Tertiary education - Necessity?

[Slyer]

Since you have already started uni, finish it.
Personally I've chosen to go the support job and work my way up route. It's not your average support job though, I'm only supporting customers half the time. The rest of the time I'm testing, writing documentation etc etc. Sometimes training.

[Big Dave]

....henceforth.

[CookMySock]

Where can I find a job like that... I haven't seen one in years...

There isn't one. You have to buy a business, or start one from scratch to do that.

@OP, get your degree. There's plenty of time.

Steve

[Maha]

I believe Teritary education is important more so these days than say, 20 years ago. not sure about IT industry though

You are absolutely correct in a way, I couldn't further my education by the time 1978 rolled around, so I left school and went on the dole.

[Tank]

I personally think the best way forward is understanding business and how IT can help it (being an enabler) - not being the IT guy who just fixes things.

Where can I find a job like that... I haven't seen one in years...

There isn't one. You have to buy a business, or start one from scratch to do that.

What a load of fucken bollocks. There are plenty - you just have to be smart enough and hold enough credability.

But what the fuck would I know - Im a IT professional in a snr position in a global company, you sell ice creams.

[Headbanger]

But what the fuck would I know - Im a IT professional in a snr position in a global company, you sell ice creams.

Pure Gold.


Feck, The rep system says I have handed too much to Tank already. Perhaps I should give some red to DB to even it up.

[Headbanger]

Personally I'd say finish the study seeing as your already a fair whack into the process.

Once its done its there for life.

Granted I'm looking for work in a completely unrelated industry but at the moment due to the limited positions and amount of people applying for work most are insisting on a Tertiary degree in any field just to apply for the job, Meaning even though I'm going to have vastly more experience then most my application will get culled out in the very first round.

[mashman]

What a load of fucken bollocks. There are plenty - you just have to be smart enough and hold enough credability.

They do exist... I agree, never said they didn't, just said I hadn't seen one in a long time... especially in global companies... been there, done that over my 15 years of IT development... glad you've found one...

[Tank]

They do exist... I agree, never said they didn't, just said I hadn't seen one in a long time... especially in global companies... been there, done that over my 15 years of IT development... glad you've found one...

I wasn't commenting at you (I quoted you to follow the conversation so DB's quote could be taken in context).

There is a difference between "I havnt seen on in ages" and a outright statement of "there isnt one - you have to ..."

[CookMySock]

What a load of fucken bollocks. There are plenty - you just have to be smart enough and hold enough credability.

But what the fuck would I know - Im a IT professional in a snr position in a global company, you sell ice creams.

You could have offered your opinion in calm and non-abusive fashion, but seemingly you exploit every possible opportunity to not do that. It may be that you are a "IT professional in a snr position in a global company" but it looks more like you are an abusive dolt on a biker forum.

Be assured, it causes you more grief than it does me. Do you feel angry?

Steve

[spajohn]

I studied a business diploma at Polytech, and am now a senior manager in IT, as well as strategic business decision maker. Does not having a degree make a difference to me? No, career experience counts for more.

However that may be changing as the IT industry matures so it will depend on what opportunities you have to get into it. A degree is certainly going to put a foot in the door, and I think hoping to complete it part time is a big ask on yourself, so you would need to be committed to get through that, especially once you start getting $ and wanting to go and use them.

Tank made some good points, there are so many technical roles you can rise to as your gain experience, but if you want to be consulting or similar roles you really should complete your degree.

[avgas]

I always found it a bit of irony that people who did not further their study would often say "Nah your study doens't count for nothing".
Have they ever sat down and thought - all that pointless, repetitive work experience I collected over the years counts for nothing......
ask yourselves who got let go in recent recessions and foreclosures????

Seems its very easy to judge others, but hard to judge yourself.

I think tertiary education is important for any industry, but I also know work experience is just as important. This fear of being left behind on both fronts has always driven me forward in both regards. However this chews up a very large chunk of your life - and you have to have the drive to do it.

EJK - what do you plan to do. ITIL is a good accreditation to get into the IT industry - as it teaches you about service management, and service industry is the most common entry point. Its always good to know what you boss expects from you. Not most bosses will not have this accreditation - and will have taken 20 years to learn what you learn in 6 months. This does not make you better than them, but does help you understand their perspective. ITIL is also internationally recognised.

[Tank]

Not most bosses will not have this accreditation - and will have taken 20 years to learn what you learn in 6 months.

Not 'dissing the course - but I think saying that they will learn in 6 months what it takes others 20 years to learn is a huge push.

[Devil]

My 2c. If you're already in the middle of the course, stick with it. Employers like to see that. Commitment.
I dont have a degree, but did do a 10 month diploma at a private tech which got me in the door for a 1st level support job. That was about 10 years ago. Now I can afford toys and the mortgage heh

On the job experience is what has moved me up, but as said previously it depends what area. I'm technical, experience counts for a lot.

Now all the said... I cant wait to get out of IT. hah

[motor_mayhem]

EJK - What what you have described as your current position, I would say finish your course unless you can see yourself enjoying the other job for 5-20 years. It's a lot harder to slum it like most students the second time round, easier to learn as a young person and demoralising to watch your student loan go back up the second time round. Also I think some employers perceive an incomplete course as a bit of a downer (though that's only a guess). The best way is if you can get a scholarship or two during your uni time and into some graduate programmes at the end, most of them look after grads pretty well.

ITIL is very useful if you are going into IT support. Though if you wanted to do such courses I would join a large IT company first and get them to fund it, the company I used to work for paid for me to do it which cost them about 2k. On the other hand I paid for my own mcp cert, was a bit over $200 I think and IMO worth it.

Most of us can only say what worked or didn't work for us so don't necessarily take our advice as the ultimate. From what I have seen success is usually proportional to willpower.