Need some Advice (long)
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David Chamberlain wrote: The only problem I see is if the bottom falls out and you end up on the street. The good part is I do not see this happening for a very long time, if ever. The guy I'm working with has been in the business for a long time and the worst we ever have is the occasional slow, and slow for us is still profitable :) David Chamberlain wrote: They can come back and get a degree later. And so can you. I don't see that a 4 year degree is really an asset to you right now. Exactly my view right now.
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
Steve McLenithan wrote: The good part is I do not see this happening for a very long time, if ever. The guy I'm working with has been in the business for a long time ... Ahhhhh, youth. What a wonderful thing. Beyond the bottom falling out, you may also want to consider expecting the unexpected. What happens if this guy has a heart attack? Where does that leave you? What if a better opportunity shows itself where you need a degree? Are you willing to forego that just to hold onto what you have now? My rule of thumb is to try to keep open as many options as you can. If you drop out of school now, that may be alright for a while, but if you have to go back, can you easily pick up where you left off? If you back off from school, and cut your class load down to a minimal level (I don't know how much a load 14 hours is), then you continue to work toward a degree, as well as being able to say "I am working toward a degree." That eases the time crunch and provides you with a degree when you're done. What happens when you meet a wonderful person with whom you want to build a family? Are you going to have (make) time for that, while working and going to school? Will you be in a position in a few years where you can go to school full time without needing to work? What if your parents get sick? While these are all purely hypothetical events, any of them are possible. You can read countless postings in the lounge that describe exactly these unexpected situations. Your decision should be based on the best way to prepare yourself for any of them happening. Manipulate your world to keep open all the options that you can. Good luck, Dave "You can say that again." -- Dept. of Redundancy Dept.
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Would you recomend instead going to a small college instead of the full blown local university.
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
Steve McLenithan wrote: Would you recomend instead going to a small college instead of the full blown local university. tough call... in my case I don't need the degree to do my job, it hasn't surved any purpose. I might actually learn the Microsoft side of programming; but I don't do any systems specific coding, and portible graphics techniques with an emphasis on real-time 3D is done in only a handful of colleges nationwide. I am not going to move to a big city and give up my job for a degree, especially this late in life. But the paper comes in handy to show you can put with red-tape and annoying rules. Especially in any career choice that involves lots of red-tape and annoying rules.... :laugh: _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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Bob Flynn wrote: If you are single right now, I am Bob Flynn wrote: If you allready have children Heck no Bob Flynn wrote: Bottom line: Keep working on the job that you are enjoying, while making it clear to your employer that your degree is important to you and he will have to accomodate you by being reasonably flexible. (right now you can be a little demanding because you are financially able to walk away from the job) Here is the interesting part. I probably should have mentioned that I own 1/3 of the company. So walking away basically means throwing away a (in my view) life long career that is already set and waiting for me. Thanks for the input.
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
Steve McLenithan wrote: If you are single right now, I am okay, here's my first real advice.... ;) stay that way. :laugh: _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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Steve McLenithan wrote: The good part is I do not see this happening for a very long time, if ever. The guy I'm working with has been in the business for a long time ... Ahhhhh, youth. What a wonderful thing. Beyond the bottom falling out, you may also want to consider expecting the unexpected. What happens if this guy has a heart attack? Where does that leave you? What if a better opportunity shows itself where you need a degree? Are you willing to forego that just to hold onto what you have now? My rule of thumb is to try to keep open as many options as you can. If you drop out of school now, that may be alright for a while, but if you have to go back, can you easily pick up where you left off? If you back off from school, and cut your class load down to a minimal level (I don't know how much a load 14 hours is), then you continue to work toward a degree, as well as being able to say "I am working toward a degree." That eases the time crunch and provides you with a degree when you're done. What happens when you meet a wonderful person with whom you want to build a family? Are you going to have (make) time for that, while working and going to school? Will you be in a position in a few years where you can go to school full time without needing to work? What if your parents get sick? While these are all purely hypothetical events, any of them are possible. You can read countless postings in the lounge that describe exactly these unexpected situations. Your decision should be based on the best way to prepare yourself for any of them happening. Manipulate your world to keep open all the options that you can. Good luck, Dave "You can say that again." -- Dept. of Redundancy Dept.
I think I may have worded my reply incorrectly the first time. I should have said that this job does NOT depend on this guy being here. I will be fully licensed myself within a year give or take a months time. I have a large number of contacts in the industry so if I run into trouble with my current mentor suddenly out of the picture it is not as big a deal job wise for me. And it is only a year so I could still return to school at that time...
