denied due to "distance learning degree"

Yesterday I forwarded a resume to a recruiter for an Emergency Management job. The recruiter called me right away, but then noted that my degree was "a distance degree". He went on to state that the job (at a University) was closed to anyone with a distance degree because the school's hiring manager (a PhD I'm told) doesn't see distance learning as legitimate.

The recruiter promised to keep me on file and encouraged me that he had many clients that didn't care where the degree was from so long as it was legitimate. It was still disappointing. Funny thing is, I only took a few courses via distance for my undergrad, just happened it was easier to apply these at COSC than my local state school. He may also have noted my WGU MBA (seeking status on my resume).

I'm not really looking for advice or anything, just thought I would share the experience. This is the first time I have encountered this sort of thinking directly (maybe people see it on my resume and just place me on the bottom of the stack IDK).

There is no doubt my degree has been beneficial to me...but I'm still seeking the big payoff I was hoping for.

 

Here in South East Asia, some countries think an online or distance learning degree is substandard, yet hypocrisy reigns in and many open with the government's blessings online and open unis which do just the same. I think that phd guy is just insecure that his own job will be taken by people with distance learning qualifications and has a huge inferiority complex. After all a phd is suppose to welcome newest innovations in educational services and not just goods.

 

Why would you state that your degree was distance learning? I attended a program that is both given on campus and online, why would I need to disclose that the program was distance?
My advice is not to disclose the mode of delivery of your degree unless you have to.

 

Very ignorant, get with the times we have these new devices called, COMPUTERS! They access this thing called the INTERNET where by information is passed at extremely high rates of speed. Yes I am talking to those morons that choose to act like this, I HATE snobs, and that was first class, grade A snobbery. I hope you get the job you want and look back and laugh at these fools.

 

He said the employer noted it, not that he told the employer it was a distance degree. Perhaps the OP's resume made it obvious he couldn't have been earning the degree on campus, i.e. he was working while getting the degree, and his job was in one part of the country and his university another.

 

For any real change to take place there will have to be groundswell of action from those of us that have DL degrees. Unfortunately it'll probably take a precedent setting case or groundbreaking legislation to change the fossilized minds of those that refuse to honor DL degrees. Can you imagine anyone still turning someone down for a job due to race, gender or age in this day and age? Yes it still happens but at least there's law and precedence to back up the refused person, especially if someone is blatant in their refusal. This hiring manager needs some prodding in the right direction.

 

I didn't disclose it...they saw Charter Oak in Ct. yet I lived in Florida, and WGU MBA in progress.

 

Well, there are some haters about distance learning out there. I posted a thread couple weeks ago, which I did not get hired. Even though I answered all the technical questions smoothly. But my Interviewer has a Ph.D in Chemistry from Northwestern University. I assumed he did not like my degree from Troy University via distance learning. After 4 weeks of interview, I have never heard anything from the company nor the recruiter.

 

It takes place (although not transparently) quite regularly –with age discrimination being the number one hiring bias. Of course for the plaintiff to provide evidence of such taking place (be it age, race, gender, religion, etc.) would be IMO … next to impossible to establish. My guess is that DL degree preconception is near the bottom of likely discrimination/s.

 

TEKMAN, that is sad. But, there is some "old world" arrogance that some brick and mortar folks still have. I work for a state university (as staff, not faculty) and received my education via distance from a state university (not the same). I have received my fair share of "off color" looks when I state where/how I received my education.

 

Good points major. Unfortunately I've already got two strikes against me and I was just seeing red earlier. It would be hard to make a case especially when you have judges, lawyers and even jurors with BM degrees. I just hate to see the status quo win.

 

Sideman, as you already know, change development / sustainability is a [long-term] endeavor ... particularly when it comes to individual assumption and/or perception/s.

 

Indeed, bias toward distance education is still present in many sectors. However, the times they are a changin. Much like the sarcastic statements of the past regarding "night school," as though a class taken at 10:00 AM was somehow superior to one taken at 7:00 PM.

 

Hey Rebel sorry to hear that... I recently just got hired and the employer pointed out my TESC degree and I told him I used CLEPS, ACE, traditional and online courses to complete my degree and he was highly impressed. I also live in FL. Just keep your head up, you'll find a good job soon bud!

 

"Don't hate the player, hate the game", as it is often said. I'd say hate the snobbish behavior, but try not to hate the person exhibiting such behavior unless they provoke you personally. Much of this kind of thing is too far away to affect you, and life's too short to get that worked up over it.

 

This sort of thing bothers me because my BA/MA/PhD are all from B&M schools (as in, I went to the on-campus campus!) but (now) all 3 have online programs. Its as though I need to put "on-campus" on my vita (which - again - seems hypocritical since I've been online faculty for 5+ years)!

 

Hiring is an extremely subjective affair and the person doing the hiring may be loaded with bias, prejudice, ignorance or downright stupidity. I have seen them all. One person absolutely refused to consider candidates from religiously-affiliated universities (including Notre Dame, Loyola or BYU). Another did not like candidates from state universities, as he thought that private schools were more prestigious. I have known some who wanted people from local colleges and universities, while another didn't think that local schools were good and wanted someone with a degree from an out-of-state school.

The prejudice and ignorance displayed by some regarding degrees earned through online study are just as silly and ignorant as the above examples. Do you want to work for someone who is ignorant and biased? What other incompetent decisions will that person make?

 

How about being rejected for having RA B&M State University degree?

Yes a friend of mine got looked down on his Cal State Domingo Hills degree and was told by requiter that the hiring school preferred a more prestige university graduates, He was told that if his degree was from UC system then he would have had a better chance.

There is no end to this.

 

Yes, similar to me working on a doctorate from the University of the Free State? No hiding that, since I live in Northern VA!!:biggrin: