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Is it possible to get a good computer job without a degree?

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  • Computers
  • Business Computing
Last response: in Business Computing
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Anonymous
July 30, 2013 5:28:11 PM

Hello my names Mike. Currently I'm in school and I just landed an IT intern, its a 6 month term. My question is this, If I don't finish school and just get certs will I still get a decent job making 60-65K a year. I'm trying school but I just really suck at college. My whole life I was in resource class's and just never good in school. If I get certs like A+, NET+, and maybe 1 or 2 more will I land a decent job?

More about : good computer job degree

July 30, 2013 5:34:02 PM

Yes, eventually you will, but the best employees actually know the job. Stay in school. cheers
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July 30, 2013 5:39:14 PM

It depends on the requirements of the jobs.

If you're good at hands on stuff, and still know the technical what-not behind it; then (mostly thanks to inflation) you will eventually earn over $60,000 a year.

Bear in mind that by the time you do it will feel a lot more like $45K (or less).

Instead of specialising in one area aim to get multiple moderate qualifications (not industry certificates, some are not worth the paper they are printed on; at least not compared to 6 months of actual industry experience).

This way you're a more versed IT skilled person with a more pragmatic 'hands on' approach.


The IT industry may have a slight shortage of such people in 10 to 15 years time; although the IT industry as a whole is expected to shrink slightly in the USA. (Some will say that it will grow, but their profits rely on them telling people this).

Ensure you get your information from non-biased sources, generally these do not include places selling industry certs.
- By all means get one or two, but to get anything worthwhile you'll need to spend about $30,000.

An actual qualification is far more valuable than a certificate in the long term.
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July 30, 2013 5:59:05 PM

You won't make $60k with just certs and no experience. Certs are worthless. People don't get hired because they can read a book and pass a very easy test. People get hired with a degree and work experience. Your internship is good. Keep doing those!

Stay in school, even if you hate it. You will end up making A LOT more money in the long run. :) 
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July 30, 2013 6:01:54 PM

Tabris DarkPeace said:
It depends on the requirements of the jobs.

If you're good at hands on stuff, and still know the technical what-not behind it; then (mostly thanks to inflation) you will eventually earn over $60,000 a year.

Bear in mind that by the time you do it will feel a lot more like $45K (or less).

Instead of specialising in one area aim to get multiple moderate qualifications (not industry certificates, some are not worth the paper they are printed on; at least not compared to 6 months of actual industry experience).

This way you're a more versed IT skilled person with a more pragmatic 'hands on' approach.


The IT industry may have a slight shortage of such people in 10 to 15 years time; although the IT industry as a whole is expected to shrink slightly in the USA. (Some will say that it will grow, but their profits rely on them telling people this).

Ensure you get your information from non-biased sources, generally these do not include places selling industry certs.
- By all means get one or two, but to get anything worthwhile you'll need to spend about $30,000.

An actual qualification is far more valuable than a certificate in the long term.


This bears repeating:

"An actual qualification is far more valuable than a certificate in the long term."



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July 30, 2013 6:20:29 PM

Anonymous said:
Hello my names Mike. Currently I'm in school and I just landed an IT intern, its a 6 month term. My question is this, If I don't finish school and just get certs will I still get a decent job making 60-65K a year. I'm trying school but I just really suck at college. My whole life I was in resource class's and just never good in school. If I get certs like A+, NET+, and maybe 1 or 2 more will I land a decent job?


Read a book or two about SQL Server. There are jobs for people who can install/configure/maintain it, for DBAs, and for programmers. Every company uses databases (e.g. to remember what they sold, to whom, what they bought, who their employees are, etc). From what I've read, it's the most important IT skill these days.

Try to improve your grammar too. If you don't, the HR people will stop reading your resume before they get to your certifications :( 

Do you really need a college diploma... People with diplomas do get higher salaries, and they usually spend less time looking for jobs too. On the other hand, they do end up with large student loans. You should get advice on this one from people who know you and your circumstances better.

Good luck!!!
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Best solution

July 31, 2013 1:12:16 PM

Anonymous said:
Hello my names Mike. Currently I'm in school and I just landed an IT intern, its a 6 month term. My question is this, If I don't finish school and just get certs will I still get a decent job making 60-65K a year. I'm trying school but I just really suck at college. My whole life I was in resource class's and just never good in school. If I get certs like A+, NET+, and maybe 1 or 2 more will I land a decent job?


There are few people that I know of that make the big $$$ without a college degree, very few! I know of one person that makes $180k+ that has nothing more than a high school diploma but has worked on computers since he was 5 years old. He is the uber geek and works in the company of others that possess multiple masters degrees or PHD's. When the company of 150 laid off 125+ employees he was one to keep...He is an extremely gifted programmer working for a NASA contractor. There are always going to be a few that make it, the outliers, but stay in school, get an education.

My father was from Cuba, was incredibly wealthy and graduated from Belenz in Havana at 14 years old. He moved to the US to continue his education, later graduating from the University of Miami in Electrical Engineering and getting married. My grandfather asked my dad if it was OK for him(my grandfather) to buy my dad an Art Deco Hotel in Miami Beach to run. Dad said no thinking the money would never stop coming in from his father. He loved electrial engineering and got a job in it. By 1959 Fidel Castro took everything his father owned, everything!!!

My father told me there is one thing Castro can never take, his degree.
Stick with it, stay in school, tough it out........and get something that nobody will ever be able to take away from you, YOUR DEGREE!
Once you have your degree you can use that along with your work experience to work in ANY place that needs you and not have to rely so much on who you know.

Stay the heck in school!!!
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