View Poll Results: What is your level of education?
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Edgamacation Pole
12-31-2009, 08:46 AM
#44
3.5yrs at VT doing CPE. Dropped out because I don't fit the traditional teaching style and learn better by doing. Enrolled in Strayer University, taking online classes to get a BS in Network Engineering. Recently dropped that too because I was basically just using it to defer my existing student loans, and attending was just adding more debt (aka stupid). I immediately got a job with Verizon after leaving VT thanks to already having 5yrs of workplace IT experience. Left that job after 1.5 years and now I'm a Network Systems Admin for a DOD contractor. I'm currently designing the framework for a potential division wide SharePoint portal. I'd love to do a O/S Linux portal but no Linux equivalents that I've found have the business functionality that my company requires :( I also dabble in embedded systems on the side, and I aspire to be filthy rich like Scrooge McDuck.
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12-31-2009, 10:31 AM
#45
Believe it or not, I'm actually a HS dropout. Yup, a GED is what I have. Honestly though, I wish I hadn't as it's a case of "if I knew then what I know now", but there isn't anything I can do about it now. I will eventually get back to school though. Sometimes I feel very justified about making fun of people who show blatant abuse of the English language as most people automatically think that education equals being smart whereas by that same rule I should be speaking/typing like some street thug. Though I will admit my proof reading skills seem to go AWOL sometimes or my fingers feel like adding an extra letter.
I'm with Doppelganger. Flunked my last year in HS and joined the Army. I took the GED test while in the service. I went into the plastics industry when I left the Army and worked for some very good people that allowed me to teach myself all the basics.
I worked for a private company that became part of a public company. Two of my employees and I purchased my division and took it private again where we operated profitably for years. I am quasi retired and still pulling some benefits from the company. Hard work and long hours more than made up for my lack of education.
I must add that I feel the education system has degraded to the point that a failed high school student in my day received a better education than current college graduates.
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12-31-2009, 10:58 AM
#46
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There seems to be a strong demand for Mechanical Engineers. A local power plant that is a customer of mine tried for eight months to hire a ME at $80k a year and no one wanted the job. Yes, in Florida.
BA in Psychology for those who are taking notes.
BA in Psychology for those who are taking notes.
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12-31-2009, 10:59 AM
#47
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I am a 5th year senior in college. Working on a BS in Information Technology, BS in Economics, and a Minor in Business. I am planning on being done December 2010. I then want to own go kart track and a small indie music venue. So besides the business stuff I am not sure how relevant college is going to be.
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12-31-2009, 11:11 AM
#48
+1
I'm with Doppelganger. Flunked my last year in HS and joined the Army. I took the GED test while in the service. I went into the plastics industry when I left the Army and worked for some very good people that allowed me to teach myself all the basics.
I worked for a private company that became part of a public company. Two of my employees and I purchased my division and took it private again where we operated profitably for years. I am quasi retired and still pulling some benefits from the company. Hard work and long hours more than made up for my lack of education.
I must add that I feel the education system has degraded to the point that a failed high school student in my day received a better education than current college graduates.
I'm with Doppelganger. Flunked my last year in HS and joined the Army. I took the GED test while in the service. I went into the plastics industry when I left the Army and worked for some very good people that allowed me to teach myself all the basics.
I worked for a private company that became part of a public company. Two of my employees and I purchased my division and took it private again where we operated profitably for years. I am quasi retired and still pulling some benefits from the company. Hard work and long hours more than made up for my lack of education.
I must add that I feel the education system has degraded to the point that a failed high school student in my day received a better education than current college graduates.
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12-31-2009, 11:34 AM
#49
Its probably biased, but I'd hire someone with a background like I have before I hire some college grad with a BS in anything IT or engineering related.
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12-31-2009, 11:44 AM
#50
Unfortunately these days companies look first at the pieces of paper that you obtain from school before evaluating the potential of the individual. I think we will start seeing a surge in the technical degree area. Here's why: Half of undergrad is BS (explore what the world has to offer), the other half is core curriculum. Undergrad teaches you how to think, advanced degree is just a fancy technical degree where you learn something completely new and apply it. Sounds like a technical degree to me.
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12-31-2009, 11:48 AM
#51
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I am a 5th year senior in college. Working on a BS in Information Technology, BS in Economics, and a Minor in Business. I am planning on being done December 2010. I then want to own go kart track and a small indie music venue. So besides the business stuff I am not sure how relevant college is going to be.
