[ILUG] OT: A university degree is required. Why?

[Noirin Plunkett]

I don't work for google, or in any kind of HR capacity, so take this as you will

On 4/28/06, Andrew Court <syklops at gmail.com> wrote:

> My question is Why is a university degree required. It does not state
> what the degree should be in. If I had a degree in Arts or Music from
> Trinity and had the relevent experience, could I be considered?

Probably, yes. Some of the best technical people I know have degrees
in Arts), and at least one has a degree in Music (not from Trinity). I
have absolutely no doubt that these people would be considered for
jobs in Google if they applied - although they'd probably be regarded
as overqualified for a Data Centre Technician job.

> Also, following on from the thread "Whatever happened to real computer
> scientists?" the new breed of CS students coming don't seem to be
> equipped with the old-school skills. Would a candidate from one of
> those courses actually be any good at the job?

It's impossible to say whether any individual would be good at a job,
purely based on the degree they've earned. A degree isn't usually
proof of anything more than the ability to apply yourself to something
for 3+ years. Depending on the field, it may also suggest that you've
learnt the skills of independent research, writing comprehensibly, and
passing exams.

It's entirely possible to come out of a Music degree and make an
excellent techie - and just as possible to come out of a degree in CS
and be a lousy one. That's why Google aren't just asking for a degree.

> I have 4 years linux experience, 4 with PC Hardware, 5 with
> troubleshooting OS and Network equipment. I lack the degree and
> therefore will not be applying. If anyone from Google is reading this,
> I think your missing out. I dont mean me, I mean lots of people who
> have tons of experience in the areas that are important to them, but
> dont have the required degree in Womens Studies, that will get them
> into the club.

Google don't actually specify a subject requirement - at least, not
for their Data Centre Technicians. They also *do* hire people without
degrees - although again, I don't know if that applies to the position
above.

> Any one any comments?

Frankly, Google can pick who they want. Their ability to hire seems to
be constrained only by their HR department - they don't seem to be
lacking in excellent candidates.

If you have enough experience to convince a recruiter, and later
several technical staff, that you are what they want, it's entirely
possible you'll get hired, regardless of qualifications. A degree is
simply a tool to help convince them.

Yes, the lack of a degree may exclude you from a relatively junior
position in Google, because there are so many equally-well qualified
candidates with degrees. But if you continue to gain experience, there
may come a stage where you don't need the degree. A degree doesn't
prove you can do the job - it's just a front-line tool for sorting,
when there are significantly more good candidates than jobs, and
sufficiently few specialist/highly skilled abilities required.

Noirin