I’m trying to decide whether it would be worth spending an additional 2 years upgrading my associates to a bachelor’s in CS or not.
I don’t see much of a demand for the RHCSA in my area (Toronto, Canada) but I see that basically every job posting has a degree requirement.
I’d be 25 by the time I finish school with the degree but I honestly just want to start applying for jobs I don’t want to waste time.
I have the A+, CCNA and LFCS. I get my associates next week.
I’m aware that I’ll probably get a bunch of responses of people saying “I don’t have a degree or certifications!” but I’m genuinely confused as to how you’re in IT without either of those things unless you knew someone or got in very early so some elaboration would be nice.
No certifications, no degrees, just good, old fashioned 15 years of experience.
None, anymore.
Eventually you end up with a resume/knowledge that sells itself.
I’m not talking about government jobs that require certain certs, though.
The only certification I have is from the Kansas City Barbeque Society, allowing me to act as a judge in BBQ competitions.
Things are probably different nowadays, but at least 15-25 years ago you could just apply for IT jobs and if someone lied about their skills it would hopefully show during the technical interviews. I don’t know if that counts as getting in very early.
No certs and degree isn’t in CS. I just have lots of experience.
My pathway was basically:
- Got a low tier job as a glorified intern (paid)
- Switched jobs a few times, pay increasing each time. Chose interesting jobs.
- Left a low paying gov job for contract work. Got hired full time by one of my contractors.
- Have stayed at that job. Golden handcuffs.
“Choose interesting jobs”
THIS! A MILLION TIMES THIS!
The absolute best career choices I’ve made, in hindsight, were always from the interest in the work or quality of whom I was working with.
Took jobs for less pay, even turning down much higher offers, to choose the gig that was in the area I wanted to expand in.
Never accept just based on “it’s a few bucks more”. Unless it’s twice the pay AND you have something else to gain from the role, always grab the better experience or less stressful spot.
everyones just like, “10 years of experience”…nobody is hiring people without experience so people without experience cant get experience…i dont get it…
