In the tech field, no one cares about education. Just experience now WOW eye opener!

Armymanis1

Thanks for all the quick reply's. I just don't know which path I would even want to go at. As long as I can pay rent, get some extra things and pay all my bills. I don't see the problem. I make pretty good money right now and I am doing data entry work/interpreting technical situations. I used to work at a help desk and this is a step up from that because I don't deal with customers at all. I mainly deal with Production Specialists, engineers, and other employees trying to get technical information from them if it is not listed in the Report.

I have always wanted to lead a team, but I don't seem to even have the people skills yet and no matter what I say I can't get into the position. It seems like a lost cause at this point and no one cares about the degree. They mainly care whether I can talk to people in a professional environment and do the job with confidence. I am working on both really hard.

Like I said before, I have no plans on getting a family, expensive car, or a house. I just want to pay rent the rest of my life and have fun. I don't go on vacations anymore and refuse to. My ex and I would always take vacations, but since she broke up with me. I have no desire to do that and i have no desire to get back and meet anyone new. I just want to live my life and have fun. Familes are too much stress.

I tried an experiment when I was dating my ex on taking more responsibility and I freaked out and had a mental breakdown. I went to counseling for it and now I am a better person and back to normal. The only responsibilities I can handle are rent, bills, and my dog. Other then that I don't want any of the extra responsibility.

markulous

Not to play armchair psychologist, but I think the above post shows why you made this thread. It sounds like you're a bit jaded with life in general and that's come through with your outlook on IT and your career.

earonw49

markulous wrote: »

Not to play armchair psychologist, but I think the above post shows why you made this thread. It sounds like you're a bit jaded with life in general and that's come through with your outlook on IT and your career.

Precisely. Sounds like more of a personal problem rather than a career and schooling problem.

fuz1on

Just wanted to add...

If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you.
If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.
- Unknown

That is all.

darkerosxx

Some of OP's frustration may come from seeing required degrees in some positions/locales and seeing the value from an online degree, wondering why something like that would be required. One thing I caught in OP's first post was saying experience with people can trump degrees/certs... well, that's what a majority of people assume you got when you got your degree. You got experience working with students, groups, professors. That's a big thing you lose out on with most online degrees, not all, and I can see where the frustration comes from. If you don't see value in your online degree, my suggestion is drop them and go to a brick and mortar school. If you ever feel like your degree isn't bringing you any value outside of a piece of paper, it's time to switch schools, because you're wasting your money.

Armymanis1

I already went to a brick and mortor school and tried to get a bachelors degree. I switched to WGU because I thought that may be better. i can't do math worth crap and the brick and mortor school said i would have to take an abundance of math after pre-calculus. I know how my brain works. I have no learning problems, but I know my brains capabilities. It takes me three times to just finish one level of math so its no use spending my whole life doing something i will never get.

My plan now is to just work lots of entry level IT jobs building up my professional resume and my ability to speak with people at work. I also need to build my confidence. I will go back and attain a degree if I see fit, but I will most likely be paying down all my debt and saving up for certs and just do things on my own time. I hate schedules and that's what i had to follow at the brick and mortor school. I can follow work schedules pretty well. School since I see no money coming from it, is a waste of time. I don't plan on making more then I am right now. I dont want a family ever. I can't have kids anyways cuz the doctor said so. One of the main reasons why my ex left me. lol

-hype

moparbob wrote: »

hmmmm, not sure about that

I have a BS in networking and no experience at all. I have applied probably well over 50 jobs and only got about 4 interviews. This is back in 2010. Every job posting I see wants experience.

Since I got my A+ and still nothing until 3 years ago I finally got a job in Break/fix which really has nothing to do with Networking.

Networking is a mid-level job. Sorry but no one wants someone fresh out of college managing their company's network infrastructure with 0 networking experience.

TechGuru80

School gives you knowledge in a faster time frame than you would get on the job. Stupid? That's a laugh. The same goes with certifications which validate knowledge. There are little bits and pieces that come from real life issues that are gained through experience but school is hardly worthless. Part of the issue is there was not a lot of "good" tech education when many of the "haters" were coming through so they have no idea. Good luck getting into a manager role or a high paying role without a degree these days. You have said that you are satisfied with where you are at but be aware of you plan on getting the real good jobs you will need a degree. CIOs without at least a bachelors are far and few between...the same goes for CEOs...however people are blinded by the one Steve Jobs, or the Mark Zuckerberg (who was at Harvard not a low college).

MordyIT

Armymanis1 wrote: »

So every time I get a new job I am finding out more and more that going beyond an AA is a waste of time. I love my new job and don't really plan on having a family, house, or an expensive car. I already make enough money right now and I am finding that whenever I get hired they always just care about my experience. No one gives a crap about school or certifications. I think I am just going to concentrate on getting more experience. I love my new IT job right now and don't plan on being an engineer or anything like that. Being a Supervisor requires you to have previous leadership skills so no IT Bachelors degree there.

