Experience vs Degree

[Henley1989 10]

Hi,

I hope to receive my K1 Fiancé visa later this year (followed by adjustment of status and green card)

Im doing some early investigation into job potential.

I know in the US, a college degree is highly sought after. I was wondering if anyone was in the same situation as me and got anywhere..

26 years old, no college degree (high school was highest education), started work in software (support/training/customer success) straight out of school. Im in my 6th year of work, and I have held 5 positions with my first employer (6 years) and I just moved onto my second employer couple months back.

I have multiple UK and US based positive references. (I worked in the US on a work visa for a while). I tend to do very well in interviews and I know what im looking for job wise.

Any advice? Am I restricted in my job search?

Thanks
Levy

[Umka36 781]

Here is my own personal experience, but having a degree typically opens the door for an interview/opportunity (which is the hardest part in my opinion). After that experience matters a lot.

When employers look at resume/CV, they usually have minimum qualifications. If they require a degree, and you don't have one they probably will just move you to the no interview pile. In one of the organization I worked for, I met a really talented IT person who started at a low level IT position (only had a HS diploma and AA degree in IT), and was able to move up the career ladder quickly once he got in. He ultimately got his Bachelor's Degree to open the door for other opportunities, and it worked out for him.

OP, I wish you luck but just don't be discouraged if you don't get your dream job right away. If you do get it, more power to you.

[novedsac 355]

I don't think your job search will be restricted in anyway, but it may be more difficult getting your foot in the door, so to speak, for the initial interview and vetting process.

Fact is, in established companies, there are many qualified people vying for the same job and an employer can be a bit choosy. Unfortunate as it seems, a job application/resume/CV usually gets an initial 20 second view before it either goes into the 'qualified' pile or the 'not qualified' pile - and these decisions are based purely upon meeting a pre-determined metric which is either present on the resume/cv or not.

For you, it may be better to work through a recruiter who will take the time to know your abilities beyond what is on your resume/cv, and then the recruiter will be able to better position you for an interview. Also, networking will be very helpful to you, as well as perhaps considering freelance work for awhile ...

[perfect 39]

I've found that showing that I had a "United Kingdom general education" and having a neutral British accent has opened up many doors, even though I don't have a degree. I found ways to make my resume stand out from my competition and have only been unemployed for 9 months during the ten years I've been here (and that was because of a reduction in force). Otherwise I have held jobs in which the job description stated it required a degree and which have paid on the higher end ($25-$41 per hour, and I'm only in the admin field, nothing special!). I think if you can market yourself and interview well...lack of a degree shouldn't stop you getting a good job. Even Google recognizes that experience over a degree (which it used to insist on) actually isn't best practice!
http://www.businessinsider.com/how-google-hires-people-2013-6

http://venturebeat.com/2014/04/25/why-google-doesnt-care-about-college-degrees-in-5-quotes/

Maybe the market place you're in makes a difference too - I'm in Southern California. Also agree with Novedsac that getting a good recruiter who will properly market your skills and experience is important. Pick one that is not just a glorified sales rep who is trying to put bums on seats but one who wants to place you in a long-term career position for the good of you and the company!

Hope that helps

Edited February 2, 2015 by perfect

[Henley1989 10]

Thanks very much for all the advice. I understand getting a foot in the door is the hardest part and lack of degree can make that more difficult for me. I will start looking for suitable recruiters who might be able to help out. For my part, I have made sure my resume has been Americanised and I have my references in order. At this point all I need is some good fortune.

Cheers

[VOL 425]

There are many online degree that you can get a transcript and diploma within a few days

.

[Henley1989 10]

Interesting. Would something like that be of use? Better than nothing?

If so would do you have any links?

Cheers

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Places are aware of the fake degrees and will toss your resume in the trash if that is your education. Go for certification tests. You can take those and they are sought by employers.

[Henley1989 10]

Thanks. Not sure what a certification test is but will research. Do you mean like a Microsoft certification? I need something that is going to be really quick..

Cheers

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Microsoft, cisco, comptia+ If you have the skills to pass the test based on what you have learned then jobs looking for those skills exist. There are hundreds of thousand in the US that go to bad or fake diploma mills and never get a job based on those "degrees" Unfortunately software is easily exported so a lot of jobs are not in the US they are somehwere where you can hire twice the promgrammer for one third the price.

[Henley1989 10]

Thanks. I actually did some research and found something that is based exactly around the role I intend to move into. Its not a degree or a certified course, but its an on-line short course that provides the exact skills I need to transfer into the field I want. Hopefully this will show potential future employers that initiative was taken to learn something that would directly influence my work as well as taking an interest in the field itself

[CowBoE 429]

I've been in IT career for 30 years.

Is college degree required for IT job? No

Is it harder to find a job with only HS degree? Yes

Based on my experience and assessment of your situation...

1. Big companies tend to have more strict guidelines.

Some not only required college degree in the relevant field,

but they often have minimum GPA requirement (for young professionals such as you).

2. Small companies tend to have more relaxed guidelines,

so you might have better chance.

3. If you target near entry level positions like level I customer support, Help Desk, etc.

there are ton of these jobs that pays $8 to $20 per hour that you will have good

change to get in.

4. Getting as many certifications as possible in lieu of college degree,

it will definitely improve your knowledge and impression of your skills.

5. Once you get to US, look into getting at least 2 year junior college degree,

which is relatively cheap, and often offer night and evening classes

so that you can work also.

6. After you complete Junior college, consider putting in 2 more years of school

to get the bachelor degree.

7. Keep in mind that many companies offer tuition reimbursement, so it can

also help to pay for school as well.

8. Lastly, network...network...network...I'm talking people networking.

This is by far the easiest and quickest way to get jobs.

Start by joining local XXX technology user group, and start mingling with other peers.

Volunteer to tutor deprived kids...joining various social groups...etc.

Good luck.

[Henley1989 10]

Thanks very much. Really helpful points. A couple of points from my side:

- Im actually not in IT at all. Its all been software houses - I know software houses and apps are big right now so im going to be targeting those. The role im going for is customer success which luckily does not require any actual formal qualification, its merely a skill-set, so in this case, my experience and references might count for a fair bit.

- Correct - both companies I have worked for have been small software houses who have more relaxed views on entry requirements, so its a recipe I will stick to. Of course doesn't hurt to apply to bigger companies.

- Obviously I would like to go straight into a mid senior level role as that's my current position, but I don't think I can be that picky. It might be a case of getting any half decent paid job to get my foot in the door. American jobs tend to pay better than English so I might even be able to match current salary at a lower level of seniority.

- I actually worked in the States for 2 years so I do have a number of ex-clients that I still keep in contact with, so im definitely going to use that to aid my search.

Cheers

Levy

[Frips 166]

Sinyor19 I`m on the same road as you are, 36 years old...just HS degree :/ and 16 years experience in IT, last year as CIO. I have a comptia a+ and now I`m preparing for network+ cert. Hope these certificates will help me with job hunting later on......

At the beginning my plan is searching entry level job just to get filling how stuff works there:)

Good luck!

[Henley1989 10]

Frips,

So you are also applying for a visa and seeing your possible work options once you get EAD? I think entry level might have to be an option to consider. As demoting as it it with years of solid experience, perhaps this is what we have to consider with no degree in the States - Of course I will apply for senior jobs too but I guess entry level aswell now.

Good luck to you too!