Will a non-IT degree be worth anything in my career?

I'm currently 4 classes away from my B.A in Communication studies from UMUC. I am currently in 2 of the last 4 classes I need and should be done no later than April of next year.

Now I'm curious about my degree being in a non-IT field while my career is in IT, namely security. I work in the DoD field where degrees have always seemed to me third behind experience and certifications. I've seen plenty of people with 10+ years of hands on experience do well while having no degree. To me, it comes off as having a degree is just another check box to complete, especially when it comes to management or GS positions. However, all of my coworkers have degrees, ranging in business to information technology, to include a few with MBAs and other masters.

Should I be worried? I have enough time on my GI Bill remaining (19 months) to either go for a majority of a masters in probably communications studies, or I can turn back around and get an IT associates and bachelors. Should I start over again and pursue a BS in some IT field?

Thanks!

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Comments

Vask3n

jvrlopez wrote: »

I work in the DoD field where degrees have always seemed to me third behind experience and certifications. I've seen plenty of people with 10+ years of hands on experience do well while having no degree.

Thanks!

That's pretty much it in a nutshell, I also have two degrees, one in IT and one not related to IT. Both just serve as small-talk during interviews, lol.

Although I've worked at two places so far where someone in management majored in the same non-IT degree that I have so I think it ended up actually helping in an odd way since managers could relate.

Good times

CyberfiSecurity

You should not worry about non IT degree. Your experience and Information Security certifications would compensate for that; especially, CISSP is comparable to a Master degree. If you still worry, then go for a Master degree once you complete your Bachelor. Once you earn your Master, no one cares about your undergraduate degree anymore.

pinkydapimp

agreed. i wouldnt worry about the non IT degree or waste time going for an associates or bachelors. If you do go back get a masters. TBH with your experience and certs you have a nice skillset that sets you apart from others. Communications is very beneficial in IT when you need to sell an idea or project to the business side stakeholders. There of course are other IT roles where you could also use communications skills like sales engineering. And sales engineering roles in the security sector pay very well.

jvrlopez

Just thought I'd give a bump to this topic and let everyone know that I turned in my final assignment today...I just need to wait and see how what grades I got, but everything looks very well.

Danielm7

Congrats! Always feels great to finish a big milestone.

pinkydapimp

congrats. So whats the plan?

paul78

Congrats! Nice accomplishment.

jvrlopez

Thanks everyone. It feels good to be done at the moment. Just need to wait for my grades to make sure it's a done deal. If I do graduate, I'm not sure what I'll be doing after. I will have plenty of free time and will probably look to study towards a Linux certification.

TechGuru80

So some jobs just require or desire 'a' degree but some look for a specific type of degree.

You see that a lot with DoD type jobs because a large majority of people are coming from the service and essentially play in a different ballpark than the rest (not saying better, just different). Generally there are requirements on amount of people they need with military experience.

Your degree will serve only the purpose of being able to communicate and write effectively (hopefully). Other than that it will not really help. A business degree helps with managing business aspects therefore can directly relate to areas like risk management, resource management, etc.

If you want to work in IT and plan on going back to school either do business or IT to get that exposure. Certifications are great but those alone will not get you past HR.

N2IT

I think it really depends on the role you will be going into and your previous experiences.

Software developement, straight out of school, bet your arse it will hurt to have a non it degree.

Experience with systems etc and a non it degree, it's a non issue IMO.

kohr-ah

So here is my thing ive told others (excuse mistypes I am on a cell)

A degree you need to realize shows you basics but shows you are dedicated to accomplishments. You have dedicated your time to furthering your education and making yourself more educated. You have A DEGREE which means you pass the general hr filter.

Also congrats when you pass

N2IT

@ Kohr-ah I think this is the case for most entry level positions, but IT positions that require hard skills favor IT degrees not liberal arts etc. Most of our .net dev's all had CS degrees and usually hit the ground running month 3. By Month 9 they were delivering at a high level.

Overall in most situations an IT degree is far superior to a non IT degree if you are going into an IT function. This is as clear as day from my current and past experiences.

The wild card in all this is your previous experience. Any joker can say well I have X degree and they required Y, but fails to mention they have 10 years of industry experience. While in the real world that is great and that means A LOT, on these forums it's generally useless.

GreaterNinja

GS positions typically favor business degrees, STEM degrees, and IT degrees. Ultimately, your bachelors will open up doors because it meets the requirements to move up.

Bachelors = GS-5 to GS-11
Masters = GS-9 to GS-13
PHD = GS-11+
This also is based upon your years of experience, prior military service, aptitude, certs, etc.

GoodBishop

jvrlopez wrote: »

Just thought I'd give a bump to this topic and let everyone know that I turned in my final assignment today...I just need to wait and see how what grades I got, but everything looks very well.

Congrats!!! Way to go! I bet you're glad that's over.

jvrlopez

Grades were posted not too long ago. The class I was most worried for, my senior seminar, ended up being my highest grade (an A), and Intro to Cybersecurity, which I thought would be an easy A, ended up being my lowest graded course at a C (I missed a few assignments).

All the requirements have been met for my degree, I just need to have my degree conferred.

Glad this is over with finally.