge for the quality of education offered, not because of the "brand name" on the degree certificate.

Tell her to keep going. I know someone with an Oxford degree who, after graduating, worked on the till in the co-op for 3 or 4 years due to not being able to get a job. After those years, got a good job in desired field.

What field does she want to work in?

science degrees are all different and are viewed differently by employers- if I am looking for a research associate or phd candidate I am looking for degrees with good research departments. If I am recruiting a tech or for a skills based job I will look at the ex-poly’s who produce graduates with those skills rather than the research focus.

I am so sorry about your DD, @bakebeans

I also wonder whether this is to do with her self presentation. Would she think about working with the Careers Service at her uni, likely for free, or even booking a couple of sesdiins with a private coach?

I know you say she is happy now so she may not want to revisit the situation, but we need scientists and she obviously has potential. The whole thing just seems very sad

Has she had someone review her CV and help with interview practice? I've seen some pretty shocking CVs from extremely capable people. I also know with my own kids they were 'interviewing' a lot , lot bet after some practice sessions. Uni careers services will often provide support after graduation, otherwise there are always local people you can ask for help.

Not aimed at your DD as I obviously don't know but a lot of people write degrees off as a waste of time and money because the DC don't walk into a job - but they have to put effort into CVs, application forms, interview and selection centre skills: