College degree needed to be a secretary

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Uhh, did you read my post? I wrote that job apps do not ask for age or birth dates. I did not address requests for dates of graduation.

You should read comments carefully before calling something BS and hitting the "reply" link.

If I was asked the date I graduated highschool, and replied 1978.DUHH!!!It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that I definitly am not 12 years old especially if the interviewer knows they weren't even born yet! Not to mention some interviewers of certain departments are haters and feel threatened when a person has more experience them.

Administrative Professional in Atlanta, Georgia said: Yeah, I noticed the typo as well. However, the author does raise a good point.

too many replies to one response. We get it!!!

Susan in Los Angeles, California said: Well, I am 54 years old. Looking for a fulltime Admin. with Accounting Skills position. I know computerized accounting skills. I am hoping that, along with my work experience, that by presenting myself in a well dressed professional manner, that will help me get a job. I am hoping that if I look polished, and have a nice personality, it may help me land a job being a person over 50. Any comments please?

"KEEP HOPE ALIVE!!"

I completely disagree with your statement. It did not take me 5-10 years to learn my administrative skills although I have 15 years of experience. Yes, being an admin is not just being a receptionist, it also encompasses excellent interpersonal skills in a diverse work environment, strong computer skills using several relevant software programs, creativity, excellent customer service internally, as well as externally, etc. You do not need a college degree to be an AA, EAA, or an EA. I have been on several interviews and these interviews were with industries I applied for online and refuse to state my ethnicity because all that they need to know is that I am "female" and "not a vet". Take a look at which ethnicity has the highest unemployment rate and the fact that the government is not enforcing race and age discrimination laws they enacted. I am being penalized because I decided raising my sons to be intelligent, responsible, college-educated young men was more important than going back to school for a college degree. Raising 2 intelligent, responsible, college-educated young men alone is a 24-hr job which I successfully accomplished and yes, I did not become a grandmother until I reached the age of 52 and both were happily married.

Sadly, except for administrative assistants, most office support jobs have disappeared in the last seven years.

My MOM is looking for a job and I Feel frustrated with her because she doesn't have time to surf the web for jobs! She has a family to raise. If you know of any good jobs for 41 year olds that are close or in Haverhill,please respond.

If your mom doesn't have time to surf the web to look for a job, then how is she supposed to havde the time to actally go to work if she gets a job?

Icant in Boston, Massachusetts said: My MOM is looking for a job and I Feel frustrated with her because she doesn't have time to surf the web for jobs! She has a family to raise. If you know of any good jobs for 41 year olds that are close or in Haverhill,please respond.

If she really wants a job, she will have to invest the time to look for one - there is no way around that. There is no one that can do this for her - not even you. It is her responsibility as an adult seeking work in the labor force, to find her own employment. Since most employers post open positions on the internet, she will have to get comfortable surfing various company and job board sites to find vacant positions. These positions will not come to her.
In addition, being able to perform multiple tasks is a skillset employers want and desire- if your mother feels as though she is unable or reluctant to take the time to find work because she is raising a family and can't find time in her day to surf on the web for jobs- then she may not be ready to enter the workforce. I understand your frustration, but she has to take the initiative. It is admirable that you care for your mother. I wish and you mother well.

Well every job I apply for that SAYS it requires a degree, which I HAVE, completely ignores my degree and demands work experience and references when they SEE me. It's as if, I have a degree "on paper" but once the company SEES me they either forget that sometimes I've sent in copies of my transcript attached to my resume or the application, or they assume I look like I'm lying about having that degree - which they promptly excuse themselves by insisting that I "look young." That I don't "look" old enough to be a college degreed displaced homemaker.

Scarlett said: Why is a college degree needed to be a secretary/receptionist/typist? What ever happened to life experience and good old fashioned common sense? I know the answer is that there is an overabundance of college degrees out there and, therefore, employees can now ask for degrees for the most menial jobs imaginable. When I got out of secretarial school, I taught myself, and was taught by some wonderful people on the job, pretty much all that I needed to know. I never got the sheepskin for financial and familial reasons and it now seems that I cannot compete anymore with all the freshly minted people coming out of colleges with BAs and above. How many employers really think that anyone with a BA is going to be content to be a secretary, or administrative assistant. Did they really lay out hundreds of thousands of dollars to be a glorified secretary? Will someone please explain to me why a degree is necessary to properly answer a phone, take accurate messages and compose and type correspondence. No, I certainly don’t know everything, but I love to read, and learn, and give me a day or two and I will be up to speed. Learning how to learn is just as important, if not more so, than where it was learned.

There is one easy answer to this ... it's called discrimination against "older" workers. Companies are quite saavy nowdays, including in the development of methods to eliminate older and more "seasoned" workers. With the assistance of a dead economy and hoards of college graduates who are unable to find employment in their chosen fields at this juncture, companies (who only see the bottom line and/or potential value to shareholders) are free to hire younger, lower salaried, and lower cost insureds. The last thing most corporations care about is diversity in the workplace (unless you consider workers in other countries to be diversified). If you're young, be prepared to pay high taxes to help support boomers who are unable to find jobs.

Sam in Littleton, Colorado said: Another possibility is finding a school that will give college credit for work experience. University of Phoenix may be one such school.

Forgot that so-called "University." It's a corporation in disguise!

what exactly does this mean?!!!

College Graduate in Albuquerque, New Mexico said: OK! See, we educated people argue too much! :). This is why, education is key! Look around you - everyone with a nice car, job, clothes, etc. well they went to school. Sorry, but it is the America way of life! College degree equals job chances equals security equal YOU WILL BE RESPECTED by others. Respected because you are EDUCATED! People that do not have degrees, meant know more... However, you have to prove it! My degree says, I am the boss! Sorry, but True!

You sure are ignorant for someone with a degree!! Your degree says you graduated from whatever school you graduated from...You say your the boss...While I just recently got my degree I was never disrespected in my job or by anyone else for that matter. I drove/drive a nice car, have nice clothes and made respectable money all without a degree...if you have to define yourself by a piece a paper, that's pretty sad!! Words of wisdom...knowledge you get from college...smarts you get from LIFE!!...get a life!!!

x2davis in Decatur, Georgia said: I agree with this! There is nothing about a college degree that is going to make me any stronger of a secretary than my existing 10+ years of experience. Yet, with all that experience, outstanding references, etc., I'm still finding myself being "weeded out" for administrative positions due to, what I assume, is the lack of a Bachelor degree. Although, like so many others, if I accomplished a Bachelor or Master's degree, I can't say a mere administrative role is something I would be interested in any longer.

With over 25 years in various office environments, and at the age of 58, I find myself unemployed and living in Westchester County, NY trying to get a new job is like finding a needle in a haystack. Additionally, like you said above why all the hoopla about a degree for being a secretary??? BECAUSE they are hiring those college grads who also cannot find a job at entry level salaries...They cannot afford to pay us $40-50 K anymore...I hope that explains what I found out over the past year...

To the person that responded: "If you have to define yourself by a piece a paper, that's pretty sad!! Words of wisdom...knowledge you get from college...smarts you get from LIFE!!...get a life!!!".......VERY WELL PUT!

To College Graduate in Albuquerque, New Mexico: No, contrary to your belief, your "piece of paper" doesn't make you the boss. Words of advice...."Climb down off your high horse!"..... You're destined to fall flat on your face!! Heed to the advice of those apparently more wiser than you.....GET A LIFE!!!!!!!!

I felt trouble brewing back in 2007 and went back to school and received my Associates (which apparently isn't good enough along with my 15 + years, it has to be a BA or BS). I'm heading back to school in January but to be quite honest, I don't think it's going to get better for women my age or older for SPECIFICALLY this type of job UNLESS you are working and have been working for a very senior person and you've been with him for years (and remember he might be retiring soon, but I digress).

I've been VERY fortunate to pretty much work 49 out of 52 weeks a year on temp assignments since I was laid off in November of 2008 but let me tell you what I've seen at most of the 15 assignments I've worked at. I believe with the change in the economy it has made the employers very choosy i.e. younger. I truly believe it. I don't know about in other states but in NYC, about 95% of the executive and administrative jobs want a Bachelor's Degree and for most of us, i'll say maybe mid-to late 30's and up (I'm in my mid 40's) we went to work right out of high school AND so your experience means nothing now. If the company specializing in creating the sprinkles that go on an ice cream cone, then they are looking for '3-5 years experience in sprinkle mangement' with a 'BA' being 'required'. It's called BS aka filtering aka politics or i'm sure nobody's thought age discrimination. With basically very little experience but a BA or BS needed you leave out so many of us and of course pull the 20 something year olds that i see on assignment after assignment with short skirts and 3-inch (i'm not be dramatic) platform heels and fake eyelashes being brought in and us old fogey's (just joking) not being considered. I don't believe it's going to get better for us in this regards.

alberta38@comcast.net in New York, New York said: ... With basically very little experience but a BA or BS needed you leave out so many of us and of course pull the 20 something year olds that i see on assignment after assignment with short skirts and 3-inch (i'm not be dramatic) platform heels and fake eyelashes being brought in and us old fogey's (just joking) not being considered. I don't believe it's going to get better for us in this regards.

