From an employers perspective...can being a college dropout be a strength?

Question

How do employers gauge life experience and maturity vs. grades and diplomas?

Consider the example of a person who drops out of college (lets say a graphic designer) because it's too expensive and there's too little real-world skills being taught).

So that person goes out in the world, works as a freelance designer, and learns, on their own, the real-world skills needed.

How do employers consider that?...as a strength - for having courage and foresight, or as a weakness for not going through the same motions as everyone else?

Answer 1

it depends, if you are a college dropout, then immediately start to work as a bartender or as a bagger at a grocery store, it would probably look bad. but if you drop out and immediately become a successful entrepreneur, that shows ambition and drive versus a piece of paper that says your successful in education.

Answer 2

It would depend on the employer - if the person interviewing you has done the same thing, they'll probably look at it as a positive; if the person interviewing you has a wall filled with certificates and diplomas, they probably won't think it's a good thing.

Ultimately, it's how you handle the interview. I wouldn't emphasize the negative aspects (like saying the school didn't teach you real world skills - what happens if the person interviewing you went to or has friends who went to that school?) but rather emphasize the positive reasons you wanted to learn by doing and the positive aspects of being mentored and responding quickly to the demands of clients, etc.

For a graphic designer, I would think that the strength of your portfolio would out-weigh any degrees. That might be the best strategy - developing an impeccable portfolio for an interviewer/future boss to see.

Answer 3

While every employer is different, usually dropping out of school is not looked on favorably by employers. Many positions require a college degree or some level of formal education in order to advance. We all know PhDs who can't tie their own shoes, and brilliant high school dropouts.

You can certainly attempt to spin it using the "courage and foresight, life experience" angle you used here. An employer could spin it back using the angle of "persistence, overcoming a difficult challenge." There are arguments on either side.

Answer 4

Don't tell them you were a college dropout. My friend's mom put on her application what college she went to, but never wrote that she graduated. She got a great job anyway (cause some employers assume you did).
As far as experience, depends personally on the employer. I worked through a temp agency that put me in jobs that other people go to school for, but because I had so much education, they didn't mind showing me new things, and I had more skills to add to my resume :) Go out and try new things, apply for alternate positions at companies that were considering working for. Look for internships and such. Go live!

Answer 5

once you get experience in a field and are a few years out of school, academic degrees, grades, stuff like that matter less and less. Unless, of course, a degree is a real requirement of the job (eg dentist). I wouldn't brag about not finishing school, but neither would I hide it, as someone sort of implied, just put down dates you attended and have a decent explanation ready as to why you dropped out and be prepared to turn conversation back towards your experience.

Answer 6

Yes, some college dropouts are successful business people, e.g. Bill Gates.

Answer 7

It does not reflect well on you. No matter what reasons you give, you look like a quitter.