For people that obtained a degree later in their career...

I just recently went up for a sys admin position and was extremely excited to break into the tier 2 realm of IT. However, because I only have an associate's degree, I was denied the maximum salary range for the position and just couldnt afford to take a pay cut. At that moment, I realized I was tired of not having that degree and I recently applied for admission to finish my schooling.

Have any of you ever had a moment that sparked you to complete you education? An IT epiphany, if you will?

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Comments

scaredoftests

I never experienced what you did in regard to just having an associates degree. I also had job experience and certifications. Now, I am going to go for more training regarding certification(but that is sparked by the job..).

ajs1976

I've always intended to finish a bachelors degree so i can't really say i had an epiphany, but as I moved up to higher jobs, I start to see more that require a bachelors degree but prefer a masters degree.

Shdwmage

I started going to school last year because I have always wanted to finish my IT degree. However what really sealed me into doing it was that the last time I was job hunting there were a lot of doors that weren't open because I didn't have a silly piece of paper that said hey I can sit in a classroom and learn stuff that is out of date and is rarely applicable to real world situations. I would have thought that my 14 years of experience and solid job history was enough, but it still tripped me up. So I am out after the checkbox and a 20-30k raise when I finish.

cyberguypr

I graduated high school in the 90s. Went to college for a few years and then dropped out because I was bored to death. I was able to build a very successful IT career. However, it kept me up at night knowing that one day I could come across my dream job and see the dreaded "bachelor's degree required". As Shdwmage said, that silly piece of paper is many times a deal breaker and reduces the universe of options available to you. I like to keep odds on my favor and my options wide open so I went back and finished the degree in 2006.

kiki162

Didn't start my Associates till 5 years after high school ended. Completed my AA in 5, then 3 years after that started my BS and completed that in 2 years time. Just enrolled for my Masters at UMUC, hopefully I'll finish in 2.5 to 3 years. So figure 19 years after HS ended, I'll hopefully have my Masters.

Would have never thought I'd be at this point, and this far. Even better when your job has tuition assistance....or you have military perks

nelson8403

I was in a good job, not a great job.. I decided to see where my career could progress and every job I saw required a bachelor degree. I decided to go back to school and probably 2 weeks after I graduated I was able to move up get a way better position and then decided to finish my masters degree and start focusing on continuing up that ladder.

kohr-ah

I got my associates (somehow graduated with 2 at the same time) when I was 27. I did that because I knew that I needed some college if I wanted to move up further and faster. I know eventually I will need to go get my bachelors degree but so far I am lucky and that my AAS and my certs plus experience have gotten me past that barrier. I dont want to go get by Bachelors until my AAS is paid off because I dont want to drive myself further in debt.

As others said, especially with the cost of tuition now and days, it is a sorry thing that a piece of paper that gives you a check box holds you up in life. I understand that it shows a form of dedication and I respect the people who went and do it but sadly it is something that will need to be done depending on the role you plan on going to.

eSenpai

My experiences and motivations echo that of Shdwmage and cyberguypr. I have had a remarkably good IT career (20+ years but I started really early) to include significant management progression without the piece of paper to fulfill the HR check box but I have always wanted to complete it(the degree). However, now I want different things and new experiences but found the silly check box seemingly holding me back. Completed my BS some 19 years into my career and now moving on to a dual degree MBA/MSIS with my Spidey sense saying to not only complete those but take the next step to PHD in Cyber-security/IA afterwards as well. I do think the unique combination of experience with a modern degree makes those of us who started late more valuable rather than less. We can show that not only do we have the experience but also that we are have continued to proactively learn.

PS: Speaking of learning: I am probably missing something but is it possible to setup an automatic signature for posts??? I have looked but can't seem to find it.

Kai123

I have a big decision to make before September. I my local college will not let me take a Bachalors unless I complete a 2 year course in IT Management beforehand (covers Linux, SQL, Java so its not to bad).

