Reader Opinion: Degrees and Colleges
Tuesday, August 12th, 2008
Not really a security related post, but I’m interested in gathering some opinions about colleges and degrees. The reason being is that I’m becoming more and more interested in going back to college to get my bachelors (and maybe a masters).
I was in an interview some months back where the group of gentlemen interviewing me were really grilling me about not having a degree. This is not the first time, of course, but this one really struck home, because I had the chance to catch up with one of the gentlemen who informed me that if I’d had a degree, then I would have been a perfect fit for the job. WHAT?! This was particularly odd for me since I don’t feel like a lack of degree has hindered my career advancement, in fact I’m very happy with what I have accomplished thus far.
I understand the arguments from both sides, and can’t really say I disagree either way, but in a market where new players are jumping in every day, wouldn’t it be wise to have as much weight on your side when competing for jobs or contacts? My thought is YES.
So here’s where I’m soliciting your input (please leave a comment):
- Do you feel that degrees are important for career advancement?
- How do you feel about colleges like Strayer or UMUC that are not your typical 4 year institutions and cater largely to working professionals?
- Are you or have you been in a position where you want to continue your education, but have a full time job and a family to contribute to? Can you share you experiences?
I thank you for sharing your opinion.