Degrees vs Certifications Comparison ( Efficiency Vs. Tradition)

ninopacino · Oct 5, 2014

Alright, so i'm sure a few of you have this decision making point in your life. You consider going back to school for another degree or finishing a degree you started. The question is will this help you get a decent paying job ( say 40 -50k +) out the gate, or will it be the close to same pay as the job you already have (33 - 36K) ? You start look at the degree programs and grit your teeth as you look at the electives and pre - reqs (business) that don't have ish to with the specialized functions you are interested in (market research / analytics). You then see you can get a certificate in a specialization rather than being a jack of all knowledge and master of none. What path would you guys take? Keep this in mind.........

Conventionally our society and parent condition us to get that degree as if we will become low lives with mad kids, a criminal record and a bum without it. What will get you in the door ?( skills or a piece of paper that doesn't even show if you can perform the job functions itself)

STEM major please don't come around showing off, we know you guys are set for decent jobs

johnnyredstorm · Oct 5, 2014

The thought of having to bust my *** daily to make a capped salary is the reason why I became a day trader. It ain't easy, but at least all the time and effort I'm dedicating leaves me free to make as much as I want, not as much as my boss wants to pay me. Having to work a real job, making 30k a year is enough to motivate me to study each day and gradually get better and better.

I've got an English degree and yeah I could go to grad school and become a teacher, but yeah, I'm good on spending 60k just to make a guaranteed 40k the rest of my life.

jon4rd · Oct 5, 2014

It can go both ways. I know with IT, certifications hold a lot of weight but depending on the job a degree might be required. I don't have a straight answer for you though

nazdrowie · Oct 5, 2014

imo, too much theory, and not enough practice is the problem with academia

johnnyredstorm · Oct 5, 2014

NazDrowie said:
imo, too much theory, and not enough practice is the problem with academia

I honestly think it should be really hard for people to become teachers. Like, I feel like only the world's best minds, or the second tier really wise folk, should be the ones teaching. That way, you could give them a real wage and students could actually learn critical thinking and what not instead of regurgitating facts from a book. The system sucks. You spend 30k a year to get a piece of paper that gives you a chance at a job. Computers have been around since the 80s and not one of us in school was taught how to code growing up. That's ******* despicable.

blastercombo · Oct 5, 2014

^ semi agree. Should be more strict with qualifications but at the wage they pay them, the power students have over them, and the type of contracts that have to sign, it's no mystery why everything is the way that it is

In regards to cert vs degree, they both hold their weight but here's what pushed you over the edge as far as jobs,

1. Previous experience
2. Who you know

7thave btn 31stn33rd st · Oct 5, 2014

I've always said there are too many people in College for degrees in a particular industry that doesn't necessarily need it.

You have to look at what industry needs and what you definitely need to attain it.

FTR, I know more successful people who DID NOT go to college than the ones who have a degree. Most of the people I know who have degrees sit in a cubicle all day and a slave. The ones who did not attend are entrepreneurs.

fontaine · Oct 5, 2014

Certs >> degrees in IT field and a few others

Degrees >> certs in almost every other field.

Community colleges and junior colleges are your friend...

Not sure why people think they have to take every class and the most expensive institution in their state.

Also, hunt for schollys. Folks out here giving money away.

For certs, do like ol' buddy was saying in that thread a few years back...:

Make them up... They don't check.

That thread was such jokes... :rofl:

Dude was out ere trying to get people incarcerated

nazdrowie · Oct 5, 2014

I've always loved the idea of vocational education and co-op/intern/extern programs for colleges...

i think more people should take advantage of schools' work for credits experience programs...something like 70-75% of my class held interned before graduating, and no idea the overall numbers, but i can say i don't know many people who fall into under or unemployed labels

mr marcus · Oct 5, 2014

Just depends on what you want to go into

Also public school teachers are in shambles. Filled with teachers that are in it cause their first option failed :smh:

The days of lady's who were passionate to educate are long gone

nazdrowie · Oct 5, 2014

Mr Marcus said:
Just depends on what you want to go into

Also public school teachers are in shambles. Filled with teachers that are in it cause their first option failed

The days of lady's who were passionate to educate are long gone

i think educators still exist but the main complaint (at least from the ones I've talked to) is that curriculums are developed towards standardized testing...

also heard complaints that decision making (for public schools) is so bureaucratic, but I'm not a teacher so iaenoit

fontaine · Oct 5, 2014

NazDrowie said:
i think educators still exist but the main complaint (at least from the ones I've talked to) is that curriculums are developed towards standardized testing...

also heard complaints that decision making (for public schools) is so bureaucratic, but I'm not a teacher so iaenoit

bingo

johnnyredstorm · Oct 5, 2014

that's what bothers me man. it's not even like we care if the kids learn something. we just want them to be able to fill in the correct bubble.

rico x hood · Oct 5, 2014

If you have a job and want to get ahead: certification.

