I’m in IT in the software engineering side, now in management. I don’t have any experience in the systems administration/networking side, so I won’t comment on that. My experience is that of a developer with about 10 years of experience, and I have managed, led and hired teams for about 5 of that.
During good times (like now), an intelligent, articulate developer can very easily get a job, regardless of 9 month certificate or 4 year degree. Experience, appropriate skills, and the ability to hit the ground running are more important. I’m hiring positions right now. Send me your resume! 🙂
However, during the bad times, you will NEED that degree and solid experience (not 4 months here, 3 months there). Most companies that *are* hiring will tighten their requirements and become dramatically more fussy. I’ve been there and that’s what happens. We would literally get 100 resumes a DAY for a position, back in 2003(ish). In order to screen that many resumes you have to be brutal. Not in the area? Stay away. No degree? Forget it. Need a Visa? Tough luck.
80% of the resumes I received back in 2003 when we were hiring were from people that got into software engineering in the last couple of years and only had a certificate. They were seen as chasing the money, not “real” developers, and sub-standard. Sounds harsh, but that’s how it was, and this is how it will be again when the next recession comes.
My advice? If you REALLY want to get into IT, wait. Save some money with your current job and get rid of that car payment. Wait until the recession, and then go back to school. Just as people are starting to hire again, you’ll be a fresh face (with intern experience hopefully) and you’ll get a job. Oh, and to stay in IT you HAVE to like it. Those that don’t like programming, will HATE it. It’s a love or hate thing.
Finally, there are more people employed today in IT than there were back at the height of the last bubble back in 1999/2000. Look at the statistics on the BLS if you don’t believe me. There was a significant dip, however, during the recent bad times. IMO, the future for IT is relatively bright but you need to figure out how to protect yourself.
