Hi Vik, On Thu, Jul 10, 2008 at 4:41 PM, joomlafreak <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> ... My impression so far had been that they really are > not counted much compared to your experience. It is generally > mentioned by people that increasing competition has led to companies > using the credentials like degree as a way of scoring the candidates > but in the end it is your experience relevant to the need that counts. I think this is right on target but here's where I've seen it vary. In a large corporate setting degree tends to be a check mark for eligibility for employment. Some places take GPA into account and require transcripts (I personally think this matters considerably less than the potential employee's passions.) To contrast this, smaller companies and startups usually tend to look for the experience and care less about the degree. I cut my teeth in a start up environment and that experience has been one of the biggest influences in my career. Also smaller companies may tend to be more flexable in terms of taking on an "intern" and you'll benefit from a wide range of opportunities (such as programming to hardware systems to networking). Personal networking is going to be your biggest asset in this switch (hence your post here to build your network.) Since this career switch is delving into an area where you don't have previous experience and contacts, this is where the formal degree can be an asset. When you pick a school make sure it's a research oriented program as opposed to a "general theory" program. A highly research academic setting will give you the networking contacts that you'd need to break into the field and potentially further in without as much relevant experience. A number of startups have come out of the academic settings (*cough* google.) So even going to a university and talking with the faculty may give you the contacts needed to find companies in the early stages that would love to take you on. ... > > Why I am thinking otherwise, not going formal way which may be wrong > completely, is that it is four years to do a degree course which is a > big time period and my age factor creates a fear in my mind. I am > pretty strong when I say I have taken the decision to switch my career > but still it breaks in sometimes. I absolutely know what you're going through and empathize! There will be dozens upon dozens of people that will say "you can't do that!" and then dozens more after you do it that will say "how'd you do that? Please tell me!". I've gone/going through a similar situation in changing jobs but am stepping into a situation in which I have lots of experience and contacts. Still, there are those that will tell you you're crazy. It comes down to this, you can't be afraid of things not working out and have to determine if the risk is worth the potential payoff. I agree that the four years seems like a long time but you have to ask yourself the question, "in four years would I rather be an MD or working in the technology field". There will be moments of doubt along the way (I turned in 2 weeks notice and walked out that day thinking "WHAT THE HECK HAVE I DONE!") but you have to remind your self at that point what you're working towards. So good luck! Cheers, -Jonathan