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In the legal field, it's even worse. I have seen people with J.D.'s who are waiting for their bar results employed as secretaries or paralegals. They don't have a clue as far as operating the software or even the most basic knowledge of legal procedures. What's next, the medical field requiring medical secretaries to be med school graduates?

Goodness you sound just like me - things have definitely changed. I've worked for some of the top firms on Wall Street and have over 15 years experience but it means nothing because it's called 'filtering' I don't care what anybody wants to believe. Similar to what happened in Louisiana with Katrina (I know you think i'm going on a tangent but just read please). The idea is this: a man-made disaster (yes in both cases) causes the current folks to suffer and when it supposedly opens up again i.e. there are jobs out there like there are new places to live being built they're not with the people who lost the most in mind. I just noticed online a bachelors degree needed for a front desk receptionist! Seriously?! Pure and simple: AGE DISCRIMINATION - why is it that every other job posting reads: BA or 4-year degree required, along with either '2-4' or '3-5' years experience. Who exactly does that cover??!!! Who in there 30's, 40's and up, I mean on a large scale that has been an admin or exec ass't have a BA AND 3-5 years, come on, admit it. It is what it is - oh wait, I just noticed an posting for an admin ass't, again, that requires a BA and it's paying $14/hr in NYC!! really? I'm looking for a job starting this weekend working as a laborer (CSX or Amtrak) or park ranger. Sorry i needed to vent

Frustrated and angry in NJ

Rita in Schaumburg, Illinois said: TOTALLY AGREE 100%

Deborah James in Alameda, California said: __________________________________________________________________

In the legal field, it's even worse. I have seen people with J.D.'s who are waiting for their bar results employed as secretaries or paralegals. They don't have a clue as far as operating the software or even the most basic knowledge of legal procedures. What's next, the medical field requiring medical secretaries to be med school graduates?

Actually, yes!

dee in Indianapolis, Indiana said: Well; why don't you just tell me to go live under the bridge and wait to die. I am 50 years old and was always capable of getting employment until this..."MUST BE CERTIFIED" kick. I have been faithfully in the work force for over 35 years. Is it fair to just kick me to the curb after I have given my entire adulthood to working and now,knowing I am a baby boomer, I only have 17 years to retirement. How am I going to survive on what little social security I will get if I am unemployed for the next 17 years? And Yes...I am willing to work any place to self-sustain;but get this I have been told over and over that I have too much experience to make them believe that I will stay in that position. "Catch 22"....you think? I am taking MAA and Medical Billing and Coding online now.Do you know where I can get a job in my skill sector that is entry level while I'm going to school? Answer that!

Sorry but Medical Billing and coding won't help if you don't get two or more whole years' paid full time work experience doing that after you get the certificate and before you expect to get a job in it. And I know that makes no sense either, which is why I quit that certificate program. I have to find another use for a Bachelor of Science in Biology.....and I'm 40.

I am appalled that those of us with soooo many years of experience are being put out to pasture way too early, by the young kids running these companies have figured out a way to keep us from attaining employment. That being said to have to have a BA or BS is just that! BS!!! Since when did an admin or a skilled secretary ever need a degree???

This is a disgrace. In the end, my husband (a land surveyor) and 60+ years of age and I (59 next week), are selling our beautiful co-op in Westchester County, NY and forced to move out of state (probably Charlotte N.C.) where the only means to survive will be off of the same proceeds of our little co-op where we can rent down there or buy a sweet little townhome for half of what it costs here and still have quite a bit of money to hold us over until age 62 when he then I can collect SS.

It's never been our thoughts to have to move to a strange state knowing no one and with no family or friends there, but we will manage.

