College

mikepence

I am thinking about starting to take some courses, working toward my degree. I would appreciate some feedback.

On the one hand, I have made a successful career for myself as a highly paid computer professional, working for a variety of prominent companies here in the USA over the last 12 years. This, in spite of not going to college for reasons that you all understand.

To date, the only companies that cared that I did not have a degree, once I had a few years experience, were companies that worked with universities and higher education products. Universities aren't real big on dealing with very successful non-degreed people. But, as I move further in my career, into higher positions, it may well become more of an issue in my career advancement that I do not have a degree.

Now, with the economy floundering, I am moving from IT consulting into a permenant position with a Big Company. Less pay, great benefits, including up to 5K per year in tuition reimbursement, including books, etc. And I work within a stones throw of Arizona State University, as well as a number of great schools here in the Phoenix area. Gotta love Arizona.

So, I have been thinking about actually starting to take some courses and slowly working toward my degree. Plus, I love learning. I read constantly.

Is it worth it? Should I go for it? I would love to hear the thoughts of my friends on this board.

Peace,
Mike

Mum

Given that you love learning, college would be a great experience for you and probably open a few more doors. I work for a government agency and our minimum qualifications for many positions specify some sort of degree even if the job could be done by someone without a degree.

I graduated from college when I was 37 years old. It was such fun going back, just hanging out with other "oldsters" on campus and the discussions and arguments in the classroom. Go for it!

Seize the day, and put the least possible trust in tomorrow. - Horace

I have learned to live each day as it comes and not to borrow trouble by dreading tomorrow. - Dorothy Dix

ThiChi

Yes! Go for it! Im all for life long learning.......

rhett

If you don't do it I am coming out to Arizona and kicking your butt. I would kill to have free tuition to ASU. If you don't take it, please quit your job and recomend me so that I can get the tuition as well as pay check.

I don't need to fight
To prove I'm right
I don't need to be forgiven.

Valis

I may be biased as a college instructor, but I assure you it is well worth it. One of the things you need to do is decide what direction you want to go in. If in fact you want to go the computer science route and already work in he industry, be prepared to sit n on classes that will bore you to death, as much of the info supplied will be common knowledge to you. It may be that you want to start off taking courses not related to your major, like English, history, etc...but do take at least one course of interest your first time around. There is nothing worse than going to school only to feel that it becomes a matter of drudgery. Art appreciation, which works great as an elective is always fun to take right off the start. I guess I'm saying to treat yourself and gauge your speed/interest accordingly. As well, it mat be that you can do credit by exam for some classes, like intro to computers etc, which will inevitably have to be dealt with, as they are requisite courses for most degrees these days. Another option you may want to look into is the University of Phoenix, which is a private institution, but has many campuses all over, and also offers online classes, which may suit you better if you are working. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Nathan Natas

Since you have the technical background, I would suggest that perhaps pursuing a business-related program would make you even more valuable to your present and future employers. (You may also find it relatively easy work compared to the tech stuff.)

Best wishes. Onward and upward!

Dogpatch

Sounds good to me, Mike. I would do it!
Randy

AlanF

College is a mixed bag. It does some people little good, but for others it's the best thing one can imagine. In some fields a degree does little more than help get you in the door for an interview, since you learn most of what you need on the job anyway. In other fields you simply don't have the tools to learn the job unless you've gone through an intense college study program. You need to figure out where your job and skill fit in this.

A lot of very skilled people find that when they look for a new job, if they don't have that college degree, Human Resources people don't look at the rest of their job application. So just having the degree can be worth a lot.

AlanF

JT

go for it

my wife and i are back in college at 39- we just finished a "speech class"

everyone, including the instructor would say about us that You guys are so comfortable speaking in front of groups

a few of the students used to say: "James would make a good preacher"

you got to love it

mikepence

Thanks for all of the feedback!

rhett - Thanks for reminding me not to take for granted what I have. I tend to do that. Having a good paying, rewarding job, plus the benefit of tuition reimbursement is great. I should take advantage of it. I recongnize those lyrics in your sig, what song is that?

Valis - Send me a personal email. I would love to chat. [email protected]. I don't intend to focus on a CompSci degree. Too much of it would be stuff I already know. And I do plan to CLEP myself out of as much as possible. Art appreciation would be great. I love art, writing, literature, math and philosophy, science and anthropology, sociology and psychology. I have no desire to pigeon-hole myself into a technology or business-oriented track. Boring! U. of Phoenix is a possiblity, but their online features suck, they are way overpriced, and I want to experience a 'real' school, if possible. I may use it for some stuff, though. Thanks.

Nathan Natas - I am actually doing this for me. Employers generally don't care what my degree is in, and I am not doing it for the sole purpose of forwarding my career. Thanks for the feedback.

Dogpatch - When are you going to answer my email from yesterday?!

AlanF - Are you Alan Fuerstein? (sp.) I know the HR shuffle, but, again, my main purpose is not employability or level of income, it is really personal achievment.

JT - Funny experience! That is great that you and your wife are doing it together!

Thanks to all!

College

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