Re: Experience vs College Degree

[John Ross <jross-ml@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Justin,

Started working with computers in July 79. Two year technical school (in
high school) and some college. And one of those college courses was
statics. And the teacher said, you could make the results vary by the group
you sampled. I would have to say this group is older. And I would have to
say that the percent of people who went to collage when I graduated high
school versus now was lower. All I am trying to say is you could be up
against a lot more people with college educations as you apply for jobs later.

I would also look at want ads and see how many of them say college degrees
preferred or required.

I also feel having worked helped me with some of the classes, I know it did
with accounting. The controller had to explain accrual to me for about an
hour, when I had it is college I already knew what it was.

You should talk to your employer, if they will not pay for it. Ask them to
pay for some of it. Allow you to have time off if a class is during the day
that you need to attend. If they pay for other programmers to attend
seminars ask for the same amount of money toward your education. If they
are one that does goals, then try to get your education in the list of
goals and a raise tied to it, in stages.  If they agree to none of this I
would say while you are looking at those wants ads you might want to apply
for some of the jobs that will help you with your education.

Look at buying used books for your college courses and remember your
expenses at tax time and check what can be used for deductions.

And of course the number one reason to go to college, you might be on a
quiz show someday and something you learned in college just might be the
answer you need. :)  So go to college, and yes that is my final answer.

John Ross