jerseyIT92 :
Hello everyone. I'm currently in a tech school for Computer Networking and Security. I was thinking about going to an online college like University of Phoenix after I graduate this school. Truthfully, I just don't think I'll be able to afford it. So my question is, can I have a successful career in IT with a tech school degree and a couple certs? I hear a lot of it is based on experience. If you have experience, it doesn't matter. Is this true?
IT is mostly experience and common sense, there's very little academics involved. I know many individuals in the IT sector who do not have degrees. Some have completed a two or three year community college diploma program, some have been hired into the industry straight out of co-op placements without finishing school, while others have no formal post secondary education at all.
In the long run, certifications such as those offered by CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, RedHat, and Novell are much more valuable than a diploma or degree for most IT positions. In fact, I would argue that the examinations for these certifications are much longer and more difficult than most college or university examinations.
Now, keep in mind that a lack of formal post secondary education will place a glass ceiling on your career. Eventually you will have to compete with individuals that do have degrees, but that's only if you choose to pursue certain career options.