I regret signing up for WGU and wasting 3k, but now I won't make that same mistake again. Just going to try to finish one quarter and then cutting school loose. I may go back if i really need to, but as I am finding out more about life. It is amazing. You have to have people skills to move up or your education and certs don't mean jack squat. I am going to concentrate on my job now and getting my people skills up.

Just thought I would post this here for anyone who is stressing out about stupid school.

I'd strongly disagree. My B.S In Engineering has helped me think critically in a way other purely IT people seldom can.
Many jobs I've seen require a B.S Degree.
If you're happy like some of my colleagues who have many years experience doing the same thing year after year with no continuing education, then that's your pejorative.
For people like me who aren't happy renting in bumble town for the rest of their lives with no prospects of wanting a family or a Porsche 911 (used), we'll keep moving on.

pinkydapimp

Armymanis1 wrote: »

I already went to a brick and mortor school and tried to get a bachelors degree. I switched to WGU because I thought that may be better. i can't do math worth crap and the brick and mortor school said i would have to take an abundance of math after pre-calculus. I know how my brain works. I have no learning problems, but I know my brains capabilities. It takes me three times to just finish one level of math so its no use spending my whole life doing something i will never get.

My plan now is to just work lots of entry level IT jobs building up my professional resume and my ability to speak with people at work. I also need to build my confidence. I will go back and attain a degree if I see fit, but I will most likely be paying down all my debt and saving up for certs and just do things on my own time. I hate schedules and that's what i had to follow at the brick and mortor school. I can follow work schedules pretty well. School since I see no money coming from it, is a waste of time. I don't plan on making more then I am right now. I dont want a family ever. I can't have kids anyways cuz the doctor said so. One of the main reasons why my ex left me. lol

The problem is you cant work entry level for ever. you are going to get to a point where they can find cheaper people for the job. And you will then be over qualified for entry level, but underqualified for other stuff because you dont have certs or an education and you stayed in entry level positions for too long.

I have seen this happen. People get comfortable, and get laid off in their 40s and end up unemployed for a long time. That degree is insurance and will help you later in your career if you have to make changes and do something different.

More important than a degree, i think you need to speak to a professional therapist of some sort. I think they would help you more short term than anything else. Good luck.

stryder144

VIDEODROME wrote: »

Also, I'm wondering if possessing Certifications and Experience can itself be applied toward College Credit?

Most positions I see require a two-to-one ratio of experience to college if you don't have a degree. So, one could labor through four years of college or labor through eight years of relevant work experience. Unfortunately, a lot of places will overlook someone without the degree, so getting the experience can be very difficult. Better, in my opinion, to get both.

MeanDrunkR2D2

Wow... As others have said, Experience may be king, but and education with a BS/BA is important as well. Many employers do look for that, especially when it comes to higher level positions. So in the OP's case, he's fine working lower level IT positions, but hasn't hit the point that he may want to grow out of that line of IT. Helpdesk/Desktop is many times a thankless job and one that one should strive to work out of into better positions down the road. I'm sure that my having a bachelor's degree has helped me at the least in getting interviews because I have that, and in some cases I know it's because of that I was selected over others because we were all similar when it came to experience/projects, but I had a BS and he did not. I got the job, he didn't.

If a person is in school, I would highly recommend that they complete it. Now, you don't have to go full time, but if you go part time you can knock it out while you are getting that experience. Find a school that is affordable and if possible use a community college to knock out many pre-req's and gen ed classes. Not only will they be cheaper, but they should be easier in comparison to a 4 year university. Not to mention that you will actually have a name and face your instructor will know.

anhtran35

Armymanis1 wrote: »

I already went to a brick and mortor school and tried to get a bachelors degree. I switched to WGU because I thought that may be better. i can't do math worth crap and the brick and mortor school said i would have to take an abundance of math after pre-calculus. I know how my brain works. I have no learning problems, but I know my brains capabilities. It takes me three times to just finish one level of math so its no use spending my whole life doing something i will never get.

My plan now is to just work lots of entry level IT jobs building up my professional resume and my ability to speak with people at work. I also need to build my confidence. I will go back and attain a degree if I see fit, but I will most likely be paying down all my debt and saving up for certs and just do things on my own time. I hate schedules and that's what i had to follow at the brick and mortor school. I can follow work schedules pretty well. School since I see no money coming from it, is a waste of time. I don't plan on making more then I am right now. I dont want a family ever. I can't have kids anyways cuz the doctor said so. One of the main reasons why my ex left me. lol

This is much DEEPER than IT. This is a PERSONAL issue that you have encountered. Hopefully, you can resolve this issue through counseling etc...otherwise...when it comes to relationships...I always advise focus on you career = 1.) Degree 2.) Certs 3.) Experience. Chicks come and go.

