Posted by wayneh [68.32.120.247] on Thursday, August 08, 2013 at 20:36:38 :
In Reply to: College Degrees? OT posted by Sterling from TX [99.58.180.94] on Thursday, August 08, 2013 at 11:30:23 :
Sterling: I read all the posts and I think you have gotten a lot of very good advice. I almost didn't answer since so much good advice has already been said. Let me summarize the points that I think need to be said one more time:
1) Work has to be fun. Do something where you will be passionate about what you do and enjoy what you do. If you follow your passion and have fire in your belly for whatever you do it will take you places. Enthusiasm is contagious and a force multiplier.
2) 30 years ago a BS degree was a big deal. Today, it is about the same as a high school degree 30 years ago. Almost all the engineers and computer scientists we promote have masters degrees. It is scary.
3) Hard skills pay money. The degree in poetry is not worth much monetary value compared to a BS or MS in ME, CS or EE.
4) Learn to write. I wish my teachers in school beat this into me, but they did not.. If you can't communicate in writing, you will be severely handicapped in the high technology world today if you chose to get in it. It is not important for entry level jobs, but as you progress you need to learn how to write.
5) You don't have to have a formal degree to succeed and make money. My one neighbor was not school smart and he was voted most likely to be a loser when he grew up. He now has a 100 acre farm in the suburbs of Maryland and makes more money than any techie ever will. Plus, he's the nicest guy in the world.
6) Lastly, and nobody told you this yet, but people have to like you. I don't care how smart you are, if nobody likes you, you will be a failure. I told my brothers kid that 10 years ago. Made his Mom and Dad unhappy, but let me tell you the kid is an officer in the Navy today and very squared away now.
Good luck in whatever you do.
Wayne