Importance of a college degree to job opportunities and salary?

[R. Freywith]

I do not have a college degree; I dropped out after a couple years. I
just didn't have it together back then (about 14 years ago).

Since then, I've found my way into a systems analyst position with a
department in that same university. I've been doing this officially for
about five years, and unofficially for several years prior to that.

My question is - how does my lack of a degree affect job opportunities and
salary? What would someone with my responsibilities - but without a
degree - typically make (I'm in the Northeast)?

I install, maintain and administer Netware and NT servers, manage a
BackOffice installation, and perform all-around server, PC and software
support. I work with one other person, who handles most of the direct
contact with our users. I handle the technical stuff. We have four
servers, about a hundred workstations, and about 150 users.

I'm developing several applications using IIS/VB/MTS/SQL Server,
modeling parts of them in UML where it helps me.

I've done several successful programming jobs on the side with outside
organizations, usually Access and VB database applications.

I wouldn't rate myself a top-notch IT professional, but I have a pretty good
skill set and I get the job done. I feel I may be outgrowing my position
here, and have given some thought to seeking a programming position
elsewhere - but I'm hesitant to take that leap, given my lack of
credentials.

Thanks for your opinions.

[Rajaram]

Hi!
I too agree with your words, and more often
it is true that Experience always One Step Ahead

Think about BillGates...not a very good scholar...of a degree
it seems..

be withyour position and get a turnaround face in your environment, is the
way you handle people

Hope this will give you some Angles
regs
rajaram
jaihind
INDIA



"R. Freywith" <no@incom.ing> wrote:
>
>I do not have a college degree; I dropped out after a couple years. I
>just didn't have it together back then (about 14 years ago).
>
>Since then, I've found my way into a systems analyst position with a
>department in that same university. I've been doing this officially for
>about five years, and unofficially for several years prior to that.
>
>My question is - how does my lack of a degree affect job opportunities and
>salary? What would someone with my responsibilities - but without a
>degree - typically make (I'm in the Northeast)?
>
>I install, maintain and administer Netware and NT servers, manage a
>BackOffice installation, and perform all-around server, PC and software
>support. I work with one other person, who handles most of the direct
>contact with our users. I handle the technical stuff. We have four
>servers, about a hundred workstations, and about 150 users.
>
>I'm developing several applications using IIS/VB/MTS/SQL Server,
>modeling parts of them in UML where it helps me.
>
>I've done several successful programming jobs on the side with outside
>organizations, usually Access and VB database applications.
>
>I wouldn't rate myself a top-notch IT professional, but I have a pretty
good
>skill set and I get the job done. I feel I may be outgrowing my position
>here, and have given some thought to seeking a programming position
>elsewhere - but I'm hesitant to take that leap, given my lack of
>credentials.
>
>Thanks for your opinions.
>
>
>
>

[Tom Oguara]

Hey, Freywith,

Ride on. You are on the right track. Just move on. You don't need a degree
to hit the top of your career. Go for the new job, you will get it. You are
not inferior to those of us with degree, no you are not. Most of us are not
that good. You have an impressive credential. Please go on.

Wishing you all the best -

Tom
PhD Student


"R. Freywith" <no@incom.ing> wrote:
>
>I do not have a college degree; I dropped out after a couple years. I
>just didn't have it together back then (about 14 years ago).
>
>Since then, I've found my way into a systems analyst position with a
>department in that same university. I've been doing this officially for
>about five years, and unofficially for several years prior to that.
>
>My question is - how does my lack of a degree affect job opportunities and
>salary? What would someone with my responsibilities - but without a
>degree - typically make (I'm in the Northeast)?
>
>I install, maintain and administer Netware and NT servers, manage a
>BackOffice installation, and perform all-around server, PC and software
>support. I work with one other person, who handles most of the direct
>contact with our users. I handle the technical stuff. We have four
>servers, about a hundred workstations, and about 150 users.
>
>I'm developing several applications using IIS/VB/MTS/SQL Server,
>modeling parts of them in UML where it helps me.
>
>I've done several successful programming jobs on the side with outside
>organizations, usually Access and VB database applications.
>
>I wouldn't rate myself a top-notch IT professional, but I have a pretty
good
>skill set and I get the job done. I feel I may be outgrowing my position
>here, and have given some thought to seeking a programming position
>elsewhere - but I'm hesitant to take that leap, given my lack of
>credentials.
>
>Thanks for your opinions.
>
>
>
>