How important is college? I'm a senior this year, and am debating on whether or not I need to go to college. I know a fair amount about the field and am also very good at learning from books, but how important are those little letters behind my name? 
I'm just looking for opinions from people who are already established in the field, so let me know. 
Its either college or a ton of experience and a good break (and/or people you know). Your mileage may vary.
I'm a guy that's still going to school but surviving ok without the degree. I would HIGHLY recommend getting the degree. How you go about doing it is up to you. The only thing that has helped me out is I've been in the IS/IT world since about '93. The degree still has meaning, but not as much as it would have if I had it back in '97 (assuming I graduated in 4 years).
In today's economy, there's tons of out of work IS/IT folks. How will you're resume be different then there's? By not having a degree, its very possible it'll be tossed in the trash because it didn't even meet the basic degree requirements (I've heard this happened on the west coast at one point: they had so many folks applying that the company pitched all the resumes who had anything less than a Phd).
But you have to do what makes you happy... Check the want ads in your area and see what they're requiring for the jobs you want. That would be the best way to do it.
I really think a degree does make a difference.
Well, just put yourself on a company's director position who wants to hire a programmer. Over 100 of applications letter on your desk, do you actually have time to look at em one by one and interview all of em?? Nope, rite?
So, you'll filter em by your requirements... "Joe, Bsc" is so much convincing rather than "Joe."
Well, go for it. College isnt a bad place.
And are you sure you want to stay on this lark for the rest of your natural?
Originally posted by scoppc
I really think a degree does make a difference.
Well, just put yourself on a company's director position who wants to hire a programmer. Over 100 of applications letter on your desk, do you actually have time to look at em one by one and interview all of em?? Nope, rite?
So, you'll filter em by your requirements... "Joe, Bsc" is so much convincing rather than "Joe."
Well, go for it. College isnt a bad place.
Yes, that's a very good point. Basically, in order to get a good job without a degree, you probably just have to get a lucky break and be at the right place at the right time. I'm not sure I want to hope for that...
Weedpacket, do you mean lark as in field and natural as in life? :p If so, I can never guarentee anything, but I love programming and I'm good at it, so it makes sense...
Originally posted by Weedpacket
And are you sure you want to stay on this lark for the rest of your natural?
to be a "lark" or not, going to College and earning a degree (while keep adding yourself with more skills) was real fun for me (no offense, guys... hehe).
Have used two years for this "lark" and I never regret that I took this path. 
Originally posted by AdamBrill
Weedpacket, do you mean lark as in field and natural as in life? :p If so, I can never guarentee anything, but I love programming and I'm good at it, so it makes sense...
I'm pretty sure you're reading him well.
And, his answer reads a bit like the one oft given by professionals when a youngster announces such aspirations.
I taught music for 11 years; my degree is, then "Geek of Music". Whenever a student came by and said "I want to go to college and be a music major," my first response was generally either "Are you crazy?" or "Honey, sit down and let me tell ya somthing...." That said, I have quite a few ex-students with their degrees who have good jobs.
A Bachelor's degree is often a key to higher wages and better jobs. The point about resume seperation criteria is a good one.
After undergrad, it's a tad more nebulous. I've met some very good "profs" at different schools who wouldn't go for PhD because they were "good enough", and quite rightly so...OTOH, the greatest minds have often tended to go the way of the highest degree.
Speaking as someone who is about 3/4 way through a degree, I would definately suggest goin, both from the educational point of view and also because you will meet some great people. I have made some friends who will stay with me forever.
I dunno if they do it "over there", but "over here" (UK) not many unis do an industrial year (what I is on atm). If you can find one that does, I thoroughly recommend goin for it!
Yes, getting a college degree is not so much an asset but not getting one is definitely a detriment. IMHO you must get a college degree to be on an equal playing field with everyone else. And if you don't have one, then you're already 12 steps behind. My advice: get a degree, AND the experience, and then you're really putting yourself ahead.