It is a disgrace that we are being displaced and uprooted from everyone and anything we have known all our lives. We hope to find even part time work there but if not...that is our Plan B.

Not everyone can do what we are doing, but it is a necessity, not a choice we have made for ourselves!

Good luck and happy holidays to all. Perhaps 2012 and a new government will get us back on our feet?

madalene127 in Hastings On Hudson, New York said: I am appalled that those of us with soooo many years of experience are being put out to pasture way too early, by the young kids running these companies have figured out a way to keep us from attaining employment. That being said to have to have a BA or BS is just that! BS!!! Since when did an admin or a skilled secretary ever need a degree???

This is a disgrace. In the end, my husband (a land surveyor) and 60+ years of age and I (59 next week), are selling our beautiful co-op in Westchester County, NY and forced to move out of state (probably Charlotte N.C.) where the only means to survive will be off of the same proceeds of our little co-op where we can rent down there or buy a sweet little townhome for half of what it costs here and still have quite a bit of money to hold us over until age 62 when he then I can collect SS.

It's never been our thoughts to have to move to a strange state knowing no one and with no family or friends there, but we will manage.

It is a disgrace that we are being displaced and uprooted from everyone and anything we have known all our lives. We hope to find even part time work there but if not...that is our Plan B.

Not everyone can do what we are doing, but it is a necessity, not a choice we have made for ourselves!

Good luck and happy holidays to all. Perhaps 2012 and a new government will get us back on our feet?

How long are you going to wait on a "new government"? It's always the same as the last one.

The college degree is just a way to filter the hundreds of applicants that companyies are getting. You need an MBA to work in the mailroom now.

On top of that, you still have to be able to move because the jobs are not just down the street anymore. I have an MBA and I am in my 3rd state now.

I think the Degree requirement is a joke. I was lucky, I didn't have a degree, but I landed a job in a global company, but they lay off daily so I am getting worried. I was laid off from another corp. giant after many years in 2009. For 18 mos, I did contract work. I think the degree thing is a filter, and it's also a creation of greedy placement agents who popularized the trend. It's sad because it's a new form of discrimination.

Laidoff2009CT in Norwalk, Connecticut said: I think the Degree requirement is a joke. I was lucky, I didn't have a degree, but I landed a job in a global company, but they lay off daily so I am getting worried. I was laid off from another corp. giant after many years in 2009. For 18 mos, I did contract work. I think the degree thing is a filter, and it's also a creation of greedy placement agents who popularized the trend. It's sad because it's a new form of discrimination.

It is a filter now. You could just as well say, "Only people with red hair and green eyes need apply" and it would accomplish the same thing.

The problem is that the training budgets have been slashed and the money put into the pockets of the CEOs. Companies today, want you to have the education/experience and they want someone else to have paid for it.

An AA degree is an Associates, my friend has just graduated with this 'secretary degree' and yes it teaches you computer skill, people management and typical 'answering the phone' skills.

Bluetea in Texas said:
On top of that, you still have to be able to move because the jobs are not just down the street anymore. I have an MBA and I am in my 3rd state now.

California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island (OK I know, what was I thinking?!) Massachusetts....

I'm back in California, I guess I came home to DIE. I'm not moving anymore looking for jobs, chasing rainbows, going on wild goose chases following leads and invitations that invariably change their minds when they SEE me when I get there. When they see that *that's* what a Choctaw Indian looks like.

I came back home to California because of Healthy San Francisco, and if I die on the operating table at least I won't have to worry about SURVIVING any more.

x2davis in Decatur, Georgia said: I agree with this! There is nothing about a college degree that is going to make me any stronger of a secretary than my existing 10+ years of experience. Yet, with all that experience, outstanding references, etc., I'm still finding myself being "weeded out" for administrative positions due to, what I assume, is the lack of a Bachelor degree. Although, like so many others, if I accomplished a Bachelor or Master's degree, I can't say a mere administrative role is something I would be interested in any longer.

NO IT'S NOT. Those of us WITH Bachelor's degrees get weeded out for lack of the experience or references. It's a double-edged sword.

