Searching engineering jobs without completed studies

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1
Hi!

In my native country Sweden where I currently work as an engineering project manager you can get a job without having to complete your degree. E.g. you miss some credits in a course.

I feel unsure whether its the same in Switzerland, status and titles seems more important for the swiss.

What is your experience? Can you get a engineering job without a fully completed degree?

Kind regards

James

2
I was never asked about my degree when I started here, at the same time I had years of experience in the field.

The question only came up after about 3 years in the company when for a specific role they required someone with a degree for regulatory purposes.

3
Why would you not finish your degree if you are close? Being impatient to get a job is a pretty poor reason: years from now having that degree or not could very well prevent you from moving up the career ladder, and I can imaging for some prospective employers it would be a big enough red flag to not hire you.

Put another way, if you want to work in your field of study getting the degree doesn't close any doors, but not having the degree definitely does.

4
Nobody can give you an accurate answer on that because it is going to depend on the luck of the draw. You may find a company who is happy to take you on and does not care about your academic past with a direct application.

However, you can expect that you will be filtered out by any jobs being advertised by agencies or large companies with active HR departments. They will just filter out anyone without a degree and you won't even get to a point were the hiring manager will even see your resume.

Unless you are heading towards the end of your career you are seriously limiting your opportunities by not completing your degree. Not because you may need it to do the work, but because everyone else has one.

5
Cool! I hope that I will slip through the cracks there as well and not get asked.

6
I have two math examinations left, I will try to pass them both in May. I was recruited directly after finishing my masters thesis by the company for which I made the thesis. They already knew me so they didn't care much for the degree.

Yeah I agree, it does not look good in my view. But I wanted to evaluate my options and chances of applying now directly.

7

Do you also realize that not having your degree is a perfectly legit reason for any employer to offer you a lower salary than someone with equivalent skills and experience, but who happens to have have that extra piece of paper? If you stay in your field of interest throughout your career the difference in earnings over your lifetime will be enormous, and your opportunities for advancement will be a lot more limited.

It's not just about getting this first job...

8
Indeed, no degree = technician, not engineer.

Tom

9
I can confirm in several of the jobs I done over the years HR wanted proof I had a degree, so the certificate, which I guess they double check for authenticity with the University.

And I agree whole hearty with all those who have said here that it very important you finish. It doesn't reflect well on your current employer that they are [it seems] encouraging you to start before completing your degree.

You will need it to get your next job!

10
If you have time and energy to spare I would try to finish the degree. But I would not stress about it. Work experience and connections trump paperwork. Also the best job opportunities rarely come by applying through a website, so I would not worry so much about cv filtering.

11
Thanks for all the good advice, I will aim to fix last tests and apply afterwards

12
I would agree. Also I would recommend you take your PM certification (as you are already in this role). Plenty of courses online.