Importance of degree in todays field

[byron_spy]

At the end of the day its who can do the job that's all ... Should that be with a degree then good for you, if its without well done no one cares its about getting the work done

Should you decide to study go for the degree diplomas mean nothing might as well go work somewhere

[Cius]

This is a blessing in disguise. I'd much rather work for the smaller companies than corporate. We get to work in flip flops and shorts

Seriously though, and this is a bit off topic, but do you honestly like working for corporate?

Honestly I can say not really. The politics ain't great and you can really feel like a number sometimes. I am kinda in a trap right now. While I don't hate my work I certainly don't enjoy it and have turned down work I know I would have enjoyed more because the money where I am is still just too good. The thing about the corporates is that not only is the salary amazing the benifits are too. If I was single it would be less of an issue but with a family and two kids to put through school it becomes harder. As an example my daughter has a rare medical condition. Its fully treatable but is very expensive.

My company medical aid pays out over R28K per year for her treatment and that is without touching any of the normal categories. I also have a bond financed at prime -2.5% as working for a bank means you qualify for the Fringe Benefit Tax rate (FBT). So if I should leave here not only would I probably take a salary cut I would also loose all those benifits. In the case of the medical aid our doctor has told us that only Discovery pays reliably for my daughters treatment and only on its higher plans so I would need to fork out a lot more for medical aid if I ever left. All these things make it difficult to leave. Still, once my bond is paid and my daughters treatment is over in a few years it would be a lot easier to leave I think. Will have to see. In the meantime I stick it out.

To leave would just not be financially viable right now. I know a lot of people get stuck in this kind of hole too. Damned by the money

Still, I should not complain. I actually work for good people and have an amazing deal. I don't do much overtime, have nice flexible hours (6:30 - 15:30 to avoid traffic), and can't complain about the remuneration. The only cost to it all is that I am not doing what I enjoy, just what I am competent at and there is a demand for it.

[terencej]

Iv just applied for unisa doing the bsc, and was accepted....Why is the Btech better?

When did you apply? I thought applications can only start in august?

[D3x!]

When did you apply? I thought applications can only start in august?

sounds like you are in the same boat as me

[terencej]

sounds like you are in the same boat as me

Jip, I want to apply to do a BSC in Informatics. But have to now wait untill August. I'm so eager to start but now have to wait, it sucks ass!

oh yes, on this why is a qualification necessary? I believe it is. I have about 3 years .net/sql development experience and struggle to find a new job(I am currently employed as a junior dev). Of 10 people I phoned about jobs about 8 I know took developers with papers but around the same experience. A Qualification just makes finding a job allot easier.

Yes, I can develop. But I also understand that if i was a employer weighing up 2 applications with the same experience but one has a qualification and the other one do not that I would take the qualified person.

[D3x!]

Jip, I want to apply to do a BSC in Informatics. But have to now wait untill August. I'm so eager to start but now have to wait, it sucks ass!

oh yes, on this while is a qualification necessary? I believe it is. I have about 3 years .net/sql development experience and struggle to find a new job(I am currently employed as a junior dev). Of 10 people I phoned about jobs about 8 I know took developers with papers but around the same experience. A Qualification just makes finding a job allot easier.

Yes, I can develop. But I also understand that if i was a developer weighing up 2 applications with the same experience but one has a qualification and the other one do not that I would take the qualified person.

Yip I want to start now as well, either between the informatics or the computing, but regardless I can only apply in august then register next year.

What I am looking for in the meatime is a worthwhile course to do in the next 6 months where there is a possibility of counting towards the credits

[terencej]

Yip I want to start now as well, either between the informatics or the computing, but regardless I can only apply in august then register next year.

What I am looking for in the meatime is a worthwhile course to do in the next 6 months where there is a possibility of counting towards the credits

Wow, thats a good idea. If you know of a short course like that, let me know.

Computing has too many maths subjects for my liking. hahaha

[stoymigo]

I'm also applying for the informatics degree, for me the business modules are more relevant to me now than the mathematics modules.
I've already passed a few modules and they actually helped me in an interview a while ago where they asked basic questions about oop.

[cbrunsdonza]

At the end of the day its who can do the job that's all ... Should that be with a degree then good for you, if its without well done no one cares its about getting the work done

Should you decide to study go for the degree diplomas mean nothing might as well go work somewhere

I disagree with you. The older I get the more important I realize its for me to finish my degree. A degree improves the chance of me earning a descent salary. I have an uncle who lost everything when he retired, he just got his PhD this year and his education has ensured that he can still earn an income else he would be on the streets.

Keep in mind that education is the only thing that cannot be taken away from you (as I've learnt what happened to my uncle).

[zippy]

This is a blessing in disguise. I'd much rather work for the smaller companies than corporate. We get to work in flip flops and shorts

Seriously though, and this is a bit off topic, but do you honestly like working for corporate?

The problem with small companies is that when things go bad, they go bad for everyone. Also training opportunities tend to be better in larger organisations.

I found in larger companies while you dont tend to become big mates with the boss, there are more colleagues at your level and if you get on with them, that makes for a better work environment.

I also found smaller companies pay less. Their margins are tighter. More risk. Ofc, there are exceptions, but generally larger companies are more willing to pay the market rates to keep good people.

[droplet]

Seriously though, and this is a bit off topic, but do you honestly like working for corporate?

so many benifits - medical aid, job security, training, climbing the ladder

[droplet]

BTech can be converted into a degree with a few extra courses however and is a good option.

B.Tech (IT) is a degree. in fact, it is an honours degree.

[fivenine]

Very true and why I encourage people to study.

I find Diplomas have a shelf life in IT where Degrees do not. Look at a BSc or BTech - I'm currently a BSc student at UNISA and rather regret I did not do the BTech route so don't let anybody make you believe a BSc is better.

Care to explain why you regret not doing the BTech?

[Mike Hoxbig]

so many benifits - medical aid, job security, training, climbing the ladder

The flipside of that is if when they go through retrenchments, then you really are just a number. And it's even worse if you just started (LIFO).

[zippy]

The flipside of that is if when they go through retrenchments, then you really are just a number. And it's even worse if you just started (LIFO).

Not my experience at all. They get rid of the deadwood.