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
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Steve McLenithan wrote: If you are single right now, I am okay, here's my first real advice.... ;) stay that way. :laugh: _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
In all seriousness everything I have experience so far is so convincing me to stay that way.
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
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Let me share my story with you first... I am currently a freshment at Grand Valley State Univeristy in Michigan. For the fall semester I am curently taking 14 credits. Classes are "easy" however here is my problem. For the past 3 years I have been working with a Real Property Appraiser (residential & commercial). Initially I started out just fixing the computers, keeping the internet/LAN up and running etc. Starting 2 years ago I started to get really involved in the actual business. I have taken all the classes required by the State of Michigan to get my limited appraiser's license. I am now a major part of his entire operation and am making very good money. Over the next year or so I will be able to double or triple my earnings now that we have a full blown office (opening tomorrow). Along with my regular duties I am also running the website/intranet and ecommerce side of the business. This is a lot of work but it pays really well, has lots of perks, and I really love the work. All the above takes up 90% of my time. I am at my classes for a very short time (3 days a week this semester, was lucky during scheduling). The problem is I have very little time to do all the damn HW/Essays/Etc. Needless to say my grades aren't straight As like in HS. So it all comes down to one questions really... Should I take off a year or two from traditional schooling (will still take any classes required by the state for my appraiser's license, but those a very few in number and very short). to work and save up money so I could then focus entirely on schooling?, OR try and do both at the same time, OR do you have some other opinion on what I whould do? Perhaps pursue some other type of schooling? Everyone seems to want me to get a 4 year degree, but I am not 100% sure that is what I want to do... Thanks guys and please let me know if you have any questions:cool:
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
Have you discussed this with your boss or co-workers? If they are especially happy with your work, they may be inclined to limit your work hours so that you can finish your degree. Returning to school when you are in the middle of a career and possibly bringing up a family as well, is difficult. But many people do it successfully. It's all about managing your time to satisfy everybody that competes for it. From the sounds of things you've described, I'd be surprised if your boss wasn't supportive of your efforts to achieve your education goals. Good Luck :) Chris Meech I am Canadian. [heard in a local bar] ..a scientist venturing into the fields of philosophy and metaphysics is like Tie Domi figure skating. It's not a pretty sight. [Toronto Star Article]
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Have you discussed this with your boss or co-workers? If they are especially happy with your work, they may be inclined to limit your work hours so that you can finish your degree. Returning to school when you are in the middle of a career and possibly bringing up a family as well, is difficult. But many people do it successfully. It's all about managing your time to satisfy everybody that competes for it. From the sounds of things you've described, I'd be surprised if your boss wasn't supportive of your efforts to achieve your education goals. Good Luck :) Chris Meech I am Canadian. [heard in a local bar] ..a scientist venturing into the fields of philosophy and metaphysics is like Tie Domi figure skating. It's not a pretty sight. [Toronto Star Article]
Chris Meech wrote: If they are especially happy with your work, they may be inclined to limit your work hours so that you can finish your degree. The problem is that I AM the work. If I am not there I cannot make money. If I cannot do the work in a very short period of time the clients are not very happy. In this business speed is everything. Taking all theses classes which in my opinion are pure bullshit is extremely stressing me out.
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
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In all seriousness everything I have experience so far is so convincing me to stay that way.
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
Steve McLenithan wrote: In all seriousness everything I have experience so far is so convincing me to stay that way. two divorces would convince you even better... but I am hoping you are smarter than me. ;) _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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Let me share my story with you first... I am currently a freshment at Grand Valley State Univeristy in Michigan. For the fall semester I am curently taking 14 credits. Classes are "easy" however here is my problem. For the past 3 years I have been working with a Real Property Appraiser (residential & commercial). Initially I started out just fixing the computers, keeping the internet/LAN up and running etc. Starting 2 years ago I started to get really involved in the actual business. I have taken all the classes required by the State of Michigan to get my limited appraiser's license. I am now a major part of his entire operation and am making very good money. Over the next year or so I will be able to double or triple my earnings now that we have a full blown office (opening tomorrow). Along with my regular duties I am also running the website/intranet and ecommerce side of the business. This is a lot of work but it pays really well, has lots of perks, and I really love the work. All the above takes up 90% of my time. I am at my classes for a very short time (3 days a week this semester, was lucky during scheduling). The problem is I have very little time to do all the damn HW/Essays/Etc. Needless to say my grades aren't straight As like in HS. So it all comes down to one questions really... Should I take off a year or two from traditional schooling (will still take any classes required by the state for my appraiser's license, but those a very few in number and very short). to work and save up money so I could then focus entirely on schooling?, OR try and do both at the same time, OR do you have some other opinion on what I whould do? Perhaps pursue some other type of schooling? Everyone seems to want me to get a 4 year degree, but I am not 100% sure that is what I want to do... Thanks guys and please let me know if you have any questions:cool:
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
It seems that most folks' opinion about a college degree is that it is needed to get a job in a certain field. I hear, "If you have a good job, skip the degree as it's not needed." or "I studied xxx at college but got a job in yyy field." The truth is that employers aren't so interested in what you got a degree in as much as they are interested in whether you can and will commit to finishing what you've started. The last study I read indicated that only 5% of people are working in the field in which they have a like degree.
