You’ve heard the Mayor of New York advising students to forego college and learn a trade. Like plumbing. Or maybe programming. After all, taking a few tech courses is a whole lot cheaper than earning a four-year college degree. And MOOCs are even cheaper – usually free. So why go into debt for tens of thousands of dollars for something you don’t really need?
Hold your horses! (We learned that in cowboy school.)
Before you shake the dust of academia from your feet (obviously bare, because you can’t afford both tuition and new shoes), consider the results of a poll conducted by BBC Capital, the business website launched last year by the BBC.
BBC Capital asked experts for their opinion about the importance of a university degree in landing a high-paying job within the technology sector. The general consensus was that a four-year degree will at the very least open doors and give you more interview opportunities. The degree will set you apart from job candidates who have merely tech school credentials. Furthermore, obtaining a degree demonstrates the kind of initiative, attitude, and discipline about professionalism that many employers value. Dropping out of college sends the wrong message to potential employers.
And while technologies evolve, while specific languages and tools change rapidly, the fundamentals of engineering and computer science remain constant. Good fundamentals, taught in a traditional degree program, can position you well for a long-term career.
The experts agreed that while there are self-taught developers who are very strong, most IT managers look for that college degree as a baseline requirement. And a college degree gives you international mobility in the technology field.
So listen to your mother. Stay in school. And don’t bring your laundry home next weekend.