Experience and/or Higher Education

[penfold]

Yes, experience is important. But so is the goal of bettering one's self.

 

But this can be done in more ways than getting a degree. Learning new skills helps too, taking on new/more responsibility all shows your intrested in bettering yourself.

 

For me personally I would never do a course so I could have letters after my name. I'm only interested in doing something I was interested in or could benefit me in the job I'm doing(or interested in doing)

[IanT]

experience! experience! experience! imo

[jtotheb]

I'm just over half way through my degree with the OU Cisco CCNA is part of my Open Degree very much looking forward to finishing it and having the paperwork. I'm weird and just love the challenge of learning new things!

 

All the best with it. I finished T216 in October and took the CCNA just before the OU's written paper.

[ben_snclc]

Although a degree is not the be all and end all, it shows a certain level of competency and is advantageous when applying for jobs. I spent 12 years part time doing a BTEC ONC, BTEC HNC, BSc and MSc as well as Microsoft qualifications. It definately opens doors and allows you to negotiate higher wages.

 

I agree with this. I started off as a trainee on £60 per week. Then over ten year period constant training from NVQ2, HNC, HND, Degree, CCNA blah blah blah but i'd put anyone with hand's on experience over a qualification. If you have both it opens up lots of opportunities. I'm still doing training now but might consider doing a teaching qualification next.

[torledo]

There's more to a degree than just learning something.

 

It shows dedication to go through at least three years of study.

 

Not to mention the pride of having letters after your name.

 

For years I plodded from job to job, never really progressing up the career or salary ladder, until I took a part time degree.

 

As soon as I graduated I found that I was instantly getting to interview or the second interview stage of higher paid jobs which required a degree.

 

Yes, experience is important. But so is the goal of bettering one's self.

 

i'm not sure in how many cases plodding along has to do with degree qualifications or lack thereof.

 

I've applied for a handful of well paid jobs at FE and HE level where their was a stipulation for a good degree in the person specs.

 

For me a lot of it is a way to whittle down applicants...maybe it's habit to use the degree qual as a yardstick, in the end it may matter in more situations that it doesn't, in securing that good job, but i don't believe it's a prerequisite to progress up the greasy pole.

 

the biggest problem is people stay too long in places where there's a glass ceiling or minimal salary progression. the other problem is there's a lot of competition out there as far as skills, experience and certs. Actual project experience is invaluable.

Edited January 25, 2010 by torledo

[robinhood007]

where is the job ad please ??!!

 

Regards

[synaesthesia]

robinhood : welcome along but this isn't a thread regarding a particular position, just an employment based discussion.

 

Plenty of positions advertised in the Education IT Jobs forum itself