2 years for the first course (€2400 each), and then €2000 for the Bach. I've only just managed to find my first IT job so money is still fairly low.

Its also an evening course (5pm to 10pm), which if I get a promotion doing night shift, I would be spending alot of time studying, working, college, and always catching up for some of the days I'd miss.

But, Its something that has to happen regardless. I know it will bite me in the ass at some point. The 2 part-time Bach's on offer are IT Security and Programming. Not many colleges have a full-on IT Security course so it will be worth chasing.

bpenn

I think it also depends quite a bit on where you live. I live in northwest Florida and the market here seems highly competitive. I just dont think I am going to progress past my current Help Desk/ISSO role until I check that box. I feel as I have the knowledge and ambition to make the jump but its convincing HR that you are worthy of that interview is my problem.

Plus, most government contractors are looking for candidates with degrees as it makes them look better checks requirements for the company.

Shdwmage

eSenpai wrote: »

PS: Speaking of learning: I am probably missing something but is it possible to setup an automatic signature for posts??? I have looked but can't seem to find it.

Click the gear in the top right hand corner and on the right hand side is an edit signature link.

eSenpai

Thanks to all for the assist on the signature...it is appreciated.
Being that I would have sworn that link was not there before; that I can now send private messages; and that I can now post URL's without waiting for mod blessing, I take it there is some sort of anti-spammer/abuse mechanic in place for new accounts?

Edit: Apologies in advance. Not my intent to hijack the thread.

aspiringsoul

The company that I work for requires a Bachelor degree for all of their Full-Time employees.

My job offer was contingent on the completion of my Bachelor degree program.

They even require their help desk employees to have Bachelor degrees.

Thank you Degree inflation!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credentialism_and_educational_inflation

GreaterNinja

I've worked at a few organizations. One place of note was a place where anyone who wore a Red badge had a bachelors degree. If you did not have a bachelors degree (or Masters) you were considered temporary or contractor and you were given a green or blue badge. At this place I was told that anyone with a red badge was my boss. So being a tier 2 desktop guy, I had 13+ bosses (system analysts, leads, managers). I would be talked down to by some people with red badges who would play games in their cube all day. The fact I knew I was a better and smarter worker made me decide to go back and get a bachelors degree. After getting a bachelors degree my salary more than doubled. Now i'm off to get a Masters degree and some Tier 3 IT certifications because the struggle never ends.

aspiringsoul

GreaterNinja wrote: »

I've worked at a few organizations. One place of note was a place where anyone who wore a Red badge had a bachelors degree. If you did not have a bachelors degree (or Masters) you were considered temporary or contractor and you were given a green or blue badge. At this place I was told that anyone with a red badge was my boss. So being a tier 2 desktop guy, I had 13+ bosses (system analysts, leads, managers). I would be talked down to by some people with red badges who would play games in their cube all day. The fact I knew I was a better and smarter worker made me decide to go back and get a bachelors degree. After getting a bachelors degree my salary more than doubled. Now i'm off to get a Masters degree and some Tier 3 IT certifications because the struggle never ends.

I know a couple of people who are hitting that brick wall in their careers and are unable to advance due to the lack of a Bachelor degree. For some companies, the lack of a Bachelor degree can be a barrier, even if you are more than qualified for the position.

Repo Man

I'm going back for my bachelor's now. I held off until I was hired full time and was offered tuition reimbursement.

From what I see more and more tech jobs are shifting to 3rd party vendors/cloud solutions. The future IT job market is going to cater to more management/process owner where degrees are a requirement IMO

cshkuru

here were a lot of doors that weren't open because I didn't have a silly piece of paper that said hey I can sit in a classroom and learn stuff that is out of date and is rarely applicable to real world situations.