Codeman6669

I have a person that has a master's degree in security making less than me doing the same job. I have five more years experience and three certifications. Another guy has an associate's in computer science, I have five more years expereicne and three certs ahead .... I'm making more. From what I noticed a degree in I.t. means nothing in light of knowledge. I'd rather have ssomeone that has certifications on the team then a person with a brain of entitlement with a degree and still be struggling with the basic concepts of the job. I will likely never get a degree maybe later in life. Until then I'll kick ass getting experieince and get some respected certifications. So far this method has done more for me than others with degrees.

MeanDrunkR2D2

May I ask what degree you were focusing on? There are other IT related degree's that aren't very focused on Math courses. For example, my BS in CIS I only had to take a rather basic math class (Just one) I think it was Statistics. I hated that, and I hate math in college as most of those formulas and techniques they teach aren't truly relevant in the real world unless you are programming or doing something else that would require it. Networking though, will have some math involved, but most likely not "college" course type of math. If that's your sticking point, I'd re-evaluate what you want for your degree and see if something else would work out better for you long term and still get you that degree.

I understand that you've had hardships and are currently fine with just doing the bare minimum and not really having a desire to better yourself or move upwards from what you are doing now. You will find yourself truly painted in a corner later in life where you cannot work entry level and will find it harder to get those type of positions as you may have too much experience. Hiring managers may wonder why you have no desire to move up and may pass on you for that alone. As others have stated, you do have some issues that you will need to address at sometime in the future. You've been burned by relationships in the past, and that's normal. You may even find a woman who doesn't care or want kids as well and can be someone you truly match well with. And if you do find someone that does want kids and you are unable to have any there are other means should you and her choose to have children and you can raise that kid to be a fine upstanding person. Honestly, it sounds as if that is the reason your ex left you, she is VERY shallow and was probably a great thing that she left you (No matter how much it hurts). If you love someone, you don't just leave them if they are unable to provide a child by normal means. If you both want it, you will find a way to make it happen.

School is what you make out of it. It's not supposed to be easy and is exactly what you put into it. Hard work, dedication and you can improve yourself, your confidence, and bring back that desire that you likely had at one point without putting yourself into a hard time mentally.

vtrader

A tale of two paths. About 16 years ago, when I decided to go to college a friend of mine decided not to go, instead got a job training scheme in IT. Lets just say by the time I left college(dropped out) he was earning a lot more and debt free then I was in getting my first post college job(non IT). Long story short he is now at management level earning tons of money, while I am trying to struggle to get my foot into the door. He does not have any degrees, and has advanced alot in his career. But that was back then, the boom years, thats where he got his foot in the door. Now the competition is high, and a degree has become another candidate short listing tool.
If I knew then what I know now, I would of done the same thing, saved a few years and be debt free, as well as advanced into a great career.

Jon_Cisco

OP - It sounds to me like you are simply depressed. This could be a short or long term thing but it can be managed. I don't think you can sort out the school situation until you deal with the personal issues you are facing. Clearly if you are happy where you are there is no need for education in your life but if that were true I don't think you would be here talking about it.

Computer and Information Technology Occupations : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Interesting listing of entry level requirements. Computer support specialist needs it's own page to describe how to get a job. Web developers apparently excel with an associates. Every other position asks for higher level education. I believe anyone that wants to work hard and put the time into doing a great job will have the opportunity to succeed. There will always be examples of this but it usually means you do your learning somewhere other then school.

MeanDrunkR2D2

vtrader wrote: »

A tale of two paths. About 16 years ago, when I decided to go to college a friend of mine decided not to go, instead got a job training scheme in IT. Lets just say by the time I left college(dropped out) he was earning a lot more and debt free then I was in getting my first post college job(non IT). Long story short he is now at management level earning tons of money, while I am trying to struggle to get my foot into the door. He does not have any degrees, and has advanced alot in his career. But that was back then, the boom years, thats where he got his foot in the door. Now the competition is high, and a degree has become another candidate short listing tool.
If I knew then what I know now, I would of done the same thing, saved a few years and be debt free, as well as advanced into a great career.

There is no guarantee that had you skipped school you'd be doing as well as your friend. Your friend is the exception, not the norm. I know that in every company I've worked for there were more with a BS than those without, and those without were usually mired in lower level jobs. Also, you didn't finish your degree, so it's not exactly the same as comparing to someone who does have a BS degree. As many who discredit a degree, you also do not have one. The only thing I didn't like about my degree is the student loan debt I achieved while in school. I could have done it smarter, and didn't and I'm paying for it now. But that degree has helped me move into the position I am in now and I do make pretty good money and have been chopping my debt hard and should have it all gone within a few years.

