[ale] Little OT: Blind Future: Advise Wanted

[Jonathan Rickman]

It's been my experience that employers as well as headhunters want to see
a degree. Personally I skipped college and took the military route. That
option isn't for everyone. In most cases, real world experience can
overcome a missing degree. Unfortunately you have neither, so you have a
tough decision to make. From what I've seen personally, a degree will open
a lot of doors...but recent military training with years of hands on
experience blows the doors down. 10 years from now, a degree combined with
the experience you will have by then will open many more doors for you
than my military training and experience will open for me. However, make
no mistake...you need one or the other. Hitting the workforce straight out
of high/prep school is a one way ticket to a position that involves
wearing a headset and supporting MS Word.

I took the military route because there is no such thing as a college that
pays you to attend. After getting out I discovered that 6 years USMC
actually put me ahead of my peers who went to college at the same time.
They spent 4 years at school, 1 year partying and looking for the startup
with the biggest signing bonus, and had 1 year of experience. Now I show
up with no degree...but loads of hands on. The idea that I was too lazy to
go to college goes out the window as soon as I say Marine. The idea that I
was too dumb to go is out of the question after a 15 minute conversation.

My advice to you is simple. Take the college route. You'll be better off
in the long run. If that doesn't work out...see the recruiter.

-- 
Jonathan Rickman
X Corps Security
http://www.xcorps.net

On Sun, 1 Jul 2001, Gary Lawler wrote:

> If every thing goes well I will graduate December 2001. I am interested
> in knowing, from you who have been there and/or know what employers are
> looking for, should I go to collage and pursue a degree in computer
> science? If yes, would a four or two year be enough?
>
> Or, I can skip collage and go get the certifications? Which
> certifications should I look more into? Any additional advise would be
> welcome!!! Hind site is 20/20
>
> What would be better?
>
> Thanks for all replys!
> --
> Gary Lawler
> Registered Linux User 172531
>
> "Love your enemies. It makes them so damned mad." -P. D. East
>
>
>
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