"Opinions are neither right nor wrong. I cannot change your opinion of me. I can, however, change what influences your opinion." - David Crow
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It seems that most folks' opinion about a college degree is that it is needed to get a job in a certain field. I hear, "If you have a good job, skip the degree as it's not needed." or "I studied xxx at college but got a job in yyy field." The truth is that employers aren't so interested in what you got a degree in as much as they are interested in whether you can and will commit to finishing what you've started. The last study I read indicated that only 5% of people are working in the field in which they have a like degree.
"Opinions are neither right nor wrong. I cannot change your opinion of me. I can, however, change what influences your opinion." - David Crow
Exactly. The field that I am most interested in does not require a degree, all required classes are regulated by the state and are offered by an independent organziation that I am a member of.
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
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Marc Clifton wrote: IMO, all a degree does is tell people that you've spent time learning things that are now or will shortly be obsolete. Yes, even fundamental design practices are being obsoleted. But things you learned at work will become obsolete, too. The academic training from formal schools can be important, at least for some (70% ?) people. If he already has a lot of work experiences, then getting a degree will be relatively more important to him. It is much harder to go back to school at later stages of life.[
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Xiangyang Liu wrote: But things you learned at work will become obsolete, too. True. This is the flaw in my thinking, and ends up being the reason that I changed jobs a lot as an employee--to have the opportunity to learn new things when the current job got stale. Marc MyXaml Advanced Unit Testing
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Xiangyang Liu wrote: But things you learned at work will become obsolete, too. True. This is the flaw in my thinking, and ends up being the reason that I changed jobs a lot as an employee--to have the opportunity to learn new things when the current job got stale. Marc MyXaml Advanced Unit Testing
Marc Clifton wrote: True. This is the flaw in my thinking, and ends up being the reason that I changed jobs a lot as an employee--to have the opportunity to learn new things when the current job got stale. That is the advantage of R&D, life is never boring. Of course there are times I think of the ancient Chinese curse: "may you live in interesting times" and understand it fully. :-D _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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Exactly. The field that I am most interested in does not require a degree, all required classes are regulated by the state and are offered by an independent organziation that I am a member of.
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
I have very real experience with this exact problem. I develop software for a living and anyone else in here can tell you that most of the colleges are woefully inadequete for the real world. I started college and at the same time started a full time development job. I decided to drop out of school with the same thoughts as you, that I don't need the degree because it wasn't teaching me anything anyways. Now with 6 years of solid experience plus the time I developed while in High School I was layed off from a very well paying job because the company decided to move to a different state. This proves that management can screw anything up no matter what you may think and that nothing lasts forever. I agree with the other gentlemen when he said the degree proves you are willing to commit to something and finish it. In almost all common fields that is what it's about. Lawyers and Doctors are about the only thing that really teach anything in the course of the studies and they go to school 6+ years full-time. I recently had to return to school to finish my degree because employers where I live want a degree. Most feel more comfortable being able to say all their employees have at least a B.S., others actually need the degree so they can charge customers a specific amount of money. For example, when working with the governemnt, companies can only charge the government based on the degree the developer has. So, a Ph.D. pays more than a Masters, and that pays more than a B.S. This may not ever be the case with you because you are not in the same field, but do not discount this lesson. If I would have just taken 2 or even 1 class for the last 6 years I would have graduated by now. My advice to you is to not drop out and to obtain that degree no matter what, even if you have to take 1 class each semester. If you drop out you will probably feel really good for a while because you don't have to worry about school anymore, but as times passes and you start thinking about what it would be like to have a degree you will realize that you could of had it already if you would have just stayed in. As for the people that quit school to play Pro: Ask one of the Pro players how he feels when he suffers an injury so that he is no longer able to play his sport. He has no education and no other trade skills. Keep in mind most of these people have very poor money management skills because they think it will 'last forever'. So they end up broke with no job and no education. The moral is, prepare to be injured and unable
