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I have recently seen a number of job listings containing a reference to obtaining a "Straight Playa Degree" (SPD). See for example this job post.

What does this mean? Are they just referring to a plain old Computer Science degree?

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It may or may not mean that you have to be prepared to throw yo hands up in the air – Michael Jan 3 '11 at 18:33
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Oh, brother <rolls eyes> – Robert Harvey Jan 3 '11 at 18:33
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Well that job post is certainly different, very informal, to the point where the English in it is poor ["Graphicly is provides an immersive social experience ..." :-/]. They've not even filled in the "Bonus Points" section, leaving it on the help. They definitely failed to get my interest in applying. – Orbling Jan 3 '11 at 18:37
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Additionally, I googled it and got little other than that specific job advert. My suspicion is that the advertising company are pillocks, rather than any other explanation. – Orbling Jan 3 '11 at 18:41
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every codah in da house say whoop whoop – konrad Jun 5 '11 at 15:12
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4 Answers

up vote 8 down vote accepted

I believe that means "degree by experience."

Example:

I might not have a BA in Computer Science, but I've been programming for 3+ years and that makes me more than qualified.

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Wow. 15 years experience = a BS in Comp Sci? At best I can understand a 1-1 years school/experience. To me 15 years experience would be like BS + 11 years experience. And honestly, experience speaks louder than paper. – Berin Loritsch Jan 3 '11 at 19:30
@Berlin: I just threw in a number, I would equivalent 2-3 years of work to a BS. – Josh K Jan 3 '11 at 19:41
I'd fix the typo in the example, except I'd like to believe that the English classes required in the process of getting that degree also meant something. – thursdaysgeek Jan 3 '11 at 21:37
@thursdays: s/then/than? – Josh K Jan 3 '11 at 21:43
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@Josh K: Just of of curiosity, how did you arrive at the conclusion that it was intended to mean "degree by experience"? As near as I can tell, it means either "tell it like it is", of a man that goes through women more quickly than the U.S. government goes through money. – Jay Elston Jul 21 '11 at 19:32
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up vote 18 down vote

That's absurd and completely unprofessional.

This is your resume (or curriculum vitae). The word playa has absolutely no business being used in it whatsoever.

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Whilst I agree, he is talking about job adverts, as opposed to resumes/CVs. – Orbling Jan 3 '11 at 18:38
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@Orbling: It does make one wonder what the work environment is like (paper airplanes, et al). – Robert Harvey Jan 3 '11 at 18:39
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Either you're a playa hata, or a playa participata. – mipadi Jan 3 '11 at 18:51
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@Robert - certainly paper planes have no place in a work environment. They get tangled up in the chair wheels, so it disrupts your aim and you lose all your momentum. – Steve314 Jan 3 '11 at 18:56
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Successful businesses don't always have the same culture. Words and phrases found in any company's public materials should be free game. You should, of course, consider if the culture is a good fit for you. If you can laugh about them joking about a non-existent type of degree, then maybe it is a good fit. If it is confusing and makes you unsure, maybe look elsewhere. Find a place you think you'll enjoy working. If that's it, go for it :) – DesignerGuy Jan 4 '11 at 7:55
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up vote 8 down vote

You may not need a degree. Sort of like graduating from the "school of hard knocks."

An interesting use of slang. I'm guessing if you have to ask, you don't qualify. For those that are put off by it, this company is probably doing you a favor by giving some insight into how the company is managed (or mismanaged). Maybe this is a comic book thing?

I did like the Hacker / Hustler link.

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Aye, definitely doing a lot of people a favour. – Orbling Jan 3 '11 at 18:53
+1 for "doing you a favor" – Larry Coleman Jan 3 '11 at 19:01
I am so totally unhip that I would never qualify. – Robert Harvey Jan 3 '11 at 19:37
I guess if I had to post it here then I would never ever qualify. Years of business app brain damage. – Judy Jan 3 '11 at 20:25
up vote 3 down vote

The Urban Dictionary definition of straight playa is being honest and telling it the way it is. Maybe they are looking for someone who is not bashful about sharing opinions.

Note that playa means player in this context, as opposed to beach or dried lake pan.

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