Is A Degree Really Necessary?

Question:

Why do so many secretarial jobs now require you to have a college degree? What college course teaches you how to answer the phone and type, organize an office, prepare travel and expense reports, etc.? Isn't this just a way of saying they want a young person?

Answer:

A cynic would say that employers require applicants for secretarial jobs to have a bachelor’s degree because they can. Some statistics would support that idea.

Today, many jobs require a degree, even though they didn’t in the past, and even though people who hold that job title now don’t have one. Yet they do their jobs quite successfully. Examples include not only administrative professionals, but also supervisors, training and development specialists, computer user-support specialists, and human resources assistants.

But also nowadays, many folks with degrees are looking for work. If all other things are equal (and they rarely are), many employers would prefer a secretary with a degree of some sort. Everyone loves a bargain, and wants to get as much as possible for the lowest cost. Employers may assume that someone with a degree has developed more advanced knowledge, organizational skills, and even maturity than one without a diploma. In the old days, employers were more inclined to provide training on the job; now many have minimized that, in favor of people who are perceived to be able to “hit the ground running.”

There are secretarial schools, as well as online programs and classes at community colleges. But as you note, many of the skills you need for this job are developed best by experience.

Your network, including LinkedIn connections, will also be very valuable to you. A previous employer’s recommendation can take you a long way. A smart hiring manager will recognize all the skills you bring to the job.

Your question sounds as if your greater concern may be age discrimination, though. If that’s the case, you will need to show an employer that experience is more valuable than a degree (which most would agree is especially true in your field.) You might get some good tips from the FCWS seminar Not Just a Number, which deals with concerns from older workers. Check FrederickWORKS.com/events to see when the next class is.

Is it worth going back to school to get a degree, so that you can become a secretary? That’s a decision only you can make. You can get advice and support at FCWS to make that decision, and to find out what other options are available. Don’t hesitate to seek additional help.