non-I.T. B.A. / B.S. and opportunities

Z3-Masterd

Hello, Everyone.

I have a question for those of you who have tried to get an I.T. job (anything: helpdesk to software programmer) but do not--or didn't at the time--have a degree in the computer field. What kind of experiences have you had when applying for jobs or going to interviews?

My degree is in the social sciences. I have 4-5 years of relevant work experience as a technical contractor and a network technician/junior network admin. Recently, after almost a year of looking, I was finally able to land a low-level I.T. position. I have several friends who work in I.T. (and have degrees in I.T.) who were always encouraging, saying that the degree didn't matter as much as the candidate's potential. I'm not saying this is false, but I personally felt I had a harder time landing something because my B.S. wasn't in computer science or a related field.

Anyone have any thoughts or--better yet--personal experience with this sort of thing? I'd certainly be interested in hearing about it.

kohr-ah

About five years ago I didn't have a degree in IT. I was going to night school to get my associates and recently got my A+ and MCP. Previous jobs were roles like firedog (geek squad like work) and I said the heck with it and applied to a Systems Admin role. I setup servers before but never managed them. I didn't even own a shirt and tie, I had lost my job due to the economy, and was wearing the nicest Polo and khakis I had.

Know what got me the job compared to everyone with a suit and a crap ton more experience? My willing to learn and my passion in the field. It paid like dirt but I did it and I did it with the biggest smile on my face no matter how bad it was. In the end it got me to where I am now and wasn't that bad of a job.

So did not having a degree stop me? No. Degrees get you in the door easier yes but experience trumps it easily. Get your foot in the door. Get the experience. Always be willing to learn whatever you can and keep going up.

lsud00d

This is a broad stroke, but--the undergraduate degree really only matters for going into programming/development.

I have an unrelated degree and I would never ever consider going back to school for a related BS. Sure, a related MS might make sense but once you get your foot in the door, experience trumps all and the degree is just a check box.

BerkshireHerd

I agree with the previous post. I have a B.A in Sports Marketing & Management, spend the first 8 years of my working career in business / marketing and gated it. Worked very hard to land my first and current IT job as a Level II Desktop Support, no certs, no experience. I reached out to a VP at a large regional bank (92 branches and office locations). He blew me off until he had an opening but then called one day and said lets talk. I was offered the job within 10 minutes of getting there because he said he was impressed with me reaching out directly to him and that anything I lacked from the technical side can be learned easily...