Originally posted by Elizabeth
Yes, getting a college degree is not so much an asset but not getting one is definitely a detriment.
Yes, unfortunately I believe that is true. I'm sure I won't ever regret getting it once I have it, but it's just looking at it now not knowing if I need it... You get the picture.
Well, it looks like it's unanimous that a degree is fairly important. I'm currently planning on taking a year off and seeing what I can find, then I'll probably go to college when I don't find anything. Oh well, such is life. College would probably be good for me anyway.
Another thing about college (and I have to admit I'm mentally translating this to cover "tertiary education institute" in general), and it is (in my mild opinion) a fairly important one, is the cultural aspect - the sciences in particular (geeks rule). My main experience is University, but I've also had the acquaintance of a couple of technical institutes and it seemed much the same there. I think the phrase I'd sum it up with would be "inherently subversive" - on so many levels.
Just out of question, what's the different between the US college and the UK university? We have colleges over here. and they tend to be places where people around the ages of 17-18 go to do their A levels (pre-uni exams)
Hmm, no expert, but here's a very generalized overview.
Junior college --- 2 year program, Associate of Arts or Associate of Sciences degree.
College --- 4 year program, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Sciences, Bachelor of ... widely varied, the school is usually smaller and usually doesn't offer much in the way of "advanced" degrees (ie, after bachelors). Subdivisions of the college are "schools", (School of Mathematics and Sciences, the School of Education, the School of Philosophy and Social Sciences, the School of Religion, the School of Fine Arts, etc.) [usually named after a big donor, heh] and the percentage of profs having doctorates is probably 50% or less. Less emphasis on pure research and more on creating educated personages as graduates...
Note that I said very generalized
University --- also a 4 year program, Bachelor's degrees as above, larger in terms of population and facilities, generally, subdivisions are called "Colleges", higher percentage of profs with doctorate and post-doctoral work, more emphasis on research, etc. Advanced degrees (Masters and Doctorate) offered in many subjects.
The "University" I attended was a "College" until the late 1970's. When I got there it was still small, and still offered no graduate work. By the time I left they were offering two types of Masters' degrees.
I guess the real point is that over here, it's often a matter of "perception factor" ...
depends what u want to do.
For me its a waste of money. Teachers read out of a book didnt know what they were teaching.. only went one semister. College sucks
I work as a network admin/web admin/ systems admin/ and soon linux admin
make 80k + no certs or anything. All experiance.. oh and im only 22
Digital, I think you should consider yourself very lucky- and the exception, certainly not the rule. Actually, I liked college- a great experience that taught you to live with people you didn't know, figure out where to go on an unfamiliar campus, deal with collegiate red tape and cram for exams. It's not just about the books, it's about being a rounder person.
(And considering I gained the "freshman 15" I was much rounder.)
No seriously, college is an "experience" not just a "school". You meet people you will never forget and experience things you just can't in the "real world". I graduated early, and I wish I would have stayed there
Originally posted by DigitalExpl0it
depends what u want to do.
For me its a waste of money. Teachers read out of a book didnt know what they were teaching.. only went one semister. College sucks
I work as a network admin/web admin/ systems admin/ and soon linux admin
make 80k + no certs or anything. All experiance.. oh and im only 22
Looks like English was not your forte, then.
I think college sucks too. I hated school.
However, I have earned the right to say that both by getting good marks and also having completed college.
School sucks, but all the additional things I learned (most of which are not really expressable) were golden. Everybody who has gone to college knows what I mean by that statement.
Take time off (I took 5 years off), get a job (my jobs during that time have lead to where I am today), but when you are finished (whether you are 23 or 40 or whatever) you will be very happy that you did it.
Good luck...v
On my part I am applying to NUS school of computing, should be getting a reply by June.
I think another good part here would be networking, as in human networking among fellow students.
Later in life these people could well provide invaluable help, especially in Singapore where the population size is relatively small.
laserlight Did you get accepted into NUS?
Thread revived by a couple spammers after 16 years -- a new record?
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