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I have very real experience with this exact problem. I develop software for a living and anyone else in here can tell you that most of the colleges are woefully inadequete for the real world. I started college and at the same time started a full time development job. I decided to drop out of school with the same thoughts as you, that I don't need the degree because it wasn't teaching me anything anyways. Now with 6 years of solid experience plus the time I developed while in High School I was layed off from a very well paying job because the company decided to move to a different state. This proves that management can screw anything up no matter what you may think and that nothing lasts forever. I agree with the other gentlemen when he said the degree proves you are willing to commit to something and finish it. In almost all common fields that is what it's about. Lawyers and Doctors are about the only thing that really teach anything in the course of the studies and they go to school 6+ years full-time. I recently had to return to school to finish my degree because employers where I live want a degree. Most feel more comfortable being able to say all their employees have at least a B.S., others actually need the degree so they can charge customers a specific amount of money. For example, when working with the governemnt, companies can only charge the government based on the degree the developer has. So, a Ph.D. pays more than a Masters, and that pays more than a B.S. This may not ever be the case with you because you are not in the same field, but do not discount this lesson. If I would have just taken 2 or even 1 class for the last 6 years I would have graduated by now. My advice to you is to not drop out and to obtain that degree no matter what, even if you have to take 1 class each semester. If you drop out you will probably feel really good for a while because you don't have to worry about school anymore, but as times passes and you start thinking about what it would be like to have a degree you will realize that you could of had it already if you would have just stayed in. As for the people that quit school to play Pro: Ask one of the Pro players how he feels when he suffers an injury so that he is no longer able to play his sport. He has no education and no other trade skills. Keep in mind most of these people have very poor money management skills because they think it will 'last forever'. So they end up broke with no job and no education. The moral is, prepare to be injured and unable
afinnell wrote: Never assume that an employers likes you, or will never fire you. It's all about the money to them and sad to say, most businesses don't care about the employees. What if you are the employer/decision maker? If someone isn't doing their job, I'm the one that cans their ass. There are 3 of us, work well together, so this isn't some big ass company. We are basically all self employed but not quite. It might sound complicated, but it's really, really nice.
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
-
Let me share my story with you first... I am currently a freshment at Grand Valley State Univeristy in Michigan. For the fall semester I am curently taking 14 credits. Classes are "easy" however here is my problem. For the past 3 years I have been working with a Real Property Appraiser (residential & commercial). Initially I started out just fixing the computers, keeping the internet/LAN up and running etc. Starting 2 years ago I started to get really involved in the actual business. I have taken all the classes required by the State of Michigan to get my limited appraiser's license. I am now a major part of his entire operation and am making very good money. Over the next year or so I will be able to double or triple my earnings now that we have a full blown office (opening tomorrow). Along with my regular duties I am also running the website/intranet and ecommerce side of the business. This is a lot of work but it pays really well, has lots of perks, and I really love the work. All the above takes up 90% of my time. I am at my classes for a very short time (3 days a week this semester, was lucky during scheduling). The problem is I have very little time to do all the damn HW/Essays/Etc. Needless to say my grades aren't straight As like in HS. So it all comes down to one questions really... Should I take off a year or two from traditional schooling (will still take any classes required by the state for my appraiser's license, but those a very few in number and very short). to work and save up money so I could then focus entirely on schooling?, OR try and do both at the same time, OR do you have some other opinion on what I whould do? Perhaps pursue some other type of schooling? Everyone seems to want me to get a 4 year degree, but I am not 100% sure that is what I want to do... Thanks guys and please let me know if you have any questions:cool:
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
I agree with most of the comments here - it is very hard to go back to school if you stop...one thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that classes provide exposure to areas that you would not normally come across in "industry". I was an EE in college and the degree had some exposure to using computers for solving engineering problems - that is what triggered my changing career direction to CS (the college did not have a CS degree yet, so I did complete the EE program). I took every CS class that was offered (taught in preparation for a formal CS degree program) - I also had classes in accounting, small business admin, technical writing and even Genealogy (family history). I believe the biggest impact that college has is, not so much what you learn, but improving your problem solving skills and learning that you do not have to "think outside the box" if you don't have a box to confine the way you think in the first place. Steve
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afinnell wrote: Never assume that an employers likes you, or will never fire you. It's all about the money to them and sad to say, most businesses don't care about the employees. What if you are the employer/decision maker? If someone isn't doing their job, I'm the one that cans their ass. There are 3 of us, work well together, so this isn't some big ass company. We are basically all self employed but not quite. It might sound complicated, but it's really, really nice.