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12-31-2009, 12:57 PM
#54
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BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology. Its like an engineering degree, but looked down upon by those who spent more money to do the same job I do and get paid the same. Oh and I still suck at grammar and the English language in general. Spell check is my best friend.
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12-31-2009, 01:14 PM
#55
Intriguing thread. I am on my second year at a community college. I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do. So far my credits are leaning toward Mechanical Engineering, but I don't know what I want to do in terms of working for the rest of my life. I would give anything to go to SLO. Unfortunately I do not have the funds, and only have a 3.0 gpa, considering I also work full time at a bank.
To those who dropped out, what are you doing in terms of jobs and living? Don't get me wrong, I adore reading and learning. I have read and reread Maximum boost, Internal Combustion Fundamentals, and related books. However, at this point I just want to go out and do something. I realize in this economically competitive time, dropping is the worst financial decision I can do, but I need not a whole lot to make me happy. I have no interest in being on top of the world. I just want to find a good job that can help feed and shelter a beautiful wife and wonderful children someday.
Anyone interested in starting a business?
To those who dropped out, what are you doing in terms of jobs and living? Don't get me wrong, I adore reading and learning. I have read and reread Maximum boost, Internal Combustion Fundamentals, and related books. However, at this point I just want to go out and do something. I realize in this economically competitive time, dropping is the worst financial decision I can do, but I need not a whole lot to make me happy. I have no interest in being on top of the world. I just want to find a good job that can help feed and shelter a beautiful wife and wonderful children someday.
Anyone interested in starting a business?
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12-31-2009, 01:48 PM
#56
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BS in Biology from UNC-Chapel Hill
PhD in Molecular & Cellular Biology from Baylor College of Medicine
I was a full-time student until the age of 29. Would I do it again? Probably. I have no major complaints about where I am in life. The money ain't terrific while I'm postdoc'ing for Uncle Sam, but my job is rewarding and intellectually stimulating.
PhD in Molecular & Cellular Biology from Baylor College of Medicine
I was a full-time student until the age of 29. Would I do it again? Probably. I have no major complaints about where I am in life. The money ain't terrific while I'm postdoc'ing for Uncle Sam, but my job is rewarding and intellectually stimulating.
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12-31-2009, 02:09 PM
#57
That makes a big difference to me also. I recently switched jobs...not by choice but circumstance. The job I have now is very boring. Basically supervising/managing and pushing papers. It’s not very rewarding at all. I'm not complaining because the money is good, I were a suit and sit on my ***. But, my previous job was very interesting; I did a lot of analysis that required research and the results of my labor could be seen and measured.
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12-31-2009, 02:41 PM
#58
Had one year of ChemE. My GPA only had a zero to the left of the decimal for that year, so I moved on.
BA in History...very useful if I ever decide to take the GRE or teach high school or something.
The whole debacle took six years. My buddies frequently quote Tommy Boy to me: "...and you finished in just a shade under a decade. Alright..."
BA in History...very useful if I ever decide to take the GRE or teach high school or something.
The whole debacle took six years. My buddies frequently quote Tommy Boy to me: "...and you finished in just a shade under a decade. Alright..."
I'm now back at Rutgers in an Executive MBA program, going to school full time and working full time. Hopefully i'll be done in 1.5 years and will be able to afford some cool toys afterwards......if the wife lets me....
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12-31-2009, 08:31 PM
#59
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God is a relative term so yes you absolutely can! It comes with a cool parking sign you hang from the rearview that says "official clergy business". I highly recommend it. The coolest part is you can start your own church!
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12-31-2009, 08:37 PM
#60
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I think thats 50% correct for IT. Its possible that my lack of a degree has caused me not to get an interview, but I can say that I have gotten every job I've ever interviewed for also. In IT it is my experience that real world experience and associated high level certifications are much more valuable than a degree. If I am hiring someone I will look at their experience on the job before I look at their education. Then when I interview them I can really get a feel for the type of person that they are. If they are lounging back in their seat during the interview then they probably aren't taking it seriously, if they are fumbling their answers then they probably lack some of the experience that they claim they have, etc...
Its probably biased, but I'd hire someone with a background like I have before I hire some college grad with a BS in anything IT or engineering related.
Its probably biased, but I'd hire someone with a background like I have before I hire some college grad with a BS in anything IT or engineering related.
I got into IT about 20 some years ago after getting out of the service with no paper but back then there weren't any "IT" schools except maybe EE's.
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