Finding out someone's college results

Brendan Flowers · 18-11-2013 04:23PM #1

Not sure if this is the best place to ask but its a general question and hopefully someone here might know the answer.

Is there any way to find out if someone has completed the degree they claim to have studied? We've got a new person in our workplace and they say they have a computer science degree. But they struggle with the most basic of tasks. Maybe they started the course but I just cant see how they were able to finish and pass a computer science degree!

But even when people are applying for jobs surely the employer must be able to check with colleges to confirm if people are being honest about their academic achievements?

everdead.ie · 18-11-2013 04:27PM

Brendan Flowers wrote: »

Not sure if this is the best place to ask but its a general question and hopefully someone here might know the answer.

Is there any way to find out if someone has completed the degree they claim to have studied? We've got a new person in our workplace and they say they have a computer science degree. But they struggle with the most basic of tasks. Maybe they started the course but I just cant see how they were able to finish and pass a computer science degree!

But even when people are applying for jobs surely the employer must be able to check with colleges to confirm if people are being honest about their academic achievements?

I'm not sure if you can retrospectively find out but it's common practice that a new grad would be asked to email a copy of there final year results on as a condition before they get the job.

Sean Quagmire · 18-11-2013 04:29PM

I'd be interested in knowing this too. Woman who works with us claims she has a BSc in financial management despite claiming several other times she has never been to college. On her CV she wrote she has a "degree in business" lol

Wossack · 18-11-2013 04:31PM

usually better practice to check before you hire said shaved ape

Brendan Flowers · 18-11-2013 04:31PM

The person isn't a new grad though, finished college 4 years ago apparently and was previously working in a non technical admin role.

anncoates · 18-11-2013 04:32PM

Doubt you can find out somebody else's qualifications from the college.

Just ask them to furnish the qualifications that they put on their CV.

Grolschevik · 18-11-2013 04:34PM

Some employers ask to see stamped copies of academic transcripts or a copy of the actual degree parchment. But doing this retrospectively, you'd want to be the boss/HR person and have a good reason. There might be something in the contract of employment about having told the truth in the application process?

IvyTheTerrible · 18-11-2013 04:35PM

I've been asked to furnish copies of the original degree certificate, it's common practice over here when applying for jobs.

artanevilla · 18-11-2013 04:40PM

If you contact the 3rd level institution the person claims to have gotten their degree in, they can confirm.

irish_goat · 18-11-2013 04:43PM

Surely if they can't do the job it's irrelevant if they have the degree or not?

stevenmu · 18-11-2013 04:46PM

Brendan Flowers wrote: »

We've got a new person in our workplace and they say they have a computer science degree. But they struggle with the most basic of tasks.

FWIW it's very possible that they have the degree and still struggle with basic tasks. I've a degree in Comp Sci and there were several people on my course who couldn't figure out how to open a simple IDE or even notepad by the end of 4th year. But, they were able to learn the course notes off by heart which got them good marks in all the exams.

my teapot is orange · 18-11-2013 04:48PM

I've often been asked to supply transcripts at application stage. I send scans as attachments.

I have had physical transcripts inspected at assessment centres. I was told in advance to bring them obviously.

I have had recruiters ask permission to verify my degree with my university before I started. (though I'm not convinced they actually bothered, it really seemed like one of those questions being asked purely to see how you react)

I was once asked for references after I had started a job. The recruitment agency hadn't checked and said that they wanted to have them on record. They did this to a load of other new starts too.

sheesh · 18-11-2013 04:49PM

If they really didn't like computers they might never have turned one on since they left college. after 4 years they could easily have forgotten everything. THey might need a bit of a refresher.

18-11-2013 04:53PM

While you might not be able to get any results, I'd say a college should be able to confirm whether the student completed the degree. Not sure how the Data Protection Act would work here though.

suicide_circus · 18-11-2013 04:57PM

sheesh wrote: »

If they really didn't like computers they might never have turned one on since they left college. after 4 years they could easily have forgotten everything. THey might need a bit of a refresher.

that's true, I once forgot how to tie my own shoe laces. ended up with a broken collar bone and a caution from the guards.

18-11-2013 04:59PM

sheesh wrote: »

If they really didn't like computers they might never have turned one on since they left college. after 4 years they could easily have forgotten everything. THey might need a bit of a refresher.