This demographic will quite happily click on shiny things however:laugh:
Found on Bash.org [erno] hm. I've lost a machine.. literally _lost_. it responds to ping, it works completely, I just can't figure out where in my apartment it is.
"What if you are the employer/decision maker? If someone isn't doing their job, I'm the one that cans their ass. There are 3 of us, work well together, so this isn't some big ass company. We are basically all self employed but not quite. It might sound complicated, but it's really, really nice." Did you put as much equity into the company as the other 2 partners? If not then you are not one of the owners. In that case you can easily be let go. Also if you own a company and had to get outside investment that still doesn't mean you can't be let go. The person that controls the money will always make the final decision. There have been many cases when the founders of companies have been let go once they release control to the board of directors because they had to get outside investment. I understand this isn't the case with you, but like I said don't assume everything will last forever. Just look at all the big named companies going out of business now. Who would have thought? Don't ever let your education fall behind, whether it be school or your own training. At this stage in our country a B.S. will serve you until the end of your lifetime, after that it will be on you to learn as much as you can on your own. Look at the future; 10 years from now would you rather tell your kids (Don't reply and say you dont plan on having kids, I'm making a point here ;-) that you had 13 years of experience and a college degree, or that you just worked for 13 years of your life without finishing college. Set a good example for the other people in this world and yourself. Don't do yourself an injustice by quiting. All this being said I completely understand where you are comming from. I am so far beyond many of my peers in terms of experience and knowledge, yet they have degrees and get more respect. It eats at me all the time. You have to understand that other people are very ignorant when it comes to education and ability. One of the biggest reasons I gave for dropping out was Bill Gates. If you take him for example he dropped out and started what is now the biggest software development firms. Now, try convincing a commoner that he dropped out of school and did what he did.. It's like getting braces. When you are a teenage you hate the idea of getting braces and put up a good fight. However by the time you in your mid 20's you have straight teeth and probably don't remember much about the braces. It's done and over and now you have something to show for it. Another good example from my life. I never got braces
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Xiangyang Liu wrote: But things you learned at work will become obsolete, too. True. This is the flaw in my thinking, and ends up being the reason that I changed jobs a lot as an employee--to have the opportunity to learn new things when the current job got stale. Marc MyXaml Advanced Unit Testing
Marc Clifton wrote: True. This is the flaw in my thinking, and ends up being the reason that I changed jobs a lot as an employee--to have the opportunity to learn new things when the current job got stale. You are an exception, Marc. If I knew I could invent cool things like MyXaml or get an IT job in the strip club, who cares about a degree? :-D[
My articles and software tools
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I have very real experience with this exact problem. I develop software for a living and anyone else in here can tell you that most of the colleges are woefully inadequete for the real world. I started college and at the same time started a full time development job. I decided to drop out of school with the same thoughts as you, that I don't need the degree because it wasn't teaching me anything anyways. Now with 6 years of solid experience plus the time I developed while in High School I was layed off from a very well paying job because the company decided to move to a different state. This proves that management can screw anything up no matter what you may think and that nothing lasts forever. I agree with the other gentlemen when he said the degree proves you are willing to commit to something and finish it. In almost all common fields that is what it's about. Lawyers and Doctors are about the only thing that really teach anything in the course of the studies and they go to school 6+ years full-time. I recently had to return to school to finish my degree because employers where I live want a degree. Most feel more comfortable being able to say all their employees have at least a B.S., others actually need the degree so they can charge customers a specific amount of money. For example, when working with the governemnt, companies can only charge the government based on the degree the developer has. So, a Ph.D. pays more than a Masters, and that pays more than a B.S. This may not ever be the case with you because you are not in the same field, but do not discount this lesson. If I would have just taken 2 or even 1 class for the last 6 years I would have graduated by now. My advice to you is to not drop out and to obtain that degree no matter what, even if you have to take 1 class each semester. If you drop out you will probably feel really good for a while because you don't have to worry about school anymore, but as times passes and you start thinking about what it would be like to have a degree you will realize that you could of had it already if you would have just stayed in. As for the people that quit school to play Pro: Ask one of the Pro players how he feels when he suffers an injury so that he is no longer able to play his sport. He has no education and no other trade skills. Keep in mind most of these people have very poor money management skills because they think it will 'last forever'. So they end up broke with no job and no education. The moral is, prepare to be injured and unable
