College or Technical School?

I ask this question before releasing information I have and would like to get tons of info from you. Is it better today in this recession time to concentrate on college or going to a technical school?

 

It's not a matter of whether you attend a technical school or a college. They both provide adequate means to get you ahead. However, what matters most is if you're able to network and get yourself out there in order to acquire a piece of comfort.

 

Good advice. I try to tell young black males the importance of networking and forming that first time good impression. Some of these guys are sharp and extremely motivated to do well. I know there are many programs across the country that target young black males into schools and trade programs. I hope to highlight some of those here. I need your help out there if you know of some program that can aid in getting someone hired please advertise it here. It's time we help each other.

 

I'll be sure to search around. But one thing I can tell you is if you're in a college setting, then it's the best place to network. What better way to do that than to join an organization and even get close to any of your professors, especially those in your field of study. Plus, that's where job offerings are located, so take advantage of all that.

 

I prefer college and technical school.

I hope it gives me an advantage by having the foundation of a degree in the relating field, as well as the technical training involved in the pertaining industry.

Maybe it won't be a benefactor, but I might as well put in the extra time necessary just in case it does.

 

The technical school will give you something that college won't, and that's practical experience. In hiring for IT professionals, given a choice between someone with a BS in Computer Science, and someone with 2 years actual experience and no degree, I'll take the experienced candidate every time.

That's not to dismiss college at all, it's a great opportunity to expand as a person and learn a lot of things, and these days that degree can be a foot in the door if you're willing to start at ground level.

 

a University!

It is more relevant on what you choose as a major or in that technical school. BBW, is not correct in his notion though. I don't want a doctor operating on me that hasn't been to a medical school.

 

Let's be realistic here. Most of us with a B.S. in computer science have experience before we leave the university. You do get practical experience at the university as well.

 

Maybe in Windows or Linux, but not on the kind of large systems where the money is to be made.

 

Ummm, that's not what I've implied at all. You're look TOO deep in the statement and took it out of context. And for the record, no one can operate (at least legally) without some certification in the medical field. Medical school is essential and it's not limited to just a university.

 

So true, and job shadowing is another excellent way to network right in the field of interest.

 

It matters if you have been to a technical school or college. That's why I pointed out the doctor thing. I started looking for a job in may and got one in june. I couldn't get a job to save my life in other industries but I was able to get one in the tech industry. This was mostly due to the degree I got from a college. I really doubt that they would have hired me if I didn't go to a college over a technical school. There are some things that are not offered in one that is offered in another. Bioinformatics is another field that is desperate for employees but you can often only get that job with a 4 degree from a college masters in some cases(high paying job as well). The reverse can be said about plumbers in some cases. Network counts as well but I had no network and got the job. lol so I can only shrug about the network.

 

It depends on your specialty. Most CS majors go out of their way to figure the large systems out before they get out of college.

 

Hence, you had no point at all to deliver. But thank you for sharing your personal experience. All the more to put emphasis on networking. Even with a degree, networking would have helped you get your foot in the door quicker. I'm fully aware of what's required in any field. But today, some form of networking is essential, even AFTER stick with a company. Better a name than a number.

 

networking is important but it still does matter for college or technical especially what major you may have. Networking is sort of a meh. There are plenty of jobs that are desperate for warm bodies. You just got to have the education and put in a resume. That's the sad joke of this economy.

 

Networking is sort of "meh" for you since you never really used it before. And for the record, with so many people competing for the same job, dismissing the power of networking or say that's "meh" is awfully disingenuous and downright silly. Competition means dog eat dog and only one dog get to be top dog.

And I never belittled the importance of higher education. Nor did I imply that. But in this economy, and if you want to get your foot in the door, you have establish strong relations with people (networking) be it professors, or people you know ahead of you. Or even show yourself to places. That would get your foot in the door quicker. Good to see you've accomplished it without that bit of assistance, but don't be so quick to dismiss the importance of it.

 

I'm not saying you are belittling it but there are differences between college and technical. One is sometimes not adequate as the other and will not get you ahead. I'll give you another example. I sent in my resume two weeks ago to EA through my school(networking). EA and my school are real good buddies. Ea started up a video game school with my school. so of course, I had a heads up. Problem is I don't have a masters degree. now technical schools often don't give Masters in computer science. so that shows their inadequacy, right? The network couldn't be any better. I got the interview! but problem is the degree isn't there. lol. so of course, I'm not going to be hired. so yea.... degree counts more than the network. You can build a network any time(hence the meh) but this economy and future is becoming increasing difficult to get hired if you do not go to the right school. This procedure is used to eliminate people. I think that's one of the reasons I didn't get hired to IBM. the master's degree. again not offered at most technical schools. proving that technical schools can be inadequate to get ahead and vice versa depending on the trade/major

 

You're not getting it...

If there's one thing you're missing is that you (as the person) need to know someone who currently works in the company. You were relying on a school to help you through it instead of your own means to connecting with someone who WORKS in that company. Again, that's not networking on your part. That's just relying on a school. Of course they won't take you in because you're part of that school.

If you knew someone within that company, you could have gotten some hands-on experience and would have circumvent certain measures because they know as a person and not merely another number.

(And why EA? You could do much better than them).

But I will add one other tidbit here...video game companies would like to hire people with dual experience more so than not. In other words, you're skilled in programming, but what else can you offer to the table?

 

EA is pretty much the only large named video game industry in Florida. so it would be nice to get hired there. otherwise, I got to head out to cali fornia(I'm saying that with arnold's accent). They could have known me all they want but that lack of master's degree wouldn't have let me in. It's like trying to get hired in a hospital as a doctor. You can know the chief of medical all you want. He isn't stupid enough to let you perform without the degree and license. That is where really networking becomes unimportant in comparison to actually having the degree and going to an adequate school for your industry. Networking is maybe third. but choosing the right school is numero uno.

 

I worked as a systems engineer for IBM without a degree. VERY difficult structure to work in, though while I was there they had great benefits (since changed).