[wintertime]

I agree. There are technical fields in which it is most efficient for the student to be in a formal classroom setting. Engineering, professional-level accounting, law, medicine, dentistry, nursing, etc.

But...Honestly...Does it require a college degree to be the check-in clerk at a hotel? My grandmother would find that laughable.

Internships are becoming absolutely necessary to get a job. I believe employers are now demanding internships because they simply can not trust that a college degree is a valid measure of education. Given what I see as a current student in my local community college, I would require an internship, too, if I were an employer.

[rbg81]

Does it require a college degree to be the check-in clerk at a hotel?

---

Of course it does not, but you may be oversimplifying. In many cases, those on the management track will do these jobs for a short time (2-6 months) to learn the business. In fact, it is a very good policy for a company to cycle a management candidate through a series of low level jobs so they really understand how the enterprise works.

[setha]

Then what is your thought on those that have relevant experience prior to a degree but no internships? Insist on the internships, consider the experience as a potential substitute, or some other case? I definitely see it being a preference, even for the technical fields.

As for my perspective, it comes from someone with a degree in the technical side of business (MIS).