Four-year degrees will no longer be required for state jobs

SALT LAKE CITY — Higher education is not a one-size fits all solution for hopes of getting a great career. Gov. Cox and the state of Utah are now doing away with a four-year degree requirement for state jobs. 

“Far too often degrees have become blanketed barriers to entry to too many jobs,” said Gov. Cox in a press release.

Contextually, Cox said 98% of the 1,000 jobs hired under the executive branch should not require a degree. 

Now, according to a release from the governor’s office, state hiring managers will focus more on experiences rather than degrees. 

Similarly, Isaac Morehouse, co-founder of Praxis asked KSL NewsRadio, “Why are you going to college in the first place?”

“It’s incredible, no one asks that question, it’s just taken for granted,” said Morehouse. “Very few people have a concrete goal that absolutely requires a degree.”

The systematic way of entering the career world starts with obtaining a degree. This method may discredit world experience since it is not in the form of formal education. 

However, perhaps there is more to the story.

The state of Utah has been known to underpay its employees. At a time when more state employees are needed, people seeking work are going to places like Mcdonalds, Walmart or Target that offer higher pay. 

With a 2.1 % unemployment, there is a need for people and position filling. To do this, the state can lower the required standard for jobs. With no degree requirement, the state will overall have more job applicants. 

Regardless, those who never received a degree but have relevant experience and potential, now have a chance to enter new industries. 

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