If an employer questions your degree during an interview?

[clep3705]

I can recall several times at different companies when a job applicant was viewed disfavorably because the degree was from the University of Phoenix or DeVry. Had the degree been from TE or CO State College, I doubt there would have been a problem. State College just sounds more credible to some people. Sometimes just out of curiousity an unfamiliar college or university name will prompt a question of "Oh, where's that?" The nice thing about TESC and COSC is that you can name one specific state. That keeps them from being lumped with the University of Phoenix.

If you like the University of Phoenix, that's fine with me. I'm not judging it. I'm only pointing out that I really have seen degrees questioned. I'm also not addressing if degrees should be questioned.

Usually degrees don't get questioned. But sometimes they do. If your degree gets questioned, you probably don't want to work there. Apply somewhere else. There is a place where you will be appreciated. That's where you want to work.

[Ace_King]

I agree. I was actually thinking of going with COSC now since it's cheaper of the big three. Either way, which ever I choose I am going with a master's at the end of the day from a B&M school. Not saying employers will totally ignore my undergrad but...it will be much better to have that Masters from a B&M school in my opinion..

[bawhitsett]

I agree. I was actually thinking of going with COSC now since it's cheaper of the big three. Either way, which ever I choose I am going with a master's at the end of the day from a B&M school. Not saying employers will totally ignore my undergrad but...it will be much better to have that Masters from a B&M school in my opinion..

I concur 100%.

[burbuja0512]

I have never been in an interview nor interviewed anyone where classes taken was a topic for discussion. If someone has talked about school, it's been because they didn't have enough relevant experience and were being considered for an entry level position. I have interviewed people from a wide range of schools, from UoP to state U, to well-known private colleges. The only person who made a big deal about it was the MBA student who insisted that she would be in executive management once she graduated. (Yes you've probably heard me complain about this interview before and no she didn't get the job)

If you truly don't have any work experience whatsoever regardless of whether tested out of your degree, you should seriously consider an internship or volunteer to enhance your resume otherwise an interview could be difficult. Even then, I don't see a reason to say that you tested out of your degree. Most people have never heard of CLEP so it would just bring unnecessary confusion to the interview. Employers want to know why you are capable of doing the job. Since liberal arts and business school (many of us here) don't prepare you for the working world, school wouldn't be nearly as relevant as an actual job.

[rebel100]

If you truly don't have any work experience whatsoever regardless of whether tested out of your degree, you should seriously consider an internship or volunteer to enhance your resume otherwise an interview could be difficult. Even then, I don't see a reason to say that you tested out of your degree. Most people have never heard of CLEP so it would just bring unnecessary confusion to the interview. Employers want to know why you are capable of doing the job. Since liberal arts and business school (many of us here) don't prepare you for the working world, school wouldn't be nearly as relevant as an actual job.

Excellent advice!

[ryoder]

burbuja is right on the money. School is school and the degree will not make up for ineptitude. I have known many people with masters degrees who were unable to produce good code as an entry level developer.
Then there are those like me who have no degree (waiting till June) and are doing very well in business.
I have always knocked the ball out of the park in an interview.

So definitely learn as much as you can while studying but do not think that having a test out degree is going to hurt you. If it ever did, it would be for your first job only. Once you are past your first job, the degree becomes less and less important every year.

[learflyer]

Interviewer: "Tell me about your college." Yes, I attended Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, New Jersey where I graduated with a BS in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Interviewer: "I am not familiar with Thomas Edison." It is part of the state college system in New Jersey along with Rutgers.

Winner!!:hurray:

[Ace_King]

:hurray: Lol!

[valsacar]

No offense to those who are alumni of EC but this is one of the BIG reasons why I switched to TESC in the end. Who knows if I'll ever be questioned about my undergrad education but if I am it will be a whole lot easier to explain TESC as a state school versus EC as a private school when it comes to no residency requirements and theoretically being able to test out of everything. I personally am glad the process is there, but to be honest, it's also easy to see why an outsider would view it to be millish.

Really, EC has a pretty good reputation (especially in military circles). The few times someone has asked me where I was doing my degree and didn't know Excelsior College I mentioned that they used to be Regents College, which has always resulted in them knowing where it is as commenting that it's a good school.

[burbuja0512]

Really, EC has a pretty good reputation (especially in military circles). The few times someone has asked me where I was doing my degree and didn't know Excelsior College I mentioned that they used to be Regents College, which has always resulted in them knowing where it is as commenting that it's a good school.

I don't think anyone I know would question EC. I think it's a little easier if you can say that you went to a state college, but there's nothing wrong with a private college at all. Lots of great schools are privately owned! I also wouldn't assume that anyone else out there would have any clue about residency requirements and testing requirements. Very very few people ever think about this sort of thing.

I also agree with the UoP, DeVry, etc comments. It's sad because people spend so much money and time at these schools, but I think it's just our nature to distrust colleges that advertise heavily. You just think 'wow, these guys will accept anyone with cash.' None of the Big 3 fall into this category. No the Big 3 aren't prestigious, but they're relatively anonymous, which is good for us.