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.

It’s ludicrous OP

And OU is expensive

I do know someone who battled through without but she is 45

Sadly, in your age group it might be a given

Might it better to train in something with more immediate rewards e.g. working in accountancy and training one day a week?

I don't actually think it's old fashioned, I think it's a relatively recent thing, but I'm coming up against it too (looking to move back into the workforce after 10 years of successful self-employment) and I agree it can be incredibly frustrating.

When you say your work 'won't consider anyone' have you really followed that through, ie raised it properly with HR, suggested a working group to look at benchmarking, got a senior person on board? It won't change at application level...

And of course, the first question I'd be asking work is 'if you value me, will you support me through a degree?' You may not have to start from scratch with the qualifications and experience you have, and you may actually enjoy it. I also know of a 53 year old who is going through a workplace apprenticeship that will give him a degree equivalent...

Failing all that, look elsewhere - it's their loss!

YANBU, but you have 2 options, do a degree (maybe they will pay for you to do it?) or find another job.

To all the people saying get a degree it's not as easy as that. You've got to be able to afford to start with
It is as easy as that, you get a student loan and you can fit OU round work and family/whatever other commitments you have.

No, its not as easy as that. Even if you can find the money, OU courses have a mandatory residential course - if you are a single parent with no support or a carer, its impossible to find someone to mind your kids for two weeks.

@Thelnebriati not all OU courses have this, they changed it some years ago because it wasn't inclusive. shame cos I loved the residential

So either look for another employer or get a degree.

I sat in an interview for a large multi national tech company once for an EA contract role where the Senior Director told me interviewing me was a waste of his time as I didn’t have a degree. The VP gave me the role, I excelled at it, but I never forgot how the SD made me feel worthless. I decided I’d never let anyone make me feel that way again. I’ve done my undergrad part time, graduating with a First, and am completing my Masters. If you’re not in a position to create the rules, you have to live by their rules. If you’re motivated, you’ll find the time and money to get your degree.

What are you talking about "finding money". If it's part time it is over 25% intensity and if you haven't used your "allowance" you can get a student loan (in England).

I understand why a company wants their employees to have a degree. Studying for a degree changes the way you analyse, make decisions, manage your time, and most importantly it teaches you to think critically. Don’t underestimate the value of higher education.

Yanbu to feel annoyed about it, but you would be unreasonable if you now know about it and choose to moan about it and have no intention of leaving.

If you want to move higher up then you should look for another job elsewhere.

If you have ambitions to move into a higher role then why would you stay somewhere that will stunt your career?

OP, you sound rather like my SIL. She left school with only GCSEs, no A levels.

After a number of years managing a significant number of staff, she was accepted by the Open University for an MBA, a post grad qualification, effectively leap-frogging a degree. And it only took her 2 years of home study!

In my workplace the office manager who manages the secretarial staff is a very well regarded, senior role.

Held by a 22 year old with only a few years experience?

at 24 he is earning more than all my friends DC who are around 30 who have degrees

Statistics say this won’t be the case for long. It is generally around the age of 30 where the gap between degree and non degree employee salary starts to widen. Having degree + experience gets a higher salary and at 5 years experience it matters less whether you have 5 years or 10 years in a role.

If it really upsets you I would call ACAS and discuss it. I think but could be wrong an employment tribunal has in the past found this as age discrimination as effectively all the younger members of staff were getting promoted. Obviously it would be a lot more complicated than that but worth looking into got anyone in a similar situation.

If talk to your manager and present a plan whereby you do the higher job on a bit less money and they fund you through OU. You then commit to x years with them and present plan on how your chosen degree will be utilised to help them. May well not work... but you’d be in no worse a position.

Hi OP, it will depend on the job. If you are doing accountancy most companies expect you to have a relevant degree. Have you discussed with your manager and HR the possibility of doing a part-time Degree course.

Show them you’re serious and do a distance learning degree part time. Otherwise look for another job.

, OU courses have a mandatory residential course

No they don't, they got rid of this years ago. I did my BSc with them from 2005 and didn't have to do a residential. It also didn't cost me a penny due to low income, it's not always expensive.

Held by a 22 year old with only a few years experience?

Age wasn't a relevant qualification for the role.

Yabu you can’t have it both ways. Either do the work and get the degree, or don’t, and accept the limitations. That’s why people spend the time, the cost and do the work of a degree. YABU to think you should get the benefit of it without actually doing the work.

They value a paper qualification that someone could have got decades ago over a proven ability to do the job.
Fuck em. Look for the exit.

''There are many Open University modules with a residential school component. These last from one day to a full week and are based at universities, hotels, conference and field study centres in the UK and mainland Europe.''
css2.open.ac.uk/resschools/AboutResSchools.aspx

It’s ridiculous under the circumstances. You’ve worked there that long and proved your worth. From what you’re saying, you could no doubt manage the job. So why they would prefer someone who has a ‘2:1 degree’ but no work experience etc over you.

What do they think that the degree holder will have over you?? Getting a 2:1 degree is manageable for most people as long as they put in the effort. It doesn’t mean they’re smarter or more equipped than you just because you’ve not met the academic threshold. You’ve gained the knowledge in practice as oppose to on paper.

Years ago a degree was worth something. Now unless it’s from a top uni, they’re not always worth the paper they’re written on. Many people get on without a degree.....

BTW I do have an 2:1 hind degree myself and I’m pretty sure someone that’s worked in the company for years would be better than me just because I’ve got the academic background. Also I’m no brain box. I had to put the effort in but if I can do it then most people can!!!

*honuors I mean