BS degree in CS or Closely related field?

HardDiskHardDisk Member Posts: 62 ■■□□□□□□□□
Under job description I keep seeing this requirement:

"A bachelor's degree in computer science or a closely related field may substitute for the required education and experience."

What would be considered a closely related field? Is there an official list posted somewhere?

Would my BS degree in Accounting be considered a "closely related field"?

Your thoughts please

Comments

  • brianeaglesfanbrianeaglesfan Member Posts: 130
    Most of the time they're referring to IT, IS / CIS / MIS, CE, EE, or something similar.
    Complete: MSMIS, MBA, EPIC certified
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  • BradleyHUBradleyHU Member Posts: 918 ■■■■□□□□□□
    also....if you dont have a degree in a computer related major, be sure to have the experience they are looking for. for example, if its network admin job, then have some networking experience.
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  • ssampierssampier Member Posts: 224
    This is a really common phrase. I wouldn't worry about it and apply anyway.

    I am assuming you are qualified with the certifications and experience necessary, of course. Remember: Practically no one fits the descriptions perfectly. If I have roughly 50% of what they are asking for and everything else is equal, I apply.
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  • SlowhandSlowhand Mod Posts: 5,161 Mod
    So far in my career I've held a helpdesk position, a NOC engineer position, a systems administrator position, and a systems/network engineer position. Each of these jobs listed a B.S. in "Computer Science or a related field" as required. As of this last year, I'm back in school working on an Associate's in IT and a B.S. in Computer Science to go along with my only academic credential: a G.E.D.

    HR departments try to get as much bang for their buck a possible by listing their ideal candidate; this also helps them weed out potentially unqualified applicants. In your case, if your experience and knowledge is at least up to 80% of the actual job-description, then go ahead and apply. You might get beaten out of it by someone with better skills and a CS degree, or you might beat out someone with similar skills and no degree at all.

    Good luck, let us know how it goes! :D

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  • HardDiskHardDisk Member Posts: 62 ■■□□□□□□□□
    Thanks for the comments they are helpful!

    Like objectives on a Certification exam I am breaking down the obstacles or barriers that make it difficult to find a job.

    After earning six certifications in eighteen months I am programmed to attack a problem (like finding a job) the same way I would prepare for an exam. In this application getting hired into a desirable job is the same as passing the next exam.

    So once again my thanks to members of these forums who have gone before me.
  • uhtrinityuhtrinity Member Posts: 138
    Prior to WGU and my certs I applied for IT jobs and got many interviews based on my AAS degree in Electronics + experience. That was considered a closely related field.

    This is the way I look at it:

    In IT you have three main things

    1. Experience (probably the most important)
    2. Education
    3. Certifications

    Having at least 2 of those 3 will give you an advantage over the average applicant.
    Technology Coordinator, Computer Lab Instructor, Network Admin
    BS IT Network Administration AAS Electronics / Laser Electro Optics
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