afinnell wrote: Now for the egotistical reason to stay in school. There's nothing worse then being among a group of collogues and talking about how well you do at your job then getting the inevitable question, "So where did you graduate?" And I can't tell you how many times I have heard this.... :( I usually make a joke about it to lighten the mood, but it often hurts me no matter how it is dealt with. The military types come in, with a "why should we listen to you? you don't even have a BS" attitude quite often. When I write a white paper or make a presentation of my work that catches attention, the first question is almost always where my training was. I end up having to prove my more odd theories in evenings for free, and then controversy starts as to why some idiot without a degree can do something that no one else could. Its a no-win situation, if I fail its because I don't have a degree, if I succeed, I just made dozens of degreed enemies. That's even another reason why I considered a degree in a related field, but not directly tied with my work. They can say, well, he did it because he found a way to apply neighboring fields to his current work, which is exactly what I do, pull in work in all graphics fields to apply to my current work. I see things very differently than others. If I didn't love my job, it would not be worth the hassle. _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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"What if you are the employer/decision maker? If someone isn't doing their job, I'm the one that cans their ass. There are 3 of us, work well together, so this isn't some big ass company. We are basically all self employed but not quite. It might sound complicated, but it's really, really nice." Did you put as much equity into the company as the other 2 partners? If not then you are not one of the owners. In that case you can easily be let go. Also if you own a company and had to get outside investment that still doesn't mean you can't be let go. The person that controls the money will always make the final decision. There have been many cases when the founders of companies have been let go once they release control to the board of directors because they had to get outside investment. I understand this isn't the case with you, but like I said don't assume everything will last forever. Just look at all the big named companies going out of business now. Who would have thought? Don't ever let your education fall behind, whether it be school or your own training. At this stage in our country a B.S. will serve you until the end of your lifetime, after that it will be on you to learn as much as you can on your own. Look at the future; 10 years from now would you rather tell your kids (Don't reply and say you dont plan on having kids, I'm making a point here ;-) that you had 13 years of experience and a college degree, or that you just worked for 13 years of your life without finishing college. Set a good example for the other people in this world and yourself. Don't do yourself an injustice by quiting. All this being said I completely understand where you are comming from. I am so far beyond many of my peers in terms of experience and knowledge, yet they have degrees and get more respect. It eats at me all the time. You have to understand that other people are very ignorant when it comes to education and ability. One of the biggest reasons I gave for dropping out was Bill Gates. If you take him for example he dropped out and started what is now the biggest software development firms. Now, try convincing a commoner that he dropped out of school and did what he did.. It's like getting braces. When you are a teenage you hate the idea of getting braces and put up a good fight. However by the time you in your mid 20's you have straight teeth and probably don't remember much about the braces. It's done and over and now you have something to show for it. Another good example from my life. I never got braces
afinnell wrote: Ah.. I feel like I'm 40... hey! hey!!! careful, some of us are! ;P _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
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afinnell wrote: Now for the egotistical reason to stay in school. There's nothing worse then being among a group of collogues and talking about how well you do at your job then getting the inevitable question, "So where did you graduate?" And I can't tell you how many times I have heard this.... :( I usually make a joke about it to lighten the mood, but it often hurts me no matter how it is dealt with. The military types come in, with a "why should we listen to you? you don't even have a BS" attitude quite often. When I write a white paper or make a presentation of my work that catches attention, the first question is almost always where my training was. I end up having to prove my more odd theories in evenings for free, and then controversy starts as to why some idiot without a degree can do something that no one else could. Its a no-win situation, if I fail its because I don't have a degree, if I succeed, I just made dozens of degreed enemies. That's even another reason why I considered a degree in a related field, but not directly tied with my work. They can say, well, he did it because he found a way to apply neighboring fields to his current work, which is exactly what I do, pull in work in all graphics fields to apply to my current work. I see things very differently than others. If I didn't love my job, it would not be worth the hassle. _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)
Yup, completely understand. Sometimes I just tell them what school I'm going to. So if the question is, "So what school did you go to?" I just them the truth and nothing else. I went to so and so.. Nuff said and I didn't lie. :) This is one of those things I really regret not doing earlier in my life. - Drew