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| Boulware5 2001-06-30, 11:48 pm |
| Looking through a lot of IT job listings, I see Bachelors degree required. I have one A.A. degree (in general studies) and am going for an A.A.S. degree (in networks) with hopefully a handful of certs down the road. Will this be critical down the road for me (to get a 4-year degree) or is experience equivalent to a 4yr degree in most jobs? | |
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| From what I see the most crucial thing to have is experience. But not having a degree all too often puts a "cap" on your advancement possibilities. Some employers use degrees as a way of weeding out some of the candidates, so that the ones who do not have them are all too often passed over even if they are qualified. Think about this . . . would you like to copmpete with other who have degrees when you don't? It does put you at something of a disadvantage . . . so if it is possible, I would say at least get your bachelors so the employer will have more of a reason to take a closer look at you. Then the experience and certs will help even more. | |
| TW2001 2001-07-01, 10:23 am |
| I completely agree with Randy. Also, understand that A.A.S is not comparable to A.S. Do a CS degree and use certification study for Networking Technologies. | |
| exar07 2001-07-02, 8:16 am |
| Hey welcome to my boat,
I also have a AA degree! I have interviewed and emailed my resume to many companies and have been told several times that the 4yr is
a must!
For some reason the 4yr degree is becoming more important each year. I believe soon it will be like having a High School degree.
I agree with every one else but I am in the same boat and I have noticed that the general market prefers a 4yr degree + the experience.
Plus it gives you additional edge over your competition! | |
| Bobby Digital 2001-07-02, 12:23 pm |
| I have an A.A.S (Associate of Applied Science) in Computer Networking Technology. A.A.S. are referred to as "career associates". Basically, you learning what you need to a specific job/career. There is nothing wrong with A.A.S. because it shows that you have some formal training. However, don't expect an "advanced" position because you have one.
It is still important to eventually pursue a bachelors degree, especially if you want to advance and/or move into management.
BD | |
| Randy 2001-07-02, 12:25 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by exar07
For some reason the 4yr degree is becoming more important each year. I believe soon it will be like having a High School degree.
Isn't that the way it is now? | |
| Nicole 2001-07-02, 12:48 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by exar07
For some reason the 4yr degree is becoming more important each year. I believe soon it will be like having a High School degree.
You know, they've been saying that for years, and not just about CS. The tide seems to wax and wane. In a competitive market, it's crucial at the entry level and very helpful everywhere else -- the more competitive, the more important it becomes.
I'd go get the 4 year degree *right away* if at all possible. It will help you ride out ups and downs in the job market, and it gets REALLY hard to go back and get a degree once you have a house payment, bills to pay, or an S.O. or child to support. | |
| Tekmazter 2001-07-02, 1:35 pm |
| If your applying for management, odds are you'll need it. Otherwise, AS's are fine for most posistions and the key focus will be on experience. Four year degrees are a dime a dozen these days. With 4 years exp and an AS, you should take that one every time. We all need something to set us apart. Experience in a variety of areas and enviroments is key. | |
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| College is MUST!
We are in W2K, knowledge is very important. U want to stay in a fast track. Put yourself into the program. Look into the future. Think about maybe another few decade, we will live in the space, travel to different planet like the "STARTREK".
U can work P/T while studying. Job experience is important, but tradition college education also the bottem line of your next generation.
There few basic way to success:
1> u are the only one with unique skill
2> u are Master of management
3> u create a new OS to beat up Bill | |
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| Hey,
What happenes when I go to universtity in september and take courses all year long, sept to sept. I will finish my degree in exactly 1+2 years. 1 year for University 1 (some new program which every new person has to take) and then 2 years full time in the science faculty. If I take the regular session I will finish my degree in 5 years. I plan on getting a honours as well in cs.
Any feedback will be appreciated,
Azam | |
| Nicole 2001-07-03, 12:29 pm |
| You need to consider if:
A) Can you keep up with the increased workload during the semester? Taking classes during the summer alone is not knocking two years off your degree alone.
B) Are you going to try and work as well? It would be beneficial to gain some experience, but the lower costs of tuition may offset that for you. If you are going to try and work, see point A again.
C) If it doesn't work out, can you back out and return to regular program?
D) Does your honors program truly offset the potential decrease in your GPA because of the increased workload? Personally, I doubt in CS that anyone will care if you took an honors program... it might be fun and feel good to accomplish it, but how does it really fit in with you life goals?
I'm all for year-round study. You don't get summer's off in real life; you might as well start getting used to it now while you still have Spring and Winters Breaks, etc. to cushion the blow 
But I'm also for getting some job experience while you are in college, and if this program precludes that, you may find yourself very hard pressed to get a job when you get out, with or without a degree. | |
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| Hi,
Thanks for the reply,
Well, if you take the regular session you get a job in the last 2 years, the university finds a job for you. AS for my future plans, right now I'm thinking of getting my degree, and then certifications and open up a teaching school or something.
What do you think?
Azam | |
| Nicole 2001-07-04, 11:08 am |
| Before opening a teaching school, you should probably get a few years experience. Your students will learn better and you'll have a better reputation. | |
| ccieToBe 2001-07-04, 11:42 am |
| Azam, if you can handle load, then I'd suggest going for the honors program. I personally wouldn't want to take that kind of load though. I tried taking 18 credit hours of classes last spring, and couldn't stand it because it cut way down on my free time. | |
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| Thanks for the replies,
Our university has this new thing where all 1st year students have to take what is called Universtiy1, where basically your suppose to choose the courses which will help you in your targeted faculty whether it be it CS or it be medicince. It like high-school all over again. Going full time to school is a lot of headache, I agree with you guys 100%. Hopefully, I will try to get my degree asap. If you want to get a honours degree and want to go the regular session, it will be approxiamtely 5 years. 1 year for U1 and 4 years for the degree. Anyways, thansk for all your replies, I really appreciate them,
Azam | |
| TW2001 2001-07-04, 7:22 pm |
| One important note: get some experience before you get your degree/certifications.This will benefit you immensely! | |
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| wancheta 2001-07-06, 5:08 pm |
| Does is matter what degree you have to get a good IT job? I have a bachelors in business management. I'm considering getting a masters in MIS after I obtain my MCSE. But that's another 20 grand and 2 more years. | |
| TW2001 2001-07-06, 11:41 pm |
| Well when they are asking for B.S Comp Science..
The are many different facets to IT.I suppose the Business Management degree would be good for a project design type of posisition.Of course exp is the key and essential.Getting some technical certs however will also help.Just try to get in somewhere.That is the key.
eg..A guy at work here was going to school for Business Management.He worked is way up and got involved in a lot of AIX stuff well a couple of years later he is an SA.So...keep at it. | |
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| I plan on getting a CS degree, and then get an MBA also, it only takes 11 months to get an MBA. Like everyone else says, degree's are the main ingredient to a long term job, and also a well paying one.
Azam |
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