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This post hits home for me. I joined the education industry a few years ago and learned quickly that to advance, I need a degree. Having never gone to college

This post hits home for me. I joined the education industry a few years ago and learned quickly that to advance, I need a degree. Having never gone to college, and in my thirties, I was discouraged... but, nevertheless, enrolled anyway. Since no one cared what my degree was in, or where it was from, I enrolled in University of Phoenix for an AA in IT. I've got the GI bill to thank for my eventual pay raise (I'm done in 3 weeks) but really, I just spent ~18k on almost no useful knowledge. I learned a few things about academic writing, and forced my way through some upper level algebra which I will likely not use again, but overall, it was truly a waste of time for me. If it wasn't 100% paid for, I would have never completed. I only continued out of stubbornness. The sort of content that MIT offers is exactly what I would rather have. Task-based learning about subjects that interest me. Generalized learning is a waste of my time and effort. "Professional Certifications" like the A+ or Net+ are highly regarded pieces of paper that prove the holder knows how to read a book and take a test which requires no practical knowledge of the material. If the employment industry can embrace this type of learning, and focus on the candidates abilities instead of resume, open learning could have a very bright future.

colkassad 15y ago
I'm in my late 30s and four classes away from my BS in Computer Science. If you find yourself at a career-related impasse again, consider the community college to 4-year school route. Through Pell Grants and employer assistance, it was extremely affordable (18k for an AA seems excessive). Also, I have found my education to be very useful in my work, both at home and for my employer. Mainly the math though (discrete, linear algebra, and stats). The programming not so much, as I already knew how to program.
- Random_Person 15y ago
  Awesome! Congratulations on all the hard work! I have considered local colleges, but with two small children and a wife that is a social worker, it is very difficult to find classes that fit my schedule. The premium for online schooling is absolutely ridiculous, but it is the price I pay for the convenience. Also, I have no interest in changing careers, so going full-time is not really an option either. As for learning experience, an AA in IT is about as basic as it gets. I'm a Systems Administrator taking classes like 'Introduction to LAN Technologies.' I had the most fun in my two Web Design classes because that is something I had not tackled previously... though, to be honest, I could have learned everything those two classes taught me in a weekends time on my own.
  - colkassad 15y ago
    Thanks! I understand the family thing, my daughter is 15 months old and my wife is currently getting her MBA at the same four year school. When I was in community college, finding night classes and online classes was easy. Once I switched, I had to take more day classes. Glad I had a flexible employer. As a Sys Admin, I think certifications are king. I work for a global engineering firm and most of the IT guys here need the MCSE and CISCO stuff.
    - Random_Person 15y ago
      In the real world, certifications are more desirable for Sys Admins. I work for the State Board of Education, however, and as with any government job, pay scale is based off of education level. I receive supplements for my certifications, but they do not factor into my yearly raise or advancement schedule.

colkassad 15y ago

I'm in my late 30s and four classes away from my BS in Computer Science. If you find yourself at a career-related impasse again, consider the community college to 4-year school route. Through Pell Grants and employer assistance, it was extremely affordable (18k for an AA seems excessive). Also, I have found my education to be very useful in my work, both at home and for my employer. Mainly the math though (discrete, linear algebra, and stats). The programming not so much, as I already knew how to program.

Random_Person 15y ago
Awesome! Congratulations on all the hard work! I have considered local colleges, but with two small children and a wife that is a social worker, it is very difficult to find classes that fit my schedule. The premium for online schooling is absolutely ridiculous, but it is the price I pay for the convenience. Also, I have no interest in changing careers, so going full-time is not really an option either. As for learning experience, an AA in IT is about as basic as it gets. I'm a Systems Administrator taking classes like 'Introduction to LAN Technologies.' I had the most fun in my two Web Design classes because that is something I had not tackled previously... though, to be honest, I could have learned everything those two classes taught me in a weekends time on my own.
- colkassad 15y ago
  Thanks! I understand the family thing, my daughter is 15 months old and my wife is currently getting her MBA at the same four year school. When I was in community college, finding night classes and online classes was easy. Once I switched, I had to take more day classes. Glad I had a flexible employer. As a Sys Admin, I think certifications are king. I work for a global engineering firm and most of the IT guys here need the MCSE and CISCO stuff.
  - Random_Person 15y ago
    In the real world, certifications are more desirable for Sys Admins. I work for the State Board of Education, however, and as with any government job, pay scale is based off of education level. I receive supplements for my certifications, but they do not factor into my yearly raise or advancement schedule.