| For what it's worth, here's how I now see it / it went for me. I did the traditional education - college, University. But I was a young 18 and the three years I spent at University were really good to 'grow up'. I'm sure I could have (eventually?!) managed in the real world, but I spent three years finding out a bit more about myself, growing up, playing in bands, drinking, meeting girls, learning to take care of myself - etc. That said, the CS degree I have hasn't really helped my career since that point except to open early / initial doors. I'm sure some foundations have probably helped with my work since then, but for the most part, everything since has been self taught / work experience. So at that point, for me, the formal education was worthwhile to 'get me in'. Jump forward nearly 15 years - (and like me) lots of my friends work for companies that do stuff on or with the Internet. Most of these guys never went to University and just started working at 18. (I dread to think how irrelevant some of the stuff you'd learn in year one of a three year 'Internet' degree would be by the time you looked for a job, BUT I guess the qualification would probably still open some doors for you.) For them it was a case of moving to where the action is, showing you're prepared to learn and/or hustle, or have some personal work/freelance work to show to someone. And being confident. Lots of smiles and lots of confidence (which is totally fake-able). Many smaller companies will happily take a chance on you if you're hungry and they can pay you a basic wage. From that point, it's pretty easy - just work hard. Provided you've held down a job (which isn't too tough if you're not an unpleasant person), by your late 20s, nobody gives a monkeys as to your education - all they see is you're capable of remaining employed, can do a job and have experience. So much so, I know many people (in their late 20s and early 30s) who no longer even bother putting 'education' on their CV. Long and short, don't take your education too seriously. Keep doing your stuff on the side - and when and if you're ready for 'real life' work, be nice, have some confidence and hustle like crazy. And to make it easier still, up sticks and move to where the action is. Good luck, you'll be fine. |