Originally Posted by TripleMoons

I think this need split in two...

Those who do this professionally...
Those who fart around with it for fun...

Professionally, if you're working in the job market, fairly new (within the last few years), a degree is a necessity. I've been turned down on jobs (dozens) because I don't hold a Bachelors or Masters (I have an Associates instead)...Even though my real work experience trumps what an additional 2-4 years of schooling would teach me. I am a firm believer in education (we started my son's college fund a few short weeks after he was born). So saying, in this day and age, that an education is not necessary in the job market is, in my opinion, inaccurate.

That is not to say that you should ever stop learning or bettering yourself. In this field, things are changing every day. You have to keep up on it if you want to be taken seriously. In the past five years since I graduated college I have learned more on my own and working for companies then I ever did in school.

I think some of it depends on the field. While I DO agree with you on the education, I am a self taught Systems Engineer and do not hold a degree. Maybe I just got lucky but the companies I have worked for either contractual or full time, have outweighed experience more than a piece of paper that says I know how to read a book and memorize answers to exam questions. Yes certs do help, which I have failed & passed... not one company I have worked with has asked for a degree. I think some of the education system is a little behind when it comes to IT/ Web design & a lot of what is taught most of the time doesn't seem to be in the real world. I took one class on web design a few years ago and felt it was useless for a 70 year old man to read a book to me that I can read myself in less time, even though I wouldn't get a piece of paper that says so. I'm not saying someone shouldn't pursue a degree, maybe I just got lucky. I technically don't do web design "professionally", but I have done a few contracts through my company as well as my works public & intranet SharePoint sites without a degree and get paid the same salary as the next person who holds a 4 year degree.

P.S. don't mind me if some things contradict each other...that's what happens when you sit in a data center 10 hours a day and don't talk or see anyone.. haha

It always seemed rediculous to me even in Middle School to spend 6 weeks learning about something that can be learned in a couple days on the internet. I guess that's why I flunked out of school and haven't had a decent job since.

The internet is absolutely unbelievable and in my opinion unless the field that you want to be in requires a degree, then there is no reason to spend the next 10 years paying back school loans.

I love the internet, and this is where I am most comfortable so I believe full heartedly that you can learn and earn a living entirely using the power of the internet.

Originally Posted by MDwebdev85

I think some of it depends on the field.

I had assumed we were talking about Web Design & Development being this was posted in the HTML forum. Obviously if your job is picking up garbage for a living, you don't need a degree for that.

Originally Posted by ReadEZArchive

I guess that's why I flunked out of school and haven't had a decent job since.

Case in point.

Originally Posted by TripleMoons

I had assumed we were talking about Web Design & Development being this was posted in the HTML forum. Obviously if your job is picking up garbage for a living, you don't need a degree for that.



Case in point.

True....your right, I think this thread is for Web Design & Development posted in the HTML forum....point taken.