Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Pro Business republicans are NOT for american people

Stompy · 11-26-2004, 02:03 PM

The degree thing in the IT field is a myth. You don't need one.. depending on where you work. Programming for MS? Yeah, you'll need one. Square-Enix or Blizzard Entertainment? Yep. Average middle sized business? Nope. Hell, I know programmers who were hired into Ford Motor Company (here in Detroit) with just 3 years of programming experience.

I'm sure the degree helps somewhere, but the majority of the time they hire based on experience. You have a programmer who knows Java, C/C++, ASP, C# (.net), Sql Server, Oracle, DB design, networking, security... and 8 years of experience doing that vs. someone FRESH out of college with a Bachelor's in Comp. Science or Comp. Engineering. I'll bet you any money right now the one without the degree will be hired.

Later on a few years down the road when they're handing out promotions and it comes down to him vs. another programmer with the degree, then yeah, the degree may matter, but it's not a hindrance in helping one find a job.

I know TONS of programmers (myself included) who don't have degrees. In fact, I only have ever met ONE programmer with a degree, and quite honestly, he's not doing much better than I am right now.

I'm going to college now working on my degree, but trust me, I've seen the classes I'll have to take and they won't be teaching me anything that I don't already know or haven't done (well) in all of my years as a programmer. The ONLY thing I'm learning that I don't already know would be the math, and probably some other non-related BS class like chemistry or anthropology.

You may learn a thing or two from the theory classes on programming or design, but nothing you can't learn on your own by reading a few books. Don't get me wrong, I'm still gonna get the degree, but I won't be any more "able" or qualified then compared to now.

It really is just a piece of paper.. at least, computer science is.

I've thought about changing my major to biology though.. that's another story. I don't expect to get hired as a scientist without the proper degrees, but being in IT is quite different.

11-26-2004, 02:03 PM	#50 (permalink)
Stompy Banned from being Banned Location: Donkey	The degree thing in the IT field is a myth. You don't need one.. depending on where you work. Programming for MS? Yeah, you'll need one. Square-Enix or Blizzard Entertainment? Yep. Average middle sized business? Nope. Hell, I know programmers who were hired into Ford Motor Company (here in Detroit) with just 3 years of programming experience. I'm sure the degree helps somewhere, but the majority of the time they hire based on experience. You have a programmer who knows Java, C/C++, ASP, C# (.net), Sql Server, Oracle, DB design, networking, security... and 8 years of experience doing that vs. someone FRESH out of college with a Bachelor's in Comp. Science or Comp. Engineering. I'll bet you any money right now the one without the degree will be hired. Later on a few years down the road when they're handing out promotions and it comes down to him vs. another programmer with the degree, then yeah, the degree may matter, but it's not a hindrance in helping one find a job. I know TONS of programmers (myself included) who don't have degrees. In fact, I only have ever met ONE programmer with a degree, and quite honestly, he's not doing much better than I am right now. I'm going to college now working on my degree, but trust me, I've seen the classes I'll have to take and they won't be teaching me anything that I don't already know or haven't done (well) in all of my years as a programmer. The ONLY thing I'm learning that I don't already know would be the math, and probably some other non-related BS class like chemistry or anthropology. You may learn a thing or two from the theory classes on programming or design, but nothing you can't learn on your own by reading a few books. Don't get me wrong, I'm still gonna get the degree, but I won't be any more "able" or qualified then compared to now. It really is just a piece of paper.. at least, computer science is. I've thought about changing my major to biology though.. that's another story. I don't expect to get hired as a scientist without the proper degrees, but being in IT is quite different. __________________ I love lamp. Last edited by Stompy; 11-26-2004 at 02:08 PM..