College or Technical School?

[Morning Star]

I still say you're being disingenuous with your claims. Certainly, it would be difficult without a masters degree to get in, but to say the chances are next to nil? That's just lacking confidence. Simply getting an education really won't mean much. You'll have to get some experience out there as well. Your chances of getting in would be much better if you actually did some programming outside the company as well, along with networking.

Even if you created some small flash games on the net and the programming codes were adequate enough, they would have helped you go through the process because you're on demand. But because you've simply went through college and only received some education there without really doing some programming outside of it, they didn't really factor in other areas.

The game industry itself is a bit of a different beast altogether, I'll admit. More so because developers and publishers alike would demand that people who they hire should be more than simply developers. It's a critical field and (only) programmers are expendable.

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.

 

[archangel]

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).

The one thing I can't believe is the change then and now. They have made everything so difficult for our generation in comparison to back then. I know a woman who is in her 50's and worked at atari with no bachelor's degree. Now, it is so hard to do that. I really got lucky on this job because I got thrown into production. If I had accepted that job at ibm, I'd be doing testing and what not. I had enough of that at motorola. I don't want to do it again. at least now, I have a fast move into the industry since I am on the large money making systems. I'm still waiting for webspehere.

 

[archangel]

I still say you're being disingenuous with your claims. Certainly, it would be difficult without a masters degree to get in, but to say the chances are next to nil? That's just lacking confidence. Simply getting an education really won't mean much. You'll have to get some experience out there as well. Your chances of getting in would be much better if you actually did some programming outside the company as well, along with networking.

Even if you created some small flash games on the net and the programming codes were adequate enough, they would have helped you go through the process because you're on demand. But because you've simply went through college and only received some education there without really doing some programming outside of it, they didn't really factor in other areas.

The game industry itself is a bit of a different beast altogether, I'll admit. More so because developers and publishers alike would demand that people who they hire should be more than simply developers. It's a critical field and (only) programmers are expendable.

I have a long list of programming languages and experience so I know that wasn't it. At the end of the discussion, it dawned on me that they were looking for a person with a masters degree. It isn't always the case but the degree is a monster on that resume. You don't have it. Your resume is more than likely gone with or without the networking. It really isn't like what it was back then. networking is good but the degree counts more. Then it is all you. finally the networking.

reminds me of the tv show code monkeys. back when you didn't need a degree and just did good networking. You could get a job easily. Now, everything has gotten more complicated.

 

[Morning Star]

Fair enough. But there have been people who managed to pull that off really well. They've pretty much done everything plus obtained their degree to help them a lot.

I have a long list of programming languages and experience so I know that wasn't it. At the end of the discussion, it dawned on me that they were looking for a person with a masters degree. It isn't always the case but the degree is a monster on that resume. You don't have it. Your resume is more than likely gone with or without the networking. It really isn't like what it was back then. networking is good but the degree counts more. Then it is all you. finally the networking.

reminds me of the tv show code monkeys. back when you didn't need a degree and just did good networking. You could get a job easily. Now, everything has gotten more complicated.

 

[TreePixie]

The one thing I can't believe is the change then and now. They have made everything so difficult for our generation in comparison to back then. I know a woman who is in her 50's and worked at atari with no bachelor's degree. Now, it is so hard to do that. I really got lucky on this job because I got thrown into production. If I had accepted that job at ibm, I'd be doing testing and what not. I had enough of that at motorola. I don't want to do it again. at least now, I have a fast move into the industry since I am on the large money making systems. I'm still waiting for webspehere.

This was about ten years ago, but to be sure we were "insourced" from another company which was "outsourcing" its IT work. Eighteen months later, they went through another merger and re-insourced us back from IBM. In both directions I had to go through the entire resume/interview/hiring process. In six years I worked for 6 different companies without changing jobs because of all the insourcing/outsourcing/mergers/purchases. Very weird time in IT.

 

[lippy]

when world news came out with the august 2011 report on unemployment they also did a segment on manufacturing jobs, IT jobs etc...all of the jobs that they are reporting in abundance right now come with the requirement of technical schooling...i am actually trying to steer my son in the direction of a technical school vs. college or university...i feel that if he can gain technical skill in a couple of areas...get his first two years in at a community college then complete his education at the university level this would be the best strategic move for us as a family...

 

[qnet]

I've had a decent job for about 16 years so, I don't know much about today's job market. From my personal experience, a technical school is what helped me. I went to school to be a aircraft mechanic and, started taking some classes to get a degree along with it. I had a car accident and, wasn't able to finish the degree but, later I was able to finish the technical school and, get my A & P license (Airframe & powerplant).

Following a lead from the school I went to, I was able to get hired by the government, working on Airforce planes. I was then able to get hired at my current job with that experience.

