does where you went to college matter?

[zixxer]

I.e. local university, or bigtime bigname state university

 

[Anubis]

no

 

[AdamSnow]

Sure it does.

If someone went to MIT they have a better reputation then Funshawe or something.

 

[daniel1113]

It can matter... especially if your college has a large alumni association. People definitely favor those that went to the same school.

 

[zixxer]

Originally posted by: AdamSnow
Sure it does.

If someone went to MIT they have a better reputation then Funshawe or something.

I'm not talking about that type of difference.


I mean a normal 4-year college versus a huge state-school


like university of georgia vs. a 'normal' local 4-year univ.

 

[ggnl]

Yes. You're much more likely to land a better entry level job if you attended a prestigious university. It matters less once you progress in your career, at which point your skills and accomplishments become the focus of your resume.

 

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: ggnl
Yes. You're much more likely to land a better entry level job if you attended a prestigious university. It matters less once you progress in your career, at which point your skills and accomplishments become the focus of your resume.

Yep... it's just like the importance of high school once you get in to college. High school means nothing within a year of your college education, and the same will happen once you join the work force.

 

[ravana]

what he ^^^^ said..

 

[zixxer]

basically.... I'm trying to decide whether it's worth it to go to UGA rather than my local 4 year school... I'm already almost 2 years into school btw..

 

[HardcoreRobot]

For competitive jobs, I say definitely yes. There is a reason big name companies recruit at big name schools.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: armatron
basically.... I'm trying to decide whether it's worth it to go to UGA rather than my local 4 year school... I'm already almost 2 years into school btw..

I don't think I know anyone who ever switched schools without losing a minimum of one year (even if maintaining the same major). Sure everything may transfer, but so often things are in a different order at the new school and you have to take worthless extra classes to be full time while waiting for the one class you need to come around. Non-transfers that I knew graduated in 3.5-5 years, transfers graduated in 5.5-6.5 years. I just wanted you to be aware of that possibility. One extra year in school costs you tuition + fees, but it also costs you one year of lost salary at your real job, and you are permanently one year behind in raises due to one less year of experience.

In some jobs school matters. I can specifically think of two such areas: someone in a buisness major and someone who wants to be a professor. There may be a few others, but for the vast majority of jobs, school location is meaningless. Especially after you get your first job. Then job experience is what matters, not degree location.

 

[shopbruin]

unless you know for sure you will be going to grad school, it does matter.

for grad school, get into the best one you can if that's the case.

 

[ArmchairAthlete]

Um, duh yes. Schools are far from equal.

But one case I can think of where you wouldn't be concerned is if your parents own some big business you'll be running later.

basically.... I'm trying to decide whether it's worth it to go to UGA rather than my local 4 year school... I'm already almost 2 years into school btw..

Eww don't go to UGA. Go to Georgia Tech. About the same cost and much better (unless you're doing liberal arts or something).

 

[dabuddha]

Not in the real world.

 

[Hammer]

yes it does.

undergrad does matter, unless you went to grad school in which case where you went to grad school matters a lot and your undergrad is irrelevant.

 

[alien42]

its not a simple yes or no answer, it all depends on the situation
i dont think it mattered if bill gates dropped out of harvard or betty sues 2 year college of beauty

 

[rh71]

not unless it's for a REALLY competitive job. Work experience/skills (accompanied with a 4-year degree) is always most important.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: Hammer
yes it does.

undergrad does matter, unless you went to grad school in which case where you went to grad school matters a lot and your undergrad is irrelevant.

Undergrad plays no part in where you get in to grad? That's news to me.

 

[Injury]

You should moreso decide if the program you are in is far superior to the program you will be going into at the new university.

What school you went to can get you jobs, get your foot in the door, or get you on the good side of someone, but they can't do the job for you.

Depending on the field you are in, your education may not be as important as the work you have done (ie: Graphic Arts. A person with an outstanding portfolio and no formal education has a much better chance than someone who went to a four year university with a weak portfolio.)

While most jobs are all about connections, if you are in the business field, then it's 90% connections.
IT is good to have connections, but in that situation people look for schools known for their technology. A B or C student from MIT could easily get a job over a Yale or Harvard Graduate that has straight A's in something IT, because Yale and Harvard aren't quite known for their technology.

 

[Hammer]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe

Originally posted by: Hammer
yes it does.

undergrad does matter, unless you went to grad school in which case where you went to grad school matters a lot and your undergrad is irrelevant.

Undergrad plays no part in where you get in to grad? That's news to me.

maybe i wasn't clear. if you went to a small state school, yet graduated from Harvard with an MBA, all that would matter would be the latter.

 

[OutHouse]

depends on the job.

 

[Ausm]

Hodunk U or Harvard?

To hard a choice

Ausm

 

[neovan]

I think it only depends on more prestigious collleges. All other colleges just doesn't matter.

 

[Anonemous]

Originally posted by: freesia39
unless you know for sure you will be going to grad school, it does matter.

for grad school, get into the best one you can if that's the case.

ack. Grad school matters? What about post doc?

 

[tigersty1e]

The school you go to matters a whole lot. Companies don't have time to get every possible candidate from every possible school and interview/screen them. So what they do is let the school screen the candidates for them.