Did I really need to go to college?

[GT1999]

It's been said to me twice this week. I'm already 1/2 way done with my Junior year and have my associates (I transferred to a State University from a community college). My major is "Telecommunications Management". Basically I take a mixed variety of business, economics, hands on, computer programming, computer theory (discrete math) and such. I keep getting the whole "you could've just gotten your certs and never gone to college deal". That would've saved 5.5 years of my life (don't ask why it will take so long, it just will). I'm already over half way done though, so I dunno. Maybe I should grab a double major?

What do you guys think?

The job I'm looking for out of college will be either a systems or network administrator for a large network or ISP. I already have 4 years of experience working as an assistant systems administrator / senior tech support at a small ISP.

Do you think the college will help me get paid more? How much do you think I'll get paid?

I'm kinda distraught right now.

P.S. This girl I'm seeing is a Political Science major and will be done 1 semester before me. She's then going to grad school at NYU. I've always wanted to move to New York City... but if I double major I'd have to stay here.

 

[dabuddha]

Yes.

 

[Rapidskies]

I can only tell you that a college degree is worth more than any cert out there. I'm the opposite of you actually, I have about every certification known to man and 14 years experience with computers, but guess what? I'm in school to finish out my Bachelors degree (which I should have done a long time ago). Most good jobs screen applicants with a bachelors requirement, so hang in there it is worth it.

 

[DeadByDawn]

I think if you don't finish you'll regret it....

 

[vi edit]

You've already put in half the time. Man up and finish the last two years. You'll appreciate it in 10 years when you go to apply for a job and are immediately roundfiled because you don't have a four year degree like everyone else.

Not to say that it is the only factor in getting a job, but it coupled with your experience is a winning combination. Within 10 years, pretty much all jobs above minimum wage are going to have a pre-req of a four year degree. Make it easy on yourself now and finish up what you've already started.

 

[Spike]

Finish the degree, it will be worth it even if it means a quarter apart from your gf.

-spike

 

[marquee]

put it this way, if 25% of the HR people have the requirement that you need to have a college degree, then not getting it automatically disqualifies you from those companies. talking to some friends that are in HR that i know, 25% is probably a very low figure, i'd think closer to half the jobs out there will want a college degree of some sort.

 

[stateofbeasley]

My recommendation is that you finish your degree. You've already put in a lot of effort, and the current job market puts you at a disadvantage if you don't have a degree.

 

[slightlyhuman]

just ask your self this


do you want to work hard now or for the rest of your life.

 

[GT1999]

Originally posted by: derrickperry
just ask your self this


do you want to work hard now or for the rest of your life.

:beer:

 

[djNickb]

My advice would be to take advantage of the business classes and learn as much from them as you possibly can. My degree in CIS was within the university's business college and the stuff I learned from those classes has been far more useful in reality than any of my CIS classes IMO.

edit: CIS = Computer Information Systems

 

[Yossarian]

4 year degree will put you ahead of every person with either an associate's or just certs. if you decide to change careers later on, just having a degree at all is quite often an advantage.

 

[Cal166]

Am in New York City and attend St. John's University majoring in Telecommunications. Into my last semester. I currently working with a Telcom company for the past 7 years. They are willing to take me in once i graduate but they aren't paying me much. So finishing your degree is worth it. Hang in there.

 

[db]

Determine a few companies you would like to work for. Make an appointment with the highest person in personnel that you can, and ask them what the ideal qualifications would be for a new employee.
Make your plans/adjustments according to that.