>However, as long as the people have the right skills or mindset I don’t see the issue.
That is exactly what they’re looking for, regardless of degree type. Without digging up all the numbers, soft skills in the hiring process are important to a great deal——as long as that person is able to understand the on-the-job training you’re going to give them.
You can have person A and B interviewing for a PM position.
Person A graduated from CS dept, 3.9cGPA, introvert, no experience.
Person B graduated from Literature dept, 3.8cGPA, study abroad, sociable, 5 years work experience with deadlines.
In my opinion, I would take person B over A. I’ll tell you why, though.
Person A has (1) shown they are able to understand different cultures and environments—as the company may be Fortune 500 or non-profit, the workforce can be diverse. (2) they have shown they can take responsibility and (3) be willing to engage with others, coworkers in particular and (4) is willing to get out of their comfort zone by wandering into CS.
Person B will bring me (1) experience but they may not be able to communicate effectively with coworkers, managers, customers, etc. due to their personality. They may know how to fix a problem but (2) they’re personality makes them get confrontational when you say there’s a better way than their way. In the end, the amount of worry I’d have with how they’d work with my other employees is much greater than the time it’ll take me to take an apprentice and teach them how and what I want and need them to learn.
Isn't assuming that just because person A is not too social (by not having many friends, not going to parties, and being shy maybe) that he will attack anyone who disagrees with them and that he will not be able to communicate effectively on job-related issues nothing but prejudice?
That is exactly what they’re looking for, regardless of degree type. Without digging up all the numbers, soft skills in the hiring process are important to a great deal——as long as that person is able to understand the on-the-job training you’re going to give them.
You can have person A and B interviewing for a PM position.
Person A graduated from CS dept, 3.9cGPA, introvert, no experience.
Person B graduated from Literature dept, 3.8cGPA, study abroad, sociable, 5 years work experience with deadlines.
In my opinion, I would take person B over A. I’ll tell you why, though.
Person A has (1) shown they are able to understand different cultures and environments—as the company may be Fortune 500 or non-profit, the workforce can be diverse. (2) they have shown they can take responsibility and (3) be willing to engage with others, coworkers in particular and (4) is willing to get out of their comfort zone by wandering into CS.
Person B will bring me (1) experience but they may not be able to communicate effectively with coworkers, managers, customers, etc. due to their personality. They may know how to fix a problem but (2) they’re personality makes them get confrontational when you say there’s a better way than their way. In the end, the amount of worry I’d have with how they’d work with my other employees is much greater than the time it’ll take me to take an apprentice and teach them how and what I want and need them to learn.