What would have helped me more was to not take a break from college when I was fresh out of high school and postponed it. Had I done that I would have graduated before the end of the great tech boom of the 90's and would probably be much further ahead than I am now. That is honestly my biggest regret was that I didn't take school seriously until the early 2000's and really focused on my studies then.

colemic

OP, I seriously hope you reconsider. There's a lot of sage advice that has been given in this thread, and they are all saying the same thing: Get the degree. It will pay dividends in the future.

Armymanis1

I see very few people in higher positions who are my age or in their 30's. They are all 50's or 60's. I see no point in wasting life stressing out about moving up. I am just going to enjoy my job and life. I make $16 an hour right now and that is fine for me. I have money to pay rent, bills, and to get extra stuff. Thanks for all the input

I promised myself to make me really un-datable so no one can take away my money. I sit inside all day, watch tv, play video games, drink and do other things that I want to do. I am happy with my life style and having no responsibilities above that Have a great life guys Don't waste it learning like you guys are doing.

broli720

I can't tell if you're trolling or not...

cyberguypr

^ I though about that but quickly concluded the OP has issues. He's happy (or is convinced he is) in his own non-standard way, so that's all that matters.

markulous

Codeman6669 wrote: »

I have a person that has a master's degree in security making less than me doing the same job. I have five more years experience and three certifications. Another guy has an associate's in computer science, I have five more years expereicne and three certs ahead .... I'm making more. From what I noticed a degree in I.t. means nothing in light of knowledge. I'd rather have ssomeone that has certifications on the team then a person with a brain of entitlement with a degree and still be struggling with the basic concepts of the job. I will likely never get a degree maybe later in life. Until then I'll kick ass getting experieince and get some respected certifications. So far this method has done more for me than others with degrees.

That's a very poor example of how a degree can help (or in this case NOT help). The degree isn't the ONLY factor here as you've said yourself. Experience is a huge factor as is work ethic, customer service, ambition, etc. If you don't want a degree than that's fine but just because you work with a couple of guys that have them and don't get paid as much as you do, doesn't mean they mean nothing.

I work with people too that rely heavily on their degree and don't try to further themselves with knowledge or certs and that's more reflective of those people not the degree. It's like a tool and it needs to be used properly and by the right person and it will help in a lot of areas. If the person doesn't utilize it correctly then is it the tool's fault or the person's?

vtrader

Don't some places offer opportunities for a Masters without a BSc, if you have exceptional work industry experience to demonstrate you can handle it?

hurricane1091

Not reading this whole thing.

Just saying I have 2 Associate's Degrees and the certs under my profile (and soon to be CCNA Sec hopefully). Been out of school for a year. Found a job immediately, was a contract and ended. Found another job (where I am at now) a couple months later. It's above help desk and entry level desktop support. Problem is that the pay is low. Obviously I can do this job elsewhere, but is the reason I didn't get the jobs paying 10k+ more doing the same thing because of lack of a BS or lack of experience? I don't know yet. So my advice is to the OP if you want to be an IT Director, get a BS. If you want to be an engineer, get certs. If you want to guarantee yourself eligibility to every position you may want, then you should get both those and experience. I could get a BS relatively quickly, so I might be doing that. Most of the jobs out there say a BS or combo of AS/Certs/Experience

I would never fault someone for getting education. I'll say this, I know more than someone with just a BS and no certs that is my age. Certifications teach you more things than college, it's just the facts of life. But if you can't get into the interview room, you can't display that.

TL;DR, a BS is nice, bare minimum to gain experience is at least AS + worth-while certs. Having nothing and doing nothing is bad.

fuz1on

Armymanis1 wrote: »

I make $16 an hour right now and that is fine for me. I have money to pay rent, bills, and to get extra stuff. Thanks for all the input

I think I made $16 when I was 16 years old. BTW, I'm in my early 30s and in a "higher position". I think ambition and success go hand-in-hand - how are you going to get a date if you don't even love yourself? Maybe it's really time to step back and reevaluate your priorities and goals in life.

spicy ahi

OP, I'm not going to rehash what everyone is saying. All I want to say is good luck with that.

zidian

@moparbob, get the Net+ and Sec+ man. The exams are pretty inexpensive. If you use Darril's books for either I bet you could have both by the end of March. Your BS in networking will have covered the vast majority of topics already.

sthomas

Armymanis1 wrote: »

I promised myself to make me really un-datable so no one can take away my money. I sit inside all day, watch tv, play video games, drink and do other things that I want to do. I am happy with my life style and having no responsibilities above that Have a great life guys Don't waste it learning like you guys are doing.

I think you are being facetious here.

hurricane1091

There comes a point where if studying consumes your life and you live to study, then it's unhealthy. It's also unhealthy to limit yourself and potential by becoming stagnant when opportunities are available with some time and effort.

Tread carefully OP.