The problem with many college graduates is, as others have mentioned, that they usually think they are too good to do 'secretarial' work (though, of course, the 's' word is hardly ever used today as we must cater to graduates' grandiose perceptions of themselves!) and are only marking time in the position until they can find something 'better.' I have seen it again and again where I work - all but a handful of graduates have come to the job with the intention of doing as little administrative work as they possibly can (because they don't want to be labeled as an administrator) and focusing on the other, more creative aspects of the job that are sometimes offered to them because they are college graduates. (Assuming, of course, they are looking to stay in the company since, as I said, many are just there until they can find something else.) My boss has been trying to push me into a supervisory role towards the three other administrators in our department (all youngish women in their mid to late 20s working on their masters) in order to improve their administrative skills but I am doing everything I can to avoid taking such a role - what a nightmare it would be to try and get such people to take their role as an administrator seriously! Just the thought makes me want to shoot myself! LOL

Lady Greystoke in Oak Lawn, Illinois said: The problem with many college graduates is, as others have mentioned, that they usually think they are too good to do 'secretarial' work (though, of course, the 's' word is hardly ever used today as we must cater to graduates' grandiose perceptions of themselves!) and are only marking time in the position until they can find something 'better.' I have seen it again and again where I work - all but a handful of graduates have come to the job with the intention of doing as little administrative work as they possibly can (because they don't want to be labeled as an administrator) and focusing on the other, more creative aspects of the job that are sometimes offered to them because they are college graduates. (Assuming, of course, they are looking to stay in the company since, as I said, many are just there until they can find something else.) My boss has been trying to push me into a supervisory role towards the three other administrators in our department (all youngish women in their mid to late 20s working on their masters) in order to improve their administrative skills but I am doing everything I can to avoid taking such a role - what a nightmare it would be to try and get such people to take their role as an administrator seriously! Just the thought makes me want to shoot myself! LOL

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There is a difference between being an "administrative assistant" and an "administrator."

Nanlisa in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania said: I agree with you on that. We live in a youth-oriented culture today, and it's just not in the job market. It's in the entertainment field as well. They want to cater to the younger people. That's not right.

No, it is NOT right. It really raises my hackles when these snooty, younger twits want to just cast off mature workers as yesterdays garbage. And I look at employers of this mind set the same way. I was Office Manager for a small agency until 7 weeks ago. Due to the economy, the office closed down. I have been unable to find another clerical position since then. I have no degree, though I have 2 years of college classes - but I have the skills required - just not that piece of paper. I have many years clerical experience, type 60 wpm, skilled using all office machines, MS Word, phones, etc. I don't have anyone else's income to fall back on, and really need a job soon. To all of people in your 20's,30's, etc. your attitude towards someone my age and the work force is deplorable. Grow up...one of these days you will be in my age category - though you feel invincible now. I wouldn't want to wish age discrimination on you. I am 56 years old...a very vital, very alive and active person. And I really need that job.

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You should not worry about competing with college degrees.Candidates join as assistants with the hope of gaining business experience and growing, being promoted to higher positions as a degree is a MUST HAVE. What really happens is you end up competing with assistants with no degrees but vast experience in the same field to bump your grade up to one level as an assistant and the answer is lack of experience. If you have experience you lack a degree and if you have a degree you lack experience. Once an assistant always an assistant - you go nowhere. If you need to compete; it's not on the basis of WHAT you know, IT IS WHO YOU KNOW! NETWORK is the answer.

My contract job ended some time again and am still searching for an Executive Assistant job. I have 14 years of experience as an EA, but only possess an Associates degree. Even though my skill set is above the standard, and I have worked for some well know companies, I still seem to be passed over just because I don't have a Bachelor's degree. I just don't understand the reasoning of this on an employers part; it's extremely frustrating. I believe that they are passing over at least a hand full of excellent candidates because of this. Guess I have to look at it as the employers loss. That may make me FEEL better, but it certainly isn't paying the bills!

I totally can relate to your frustration. I see this happening a lot. While I was off and doing contract work, one company required a Masters!! I wrote a letter asking them why they required a MS degree for a job that shouldn't require a degree! Well, they sent back a very bad scan of a poorly written letter that was an absolute joke! I guess other's were speaking up about the rediculous requirement. Believe me in y 68 or more interviews in 18 mos. I came across some insane interviewing practices by companies. Over testing, over requirements, personality tests, take home projects, you name it! Well, I have to say, I landed 5 contracts in Major companies and they didn't require anything but my references, a drug test and my experience. I think the degree nonsense is a creation of these times, and the greedy agents and HR people who design these insane metnods!! I feel so lucky I found a job. But, know how hard it was.