I see this so often on tech boards and having started in the medical field it always grinds me. The purpose of the degree isn't to give you the latest greatest technical skills it's to give you the tools to develop those skills and beyond.

eSenpai

GreaterNinja wrote: »

I've worked at a few organizations. One place of note was a place where anyone who wore a Red badge had a bachelors degree. If you did not have a bachelors degree (or Masters) you were considered temporary or contractor and you were given a green or blue badge. At this place I was told that anyone with a red badge was my boss. So being a tier 2 desktop guy, I had 13+ bosses (system analysts, leads, managers). I would be talked down to by some people with red badges who would play games in their cube all day. The fact I knew I was a better and smarter worker made me decide to go back and get a bachelors degree. After getting a bachelors degree my salary more than doubled. Now i'm off to get a Masters degree and some Tier 3 IT certifications because the struggle never ends.

I know you can't but I sincerely wish that you could name this company so that the rest of us know to never work there. That has to be the most appalling elitist system ever invented. What was morale like there? Are red badges, blue badges and green badges allowed to fraternize? Lol. I laugh but this makes me sad.

Shdwmage

cshkuru wrote: »

I see this so often on tech boards and having started in the medical field it always grinds me. The purpose of the degree isn't to give you the latest greatest technical skills it's to give you the tools to develop those skills and beyond.

I have to totally disagree with you on this. I know a ton of people with IT degrees that cannot problem solve their way out of a wet paper bag, but they were 4.0 students.

cynicbeard

Formerly, I was the Director of IT for a company and it was sooo shitty, but I was not allowed to hire anyone without a bachelors. I used to get droves of applicants that were super qualified, but I couldn't get them in the door because of policy.

If you need the paper, then look for a program that is competency based like WGU.

N2IT

I completed my BS right after high school, however I waited 10 years before I complete my MBA. I think if you can get your associate or bachelors right after highschool that's your best bet. A degree never expires and assuming you get it in a related field, you will get more return out of it since you'll hold it for a longer period of time.

With that said I agree that getting a bachelors later on (assuming you have you associates) or master (assuming you have your bachelors) is a great idea.

This is my personal opinion. I've actually have two deals on the table for my children. They are able to stay in the house for 2 years to get their associate degree as long as I approve of it. It's a bit controlling but I am flexible, but I won't allow general studies etc. I actually put an added incentive on the table. If they get their associates in Math I will pay for a new car and their 2 year college.

Not a bad deal if you ask me.

Shdwmage

N2IT can you adopt me? I would like that deal.

philz1982

Well, I always watch job descriptions and use those to drive my development. I saw in 2010 that I would need a BS in 2012 so I went and got my BS. I see that I will need my MS in CS and Info Sec in 2-3 years so I can completing my Masters.

Plan out your career, detail out your reqs for roles, and then get them.

philz1982

N2IT,

What if they get a dual in Math and Comp Sci

N2IT

If they do that then even better!

RoyalRaven

Be fortunate you landed a job with an Associates! A while back I tried landing a job many states away with just that level of education. I had so many opportunities I was qualified for, but couldn't really land due to not having a Bachelors. I ended up getting a job, but didnt have many to pick from. That was all of the motivation that I needed to move to the next level of schooling.

All said and done I ended up with a Masters degree and will NEVER have that issue again. It is a wonderful feeling to not be restricted by educational requirements (although I have seen a few PhD ones pop up, but they're way off the deep end in academia for job functions..lol). There is never a bad time to gain additional education and it works best when you channel your efforts and credits to an end goal, such as a degree that knocks out future job requirements.

GoodBishop

bpenn wrote: »

I just recently went up for a sys admin position and was extremely excited to break into the tier 2 realm of IT. However, because I only have an associate's degree, I was denied the maximum salary range for the position and just couldnt afford to take a pay cut. At that moment, I realized I was tired of not having that degree and I recently applied for admission to finish my schooling.

Have any of you ever had a moment that sparked you to complete you education? An IT epiphany, if you will?

See, I met this girl, and knew she was the one. So I stepped it up and finished my bachelor's degree.