Dropout w/ vast experience vs. inexperience fresh grad vs non-practicing grad w/ PhD

[javapenguin]

---

Thanks for your input guys, your opinions are very interesting, as silent kill has pointed out there are exceptions and it's a case to case basis for anyone, well it's a big world out there and I think if we are persistent with our passion then I guess there is room for all of us, everyone is welcome in the world of programming!

[KizoneC]

dili naman mo ma reach mga bossing like cebugdev,Markcuering .

[javapenguin]

Here is an interesting blog about it degree vs tech certification

What’s better?An IT degree or tech certifications? | View from the Cubicle | TechRepublic.com

What's your comment?

[fruit salad]

That's why people in the US pursue further education in computer science to get paid more. If you have a degree, you can be a programmer for instance, yes. But if you have master's, so much more a PhD, best shot is management, or head of team. There is elevation there of course, it's education. Education is very much valued here, dang, people pay here thousands of dollars to finish one program.

For example, the company where I work, we had a helpdesk staff who finished his masters degree. He got $20,000 when he got hired by another company. So, that's $47,000 + $20,000 and that's just the start. Nothing changed but the masters degree on his resume.

It also depends on which masters program is finished. There is a masters in Information Technology and Management, or a masters in Computer Science. So lahi ang concentration. We even have a lady staff sa among department, she has a masters in IT and Management, she can't even figure out what's wrong with her printer, but she's paid $75,000. She's management. She's not the hands-on worker. Mao'y kalahian.

As for your friend, depende siguro. Why be a programmer if you have a masters degree? Hehehe... dude I tell you, programmers, the junior ones? Some of 'em don't even have a 4-year degree.

[fruit salad]

If you're in the US, the trick there is meet minimum requirements. Some positions may say they prefer Bachelor's, but most of the time, certifications are fine as long as you're good, or have substantial experience. Depends on if it is your first time entering the IT field, or you've already had experience. If you already have experience and the know-how, getting certifications is just a formality, which you can bring anywhere you go. It is proof that you are proficient in such a field. So... kung experience lang... that's a risky shot to get a good job.

See, sometimes some HR departments in companies are already computerized. Say, you fill out an online form from their website, and it asks for if you have a degree or certifications, if you don't, the system automatically drops you off because you have not met the minimum requirements. So there goes your application, down the drain.

[maddox22]

Here is an interesting blog about it degree vs tech certification

What’s better?An IT degree or tech certifications? | View from the Cubicle | TechRepublic.com

What's your comment?

I read the article. Thanks for the post. It was very insightful.

I think the most important things pointed out in the article are:
1. Who will view your resume? (HR or IT personnel)
2. I'd like to quote this from the article:

“If I am looking at a highly technical position (DBA, network engineer, etc.) then I lean more heavily toward certification. Someone with experience and a CCNA or CCIE for Cisco equipment or Oracle certifications for database admin goes further with me than someone with a generic IT degree. However, if I’m looking at a managerial, administrative, or analyst type position, the degree is more valuable.” - Ramon Padilla, an experienced IT manager

It seems that although it doesn't define whether a person with a degree is good for the job, in real world - dako gyud ug effect ang degree sa imo resume.

Although I also know that most people that excel in IT are those that didn't have a degree in IT. Most of them entered the world of IT because of passion and endured the pains of self-study. Usually these are the people who have the drive stronger than those with degree.

I've seen a lot of people in my workplace who are much much much better in programming than those who have graduated. In fact the owner of the company I'm working for now didn't have an IT degree - doesn't even have any degree. But he's made our in-house framework that can match Spring and Hibernate combined. He made it all by himself. He's also designed complex systems that's making him richer every day.

Of course this is not generalizing anything.

Kung kinsa man diha ganahon gyud magkaton ug programming - not for money or career - but tungod kay ganahan gyud mo, I encourage you to pursue it.

[MarkCuering]

1st DEGREE + 2nd INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE + 3rd CERTIFICATION (optional)

[blackdronza]

Remember BILL GATES become one of the most billionaires in the world although he didn't finished college.

[blackdronza]

some other exceptions:

i guess bill gates was too 'evil' to be an example/model of an 'exception' to the rule.. what about john D. Carmack?
John D. Carmack - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

hehee.

Well, they seems to be diffirent.BILL GATES develop software for business purposes while JOHN CARMACK is more on developing games right?

[MarkCuering]

IMHO bill gates is totally different story from his time and from our time and even in the future. he not able to finish his degree, but think about HARVARD school and the advancement of US technology than ours, and the opportunity, wealth, and brain he got