Computer Science is a tough subject. If the person didn't really like computers, then there's no way they would have lasted 4 years of it.

Shout Dust · 18-11-2013 05:04PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Computer Science is a tough subject. If the person didn't really like computers, then there's no way they would have lasted 4 years of it.

If they hadn't gone over anything since they left college though they could easily forget many aspects of it. I was going over some stuff recently that I hadn't looked at since finishing college 2 years ago and couldn't believe how much I'd forgotton.

Banjo String · 18-11-2013 05:10PM

Brendan Flowers wrote: »

Not sure if this is the best place to ask but its a general question and hopefully someone here might know the answer.

Is there any way to find out if someone has completed the degree they claim to have studied? We've got a new person in our workplace and they say they have a computer science degree. But they struggle with the most basic of tasks. Maybe they started the course but I just cant see how they were able to finish and pass a computer science degree!

But even when people are applying for jobs surely the employer must be able to check with colleges to confirm if people are being honest about their academic achievements?

:cool:

Capt'n Midnight · 18-11-2013 08:51PM

You could do something like this
http://deedy.quora.com/Hacking-into-the-Indian-Education-System

moc moc a moc · 18-11-2013 09:06PM

irish_goat wrote: »

Surely if they can't do the job it's irrelevant if they have the degree or not?

This is certainly the most important thing, but if it can be proven that they don't have a qualification they claimed to have when applying, it would probably make it easier to get rid of them.

Holsten · 18-11-2013 09:07PM

Are you in HR? A director? Owner? If no then it's none of your business.

If they can't do the work they'll be let go.

fasttalkerchat · 18-11-2013 09:16PM

Holsten wrote: »

Are you in HR? A director? Owner? If no then it's none of your business.

If they can't do the work they'll be let go.

She could easily be their manager but recruitment is done by HR.

harney · 18-11-2013 09:19PM

Holsten wrote: »

Are you in HR? A director? Owner? If no then it's none of your business.

If they can't do the work they'll be let go.

They probably won't. Promotion is more likely, in order to shuffle the problem along.

poeticseraphim · 18-11-2013 09:24PM

Grolschevik wrote: »

Some employers ask to see stamped copies of academic transcripts or a copy of the actual degree parchment. But doing this retrospectively, you'd want to be the boss/HR person and have a good reason. There might be something in the contract of employment about having told the truth in the application process?

Yeah I would of thought a copy of the degree parchment would have been simple.

I would have no problem in submitting a copy of me degree or bringing my actual physical transcripts. I would expect it.

However if the person has the degree and still cannot perform the tasks as needed then it should not matter.

However if you are attempting to build a case to let them go without alerting them then I would ask the institution first or try to make it seem like run of the mill check ups.

I would be surprised if your HR department did not have it on file though.

Gongoozler · 18-11-2013 09:32PM

If it's affecting your job then speak to your manager about it, but leave your suspicions out of it. If it's not affecting your job, keep your busibody nose out of it.

wil · 18-11-2013 09:59PM

Just ask what is IT
Only a CSc graduate could answer that

Kilgore__Trout · 18-11-2013 10:09PM

Hmmm, sounds like you just fell for the old theoretical degree trick...

Check if the C.V. says a degree in theoretical computing, or a theoretical degree in computing... there is a difference...

Donnielighto · 18-11-2013 10:20PM

Kilgore__Trout wrote: »

Hmmm, sounds like you just fell for the old theoretical degree trick...

Check if the C.V. says a degree in theoretical computing, or a theoretical degree in computing... there is a difference...

Fallout?

The Diabolical Monocle · 18-11-2013 10:23PM

My professionall diagnosis is that you trust those candidates who claim said qualifications.

Dr N. Riviera. (M.D pd Ymca)

Kilgore__Trout · 18-11-2013 10:27PM

Donnielighto wrote: »

Fallout?

Well spotted!

humbert · 18-11-2013 10:34PM

Don't most colleges have the facility to verify a persons qualifications once you have their consent?

I know more that one person coming out of computer science that quite literally couldn't have written and compiled Hello World in C or Java (or any other language) without the internet having completely the full four years. Universities are letting everyone down by making it so easy to get through.

Finding out someone's college results

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