I don't know if they do job placement after college but, that's one of the things I liked about the technical school I went to. They really went out their way to send me job openings that I might be interested in. Some were good and some were just ok but, at least I had the opportunity to meet with potential employers.

I later went to a private I.T. school and, while it was a good school; finding a job in that industry seems much harder. The job listings ask for unbelievable qualifications and experience. it wasn't that big of a deal for me because, I already had a decent job and, mainly wanted to start my own business.

I learned a great deal at the tech school but, I had to learn a lot on my own. I bought some cheap compter parts, built a few computers, networked them together and, taught myself. I installed Windows server, Unix, Linux and other versions of windows desktop operating systems. I also learned Cisco in school and, had my CCNA certification but, it has since expired. The cool thing about the tech school is they taught us networking and system administration on a enterprise level.

The thing I don't like about the I.T. industry is, it's kind of cutthroat. No one is willing to help you and, you basically have to help yourself. Networking with people does help and, also volunteering your services. I sometime get calls from students, who just graduated college or finished a tech school. I always have to turn them down because, I'm just a one-man operation and, don't make enough to hire anyone.

 

[Mikey]

when world news came out with the august 2011 report on unemployment they also did a segment on manufacturing jobs, IT jobs etc...all of the jobs that they are reporting in abundance right now come with the requirement of technical schooling...i am actually trying to steer my son in the direction of a technical school vs. college or university...i feel that if he can gain technical skill in a couple of areas...get his first two years in at a community college then complete his education at the university level this would be the best strategic move for us as a family...

Nah, don't take that route Lippy, some folks on here made fun of me because I chose that route. It might happen to your son in real life!

 

[APPIAH]

I think whether one goes to college or technical school is dependent on the intended career you want so it cannot be an either or issue here(will somebody tell this kid he was being ridiculed because he was waving it annoyingly in front of everyone)

 

[Evie]

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?

I would say, depending on your field, technical school and college both have advantages. I did a TAFE (Technical and Further Education) diploma, where I learned everything I needed to know to be a freelance writer. But then I realised, in terms of promotion and career advancement, a degree looks better on the CV! So, I just graduated with a degree, and will be doing Honours next year, which looks even better on the CV, and from there, I'll be applying for media-related jobs. I'm also going to ask some of my Journalism lecturers to write brief letters of recommendation, which will also look good on the CV. So, overall, for me, technical school gave me the skills to work, and the degrees are more about promotion/career advancement!

 

[LA]

So, overall, for me, technical school gave me the skills to work, and the degrees are more about promotion/career advancement!

Awesome. I feel the same way.

Also, depending on the school you attend, you can get tech school experience and learning as well as the degree.

 

[pettyofficerj]

I would say, depending on your field, technical school and college both have advantages. I did a TAFE (Technical and Further Education) diploma, where I learned everything I needed to know to be a freelance writer. But then I realised, in terms of promotion and career advancement, a degree looks better on the CV! So, I just graduated with a degree, and will be doing Honours next year, which looks even better on the CV, and from there, I'll be applying for media-related jobs. I'm also going to ask some of my Journalism lecturers to write brief letters of recommendation, which will also look good on the CV. So, overall, for me, technical school gave me the skills to work, and the degrees are more about promotion/career advancement!

that's how it is in many cases

without a degree, you really limit yourself in big, reputable companies. Where I work, it's very common for upper-echelon leadership to have masters, PhDs, or MDs. They don't play that no-degree bullshit, unless you manage a department with lower education requirements

 

[LA]

that's how it is in many cases

without a degree, you really limit yourself in big, reputable companies. Where I work, it's very common for upper-echelon leadership to have masters, PhDs, or MDs. They don't play that no-degree bullshit, unless you manage a department with lower education requirements

Bingo.

 

[ArmyRanger]

that's how it is in many cases

without a degree, you really limit yourself in big, reputable companies. Where I work, it's very common for upper-echelon leadership to have masters, PhDs, or MDs. They don't play that no-degree bullshit, unless you manage a department with lower education requirements

Yes, this is true with MOST companies :smt045

 

[archangel]

that's how it is in many cases

without a degree, you really limit yourself in big, reputable companies. Where I work, it's very common for upper-echelon leadership to have masters, PhDs, or MDs. They don't play that no-degree bullshit, unless you manage a department with lower education requirements

Exactly what I pointed out. that degree is a big hurdle that you can't get around in this present day. back then ok(80's) but now.... good luck

 

[Evie]

Awesome. I feel the same way.

Also, depending on the school you attend, you can get tech school experience and learning as well as the degree.

Yeah, and you can also do work experience/internships as part of your course, as well. I did work experience and internships as part of the diploma and degree courses, so that looks good on the CV, too! I suppose it's all about having a good-looking CV!