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Is Education A Problem?
This series is devoted to those who want to learn the principles required for success in Information Technology (IT) Careers.
While the IT Industry is a goldmine for those who have learnt to navigate it, it is a maze for others trapped by myths, half-truths, outright lies and misconceptions.
Not to worry, in this series, I will uncover the myths and presents the principles required for success in every situation.
Get a Job Regardless of your Educational Qualifications
So, one principle is this: don’t let your formal education or the lack of it, stop you from pursuing your dream IT career.
For some, the thought that they have already invested so much time or money in their current career, stops them from pursuing a better, more fulfilling, rewarding career.
For others, the fact that they don’t have formal educational qualifications makes them conclude that they are unattractive to employers and helpless about their situation.
Both positions are extreme. They come from a fundamental lack of understanding of the IT job market. Folks that think like that, have no clue that the IT Industry is driven by functional skills and hands-on experience rather than formal educational qualifications!
Don’t worry about the time or money invested in your current career because it’s a sunk cost.
And don’t obsess over your lack of formal educational qualifications because that’s not the reason why you can’t get an IT job!
Remember that while one employer may not hire you for lack of formal educational qualifications, many more employers will hire you for having the right skillsets or hands-on experience!
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Thanks for all those article u sent
Kingley I’m a high school student and am wondering if its worth going to college for a computer science degree or not.
What your opinion on college?
Roser:
Being a High School Student interested in the Computer Science profession, I would suggest that you go to college … and YES, study Computer Science, especially if you can afford it.
Just remember to work on your Functional Computer Programming / Software Development / Business Analysis / Database Skills depending on your area of interest.
Don’t wait to graduate from college before you start getting your hands dirty and don’t forgo college if you have a chance …
The problem is that some students feel that they have to complete their computer science education before they can be relevant to the industry … nothing is further from the truth than that.
Others, feel that they can’t have a career in information technology or work in the computer science industry because they lack or are unable to get a college education … which is unfortunately not true.
Go to College and work on your studies, also work on real-world projects for real-world clients while you are in school … you dont have to forgo one for the other!
Hi, IT Career Coach Team,
I have a degree and experience in education and after some courses, subsequently became a programmer/analyst, systems analyst and database administrator from 1985 to 2002, some of that time as an independent consultant.
The languages I used include:
COBOL, Fortran, Pascal, Clipper, dBASE, Paradox for Windows, FoxPro for DOS [with
SQL]. Win XP to MS-DOS 6.x, some UNIX I took all the prerequisites for a Masters Degree in Computer Science and was accepted into the Masters Degree program at a local university.
I did not pursue the degree because my supervisor said since I had just gotten a job as a programmer, I did not need the degree.
I have been doing internet research for the most part since 2002 and like it.
I have been studying internet marketing for the last two years and have been
doing independent research and taking free online classes on this topic.
Two weeks ago I applied for a Search Marketing Analyst paid internship position and have not heard from the company. I have called the hiring manager and always get voicemail.
I would be using SQL for this position. I like technical work.
Their ad was geared toward students, saying if they had good grades, were strong with numbers, had good writing and people skills, and planned on staying in town after graduation, the company would like to speak to them.
I sent an email to the company and asked if they were interested only in recent graduates, or could other people apply?
They replied and said that anyone could apply.
The position would include PPC advertising, building keyword lists, writing ad copy and testing landing pages.
I’m very good at trouble shooting and detail oriented tasks.
I am not in a position to take any of yourcourses at this time.
Do you know of any paid internships that I could apply for and have a good chance
of getting hired?
Thanks,