Price of our hobby - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

28 Jun 2000

From: r. 'bear' stricklin &lt;red(a)bears.org&gt;

...
 I have to add my two cents to this. Yes, some companies
will demand
degrees and expect to see a candidate with 100% conventional
background. In the tech sector, at least, these companies don't seem to be
...
 in the norm and where they do exist, are the LEAST
interesting companies
to work for. 

Over an extended period I encounterd a lot of old guard companies that
fit
that mold or worse have sterotypes on the brain.

...
 Today I am 23 years old and have hit the top of my
profession (UNIX
systems administration). In terms of technical knowledge, I outrank nearly

It will make difference when your 47 and looking.

...
 Not once has my lack of a degree affected my ability to
find a job. In
fact, I am very up-front about my short-lived and extremely unglamourous
engagement at uni. 

With 30 years behind me and 6 major companies I can say at one time
It didn't either for me.  Then as athey say, I got old.

...
 Yes, I am tooting my own horn here (quite loudly) but
if I don't toot it,
...
 I'm afraid the fact that a successful career can be
built on things other
...
 than advanced degrees may slip by unnoticed. 

Much truth to that, but some day it will come to you or someone with
same expereince and he'll have the degree...

...
 Will I go back to school? Yes. Will it be to get a
technical degree?
Probably not. Divinity or theology are looking like likely candidates. 

Same here.  I've visited from time to time for various courses but if I
go
for the degree electronics or computer will not be the focus either.

Allison