Nigel, You may want to get a certification during the summer (MCP, CCNA, MCSE, RHCE, and etc). This will help you get your foot in the door while obtain your degree. This will also build your skills and experience. A recruiter may not consider you until you have a degree, so you may have to do some street pounding (look for a job on your own). If you work for a good company and they have the money, they will assist you in receiving your degree because knowledge is power and they want you to become a loyal employee. I am presently in this situation. Although I have learned more about computers at home and work than at college, I have to go to college since this is the general idea of the corporate world. This is the only way to make sure I never hit the promotion ceiling. Greg -----Original Message----- From: Hedges, Nigel [mailto:Nigel.Hedgesat_private] Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2001 6:55 PM To: Mary Laude; bluesdiva2001at_private Cc: cisspstudyat_private; securityjobsat_private Subject: RE: Do i need to go to university ? This is interesting. This thread is predominantly taking a rather static boolean view of it: when you either have a degree or you don't. Can I almost-OT: What about people currently progressing a degree? I'm 24, and studying part time in a double degree (Education/IT). Does anyone have opinions on how companies (or even recruiters) feel about people who are in a current attempt to obtain their degree? IS it viewed as cutting into their potential work commitment? Is it viewed as someone who is prepared to be loyal to a company that will support them through their studies? Your opinions are as always, really appreciated. Nigel H -----Original Message----- From: Mary Laude [mailto:bluesdiva2001at_private] Sent: Monday, 16 July 2001 5:36 AM To: bluesdiva2001at_private Cc: cisspstudyat_private Subject: Re: Do i need to go to university ? I would like to add that if you are female, you already are at a disadvantage compared to an equally qualified male. Say what you like about the fact that "we've come a long way"; in general "we're still not there" would be a better summary. If you are female, I recommend getting the degree. It shows that you have the stick-to-it-iveness and the academic strength to succeed at some level. So in the interview, when you are on the spot, and that old lack-of-self-confidence thing raises its head (if you are male you probably have no idea what I'm talking about), you have the background to show you really can perform, you really can succeed. I agree that whether or not you have a degree matters to some institutions, but not to others. But if you have a degree, I think it's a benchmark most people will respect. Experience on top of that, is, of course, great. Entry level, they will hire you without this if you have a degree; but later on, your experience will become increasingly important. This is my opinion, based on my own experience. Your opinion will, invariably, vary. Mary ===== %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% I can give up chocolate anytime I want to! I just don't want to. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
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