jobs -- out of college question

[ViviTheMage]

Everyone seems to state that if you get a 'simple' 4 year (bachelors) degree that you can get a job in IT -- assuming you have experience.

I asked the admissions lady at the U of M (where I want to transfer to) and she said that you probably wont get into the IT Field with a 'simple' degree, such as Theater.

My question is, I suck at math (can barely pass college math), but I am great in the IT courses, CSCI, COMT , at my local CC. So I was curious, I plan on getting my MNTC (Minnesota Transfer Curriculum) -- and get 64 credits to get my AA (Associates in Arts).

Would it be practical to end up with my '2 year' AA degree and get my '4 year' Bachelor degree from the College of Liberal Arts at the U of M and get a job in IT (assuming I have experience) ?

Or will HR ask why I have this degree, when I am applying for an IT job?

EDIT : Let me add that I currently am an IT Assistant Manager.

 

[tfinch2]

Just do the Math, don't be a weiner.

 

[Steve]

I've been in IT for over two years, and I haven't yet finished my English degree.

 

[ScottFern]

I am in my first entry level IT job and I have a bachelor's in Political Science.

 

[pontifex]

huh? if you want in IT go for IT related degree...you don't need math for IT, except for maybe programming, even then its probably minimal.

also, where did you hear that any simpel 4 year degree will get you into IT? thats the biggest load of BS I've heard in awhile. If you don't know anything about computers, how can you expect to do the job, unless its a help desk job where they train you?

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: ScottFern
I am in my first entry level IT job and I have a bachelor's in Political Science.

but you have experience in something IT related though?
if not, what is your title or position?

 

[nweaver]

Until you top out and want/need to move to management, experience > degree

although there are some places that won't look at me because I don't have a college degree...to spite the fact that I know more about what to do then the CS they hire.

 

[xchangx]

My boss nor I have a degree in IT. He has a finance degree and I have a marketing degree.

He's the IS director and I'm the assistant IS director.

As long as you have the experience you shouldn't have a problem getting an entry level job. However it may come back to you when you want to move up. When my boss leaves I'll be taking his position as IS Director, thanks to my business degree.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: pontifex
huh? if you want in IT go for IT related degree...you don't need math for IT, except for maybe programming, even then its probably minimal.

also, where did you hear that any simpel 4 year degree will get you into IT? thats the biggest load of BS I've heard in awhile. If you don't know anything about computers, how can you expect to do the job, unless its a help desk job where they train you?

like I said, I work in IT, so its not like I dont know what im doing.

you need up to calc II for a CS degree, I have taken programming courses, discrete structures, but the math destroys me .

Any advice on a degree that I should get related , like a communications degree?

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: xchangx
My boss nor I have a degree in IT. He has a finance degree and I have a marketing degree.

He's the IS director and I'm the assistant IS director.

As long as you have the experience you shouldn't have a problem getting an entry level job. However it may come back to you when you want to move up. When my boss leaves I'll be taking his position as IS Director, thanks to my business degree.

maybe I should get a business degree?

 

[brtspears2]

Network Engineer
BA in Sociology

It is all about the experience I have. The degree only proves that I can finish something I start.

 

[goatjc]

Bachelor's in Economics and I'm in IT. . .but had 5 years experience prior to my job out of college.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: xchangx
My boss nor I have a degree in IT. He has a finance degree and I have a marketing degree.

He's the IS director and I'm the assistant IS director.

As long as you have the experience you shouldn't have a problem getting an entry level job. However it may come back to you when you want to move up. When my boss leaves I'll be taking his position as IS Director, thanks to my business degree.

maybe I should get a business degree?

and then get into IT or what?
do you have any IT experience at all? thats what people are telling you. you need prior experience to get into the field, unless its some stupid ****** help desk. the degree only helps you move up.

 

[xchangx]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: xchangx
My boss nor I have a degree in IT. He has a finance degree and I have a marketing degree.

He's the IS director and I'm the assistant IS director.

As long as you have the experience you shouldn't have a problem getting an entry level job. However it may come back to you when you want to move up. When my boss leaves I'll be taking his position as IS Director, thanks to my business degree.

maybe I should get a business degree?

It really depends on where you want to go. Do you want to eventually move to upper management? If so, then yes, I would look into business school.


EDIT: But like everyone else is saying, you have to have experience. Otherwise HR will pass on you every time.

 

[thirtythree]

You can probably make more (on average) with an IT-related major, but it's certainly possible to get a job in IT with the right experience (regardless of what degree, if any, you have).

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: brtspears2
Network Engineer
BA in Sociology

It is all about the experience I have. The degree only proves that I can finish something I start.

exactly, this is what I am saying! I may even get a cert or two, just to prove I can handle IT.

I am the Assistant IT Manager where I work right now, but it is part time because I am getting my degree.

 

[Danman]

A degree doesn't really mean much of anything in IT. It just shows any future employer that you can accomplish a goal. I started as a Network Technician and worked myself up the chain. Currently, I'm a Systems Engineer.

 

[xchangx]

Originally posted by: pontifex
huh? if you want in IT go for IT related degree...you don't need math for IT, except for maybe programming, even then its probably minimal.

also, where did you hear that any simpel 4 year degree will get you into IT? thats the biggest load of BS I've heard in awhile. If you don't know anything about computers, how can you expect to do the job, unless its a help desk job where they train you?

You do need math in IT. Well not Calc. but, you need to be somewhat good in math. At least for my job you do.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I do work in IT, I added that to my OP.

 

[wetcat007]

The U of M offers a MIS degree don't they? You might want to look into that. From everything I've heard, what degree you have does not matter if you have a good amount of job experience. A degree heavily related to computers, may make up for some job experience obviously.

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: pontifex
huh? if you want in IT go for IT related degree...you don't need math for IT, except for maybe programming, even then its probably minimal.

also, where did you hear that any simpel 4 year degree will get you into IT? thats the biggest load of BS I've heard in awhile. If you don't know anything about computers, how can you expect to do the job, unless its a help desk job where they train you?

like I said, I work in IT, so its not like I dont know what im doing.

you need up to calc II for a CS degree, I have taken programming courses, discrete structures, but the math destroys me .

Any advice on a degree that I should get related , like a communications degree?

Get a tutor for the math if you can't hack it. CS is really the best way.

 

[fLum0x]

experience > degree if you can get it
if you can't get the experience you want without a degree, you are forced to get one. It all depends on the company you want to work for also. A small company will typically stretch more for you while the larger IT companies will stick to the standards of GPA and degree and such.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: wetcat007
The U of M offers a MIS degree don't they? You might want to look into that. From everything I've heard, what degree you have does not matter if you have a good amount of job experience. A degree heavily related to computers, may make up for some job experience obviously.

I am sure they do, but it doesn't look like its in the College of Liberal Arts.

 

[ViviTheMage]

what id really like to do is work for a small business (50 or so computers and 2 servers or so) and design it all myself and run it all myself, but I never see chances like that. I don't really know where to look for those jobs.

 

[xchangx]

The problems you're going to run into is getting a business to 1)hire you 2)take their system down for a week to redesign it

Good luck. On the other hand, work your way up, when you're manager or in charge of everything, come up with a plan, say over 2/3 years to replace certain servers/pc's/switches.