Don't have a job: degree. Simple

fontaine · Oct 5, 2014

Rico x Hood said:
If you have a job and want to get ahead: certification.

Don't have a job: degree. Simple

this is wrong it's ridiculous. :lol:

antidope · Oct 5, 2014

Interesting thread. I have both and neither has done what they said it would. So yeah.....

Mark Antony · Oct 5, 2014

Fontaine said:
Rico x Hood said:

If you have a job and want to get ahead: certification.

Don't have a job: degree. Simple

Click to expand...

this is wrong it's ridiculous.

Very wrong and not that simple. Either way, folks have to realize none is automatic for a better paying job. You don't have the experience, the tools, and can't sell those in an interview it will be tough. Those should be key before either of those.

kickstart · Oct 5, 2014

Bumping this back up cause I asked a similar question in the Graduate thread. Went unanswered and seems to going the same here. lol

Some professors have told me certs are great for those in the field but looking for quick advancement. They also noted that depending on the certs credits can be transferred over to a degree later--depending upon the school.

capital sb · Oct 5, 2014

Fontaine said:
Certs >> degrees in IT field and a few others

Not entirely true. There are alot of IT jobs that require a degree. I would say way more jobs that require a degree than ones that don't. Even people that have been working in the field for 25+ years are going back to get their degrees to get a raise or promotion. Its not as easy to make it to big bucks with no degree in IT like it used to be. Without a degree in IT you will definitely hit a ceiling.

airuphere23 · Oct 5, 2014

been checking this thread out...any people with Computer Science degrees?

Just started on mine and wanted to know how successful people have been with the transition into the workforce (ease of finding a job/pay)... :nerd:

bishopstrongbow · Oct 5, 2014

3 years removed from obtaining my degree and let's just say, it hasnt helped nearly as much as I thought it would.

capital sb · Oct 5, 2014

AirUpHere23 said:
been checking this thread out...any people with Computer Science degrees?

Just started on mine and wanted to know how successful people have been with the transition into the workforce (ease of finding a job/pay)...

I graduate this December with my CS degree. Its super easy to find a job I'm in the DC area. I received numerous offers and have a job lined up already staring in January. Where are you located?

airuphere23 · Oct 5, 2014

BeezyGotSole said:
I graduate this December with my CS degree. Its super easy to find a job I'm in the DC area. I received numerous offers and have a job lined up already staring in January. Where are you located?

I'm in south Texas..too close to the border so I might have to migrate to Dallas or Houston later on lol.

capital sb · Oct 5, 2014

AirUpHere23 said:
I'm in south Texas..too close to the border so I might have to migrate to Dallas or Houston later on lol.

Yeah can't be afraid to relocate, there are plenty of CS jobs in Texas. Know a dude that came out making 100k with Microsoft in Dallas.

fontaine · Oct 5, 2014

BeezyGotSole said:
Not entirely true. There are alot of IT jobs that require a degree. I would say way more jobs that require a degree than ones that don't. Even people that have been working in the field for 25+ years are going back to get their degrees to get a raise or promotion. Its not as easy to make it to big bucks with no degree in IT like it used to be. Without a degree in IT you will definitely hit a ceiling.

true, famb.

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Degrees vs Certifications Comparison ( Efficiency Vs. Tradition)

ninopacino

johnnyredstorm

jon4rd

nazdrowie

johnnyredstorm

blastercombo

7thave btn 31stn33rd st

fontaine

nazdrowie

mr marcus

nazdrowie

fontaine

johnnyredstorm

rico x hood

fontaine

antidope

Mark Antony

kickstart

capital sb

airuphere23

bishopstrongbow

capital sb

airuphere23

capital sb

fontaine

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