Cannot progress without a degree... 😡

[Hmmmmminteresting]

I'm early 30s. I chose not to go to uni and to instead do 2 years at a business college (qualifications do not equal a degree, they were less). I then was promoted to an office manager at the age of 22 to 25, managing 17 people. Since moved on to a job I love and have been there 7 years. In this company you cannot progress without a degree. They are 100% adamant, 2:1 or more is minimum. They dont take any of your history into account. So many people getting promoted above me with no managerial experience but have a degree in random subjects not relevant. A few have since left as they just weren't suitable for that role.
I know I could do it and I have been told by so many others that it's frustrating I'm not qualified enough as I would be first choice.
AIBU to think this is a pretty old fashioned way of thinking?
I dont want to leave the company, I just wish they would change their rules.

The OU is great, I’m doing my Master’s there and I like it more than a brick university.

I used to work in offices in London as a PA/EA/office manager and most City jobs like that want a degree these days.

@flowery the OP's company is international so they can argue they need staff to have degrees to allow them to send staff to work aboard for varying lengths of time. What is odd, as PP have mentioned, is that there is no training budget to allow the OP to get a relevant postgraduate - Masters - degree.

Oddly I had a conversation with a friend of mine
a few years ago where I had to explain why for certain roles in her company, the company couldn't ask for degree qualified candidates. That's because her company was wholly UK based so asking for a degree would discriminate against older workers who were more likely to be able to do the roles.

”flowery the OP's company is international so they can argue they need staff to have degrees to allow them to send staff to work aboard for varying lengths of time.”

OP has said absolutely nothing to suggest that’s the case at all. Nothing to suggest that is the justification being used. In fact she has been clear it applies to all manager roles across the board, not just those where there is any realistic prospect of postings overseas.

I'm starting a degree at 43. Off my own back. I don't have to but like you, I know I can, so I want to challenge myself and achieve something I've always been to scared to do. I'm not saying you're to scared to, but if you believe you can do it, why not do it. You are young, you love the company, you can do the job standing on your head, so why not. Do you have to fund it yourself or would your company help with costs?

Has anyone got any tips on how to study full time with a job, a pre schooler and not many hours during the day? I want to complete my degree. I've had to put it on hold since I had DD.

@SlothHouse - I started my degree with twins in yr1 at primary school, and did it through the OU. Give the OU a call to find out your options they are very helpful - good luck

@Hmmmmminteresting, whilst I understand your point, don't dismiss the opportunity, if you are good at your job they will not want to lose you, so negotiate terms.

If you have already done 2 years at a business college those credits may go towards your degree so you may have less studying to do than you think. The company can never take a degree away from you, if you have the opportunity go for it.

I'm on the opposite side of this. I'm too old at 56... I have 4 A levels, 2 grade A, 2 B, an honours degree in English and French, a postgrad diploma for personal assistants, postgrad diploma in personnel management, graduate member of CIPD, Master degree in Human Resources Management with distinction, Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management, plus 31 years' experience. I just got passed over for promotion by someone half my age with a degree.

Life is shit, and then you die.

@slothhouse the OU is usually amenable to FT BUT lots of people I know can't do it for final year. You can risk dropping chapters in the books for most courses in year 2 but it is not worth it in final year. It does depend on course though..