Sharing STARs’ stories: “I explain I'm entirely self taught and I never hear from them again.”

I recently asked on LinkedIn: “If you look at a system that is producing such unequal results, the fundamental question is: do you believe there is something wrong with the people or do you believe there is something wrong with the system?” I believe today's "skills problem" isn't with talent... the problem is the hiring system itself. Opportunity@Work 's research shows that over 30 million STARs - workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes, rather than a bachelor’s degree - have skills to make transitions to jobs paying at least 50% more than their wages today, if given the opportunity and access. 

Beyond seeing the data, it’s critical to hear the stories from STARs themselves - many of whom shared their experience with us in the comments: 

“I currently work for a large company and have 40+ years experience in the same industry plus a military background...just because I don't have a college degree I am never considered for the positions and have filled in for the positions while the company was looking for qualified candidates.”

“I've designed, engineered, produced over 100 products in software and hardware and have several patents to my name. But....I have no formal education. And have seen on several occasions where a company seems interested in me until they mention how I "forgot to list my education". I explain I'm entirely self taught and I never hear from them again.”

“I was a training store manager…I trained all assistant and general managers in a seven-store district. I trained them in all facets of P&L as it pertains to restaurants. Taught them how to do a shift plan. Yet I'm not qualified for a district manager position because I don't have a bachelor's degree?”

And, for #AAPI Heritage Month, STAR Advisory Council member Kenny Nguyen CEO of ThreeSixtyEight shared some of the many challenges weighing on the minds of STARs with Opportunity@Work’s Ciara P. : “Anxiety about landing an interview that understands the value of skills-based hiring, lower self-esteem thanks to rejections and imposter syndrome, and a fear of speaking up for yourself can leave you feeling unseen. As Kenny says, “how can you be who you truly are when you have that in your head?” 31% of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the US workforce are STARs–that’s 3.4 million people.

In addition to psychological barriers, Kenny notes the concrete barriers STARs face too: “Not having a degree means not having that network of teachers and alumni helping you get your feet under you.”

Our country is missing out on the talents of STARs. The good news? Public sector, industry, and researchers are stepping up to remove barriers and create STARs talent strategies - here’s the latest from this month’s news on action for STARs:

• Opportunity@Work launched the STARs Public Sector Hub to support public sector leaders removing unnecessary degree requirements and implementing STARs talent strategies. There has been a wave of legislation and public and private investment into new and emerging industries - from semiconductors to healthcare to green energy. But if you do the math, you'll realize that none of these industries can succeed without STARs* talent playing a major role in these jobs. Watch and learn more here.

• One of the many compelling speakers at the event was STAR Sheronda Baltimore an IT expert and Manager, Division of Central Services for Montgomery County, Maryland - read her full story via Humans of Public Service here.
• The Washington Post recently wrote about the public sector momentum for removing degree requirements, quoting The Project on Workforce at Harvard Co-Director Kerry McKittrick , “Sixty percent of the population doesn’t have a bachelor’s degree. This is disproportionately people of color…And so removing degree requirements can open up opportunities to a lot of people.” As Healy notes, “The federal government, the largest employer in the United States with almost 3 million employees, listened.” Read the story.
• Opportunity@Work shared our STARs research at the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) DEI Forum and highlighted the critical role STARs play in the energy sector. Our partnership with Climate United has been a key driver in this research.

• Why does the STARs talent category matter? Until recently, this set of workers was only referred to as "non-degree" or worse - "unskilled." This is misinformed, dismissing the many skills STARs bring to the table, many gained in low-wage jobs. Which is why we’re encouraged to see more research reports cite STARs - including The Burning Glass Institute 's report citing Education Quality Outcomes Standards ' framework “The Importance of Understanding Non-Degree Credential Quality” and Future State 's report “Leveraging AI for Human Potential.”

“The choices we make in the next few years with support the inclusion of STARs in our agencies, our organizations, and in our regional economic development strategies, this will set the foundation for the public sector to reflect the way our communities actually look,” this was the message from Papia Debroy Opportunity@Work's SVP and Chief Analytics & Research Officer at the STARs Public Sector Hub launch. I couldn't agree more.

What choices can you make today for STARs?