IT Employment

amcol;
You must be living in the dark ages? Since the late 90's the increase of on-line education has been so prolific that today even major universities offer complete degree programs completely on-line, furthermore, does the institution really determine the quality of education? No, it does not, this is determined by the accrediting agency as they are the analyzers of the curriculum and the professionals who determine if all major aspects of the learning process are being met, not the learning institution itself!
It is hiring managers such as yourself who need to seek employment in a different business, your closed minded mentality not only hurts the employer who your work for, but also very qualified candidates who you overlook simply because you don't what is going on in the real world. Get a clue amcol!
With this being said; michaelraymorris - hang your diploma with pride and let that proud determination glow from your face when you go in for interviews; because you know what? You are the best candidate for the position!

There are approximately 3,500 institutions of higher education in the United States. With the exception of about 50 of them, you'll get approximately the same level of education in all of them. In that respect I agree with you, that the institution itself typically is not a factor in the quality of the program.

However, that's not the issue we're talking about, which is online learning versus the classroom experience. Education is not simply about acquiring knowledge. A truly well rounded educational experience, one in which you grow emotionally as well as intellectually, requires a certain amount of human interaction. While it's possible to satisfactorily complete a certification program via distance learning due to its nature as a focused single topic curriculum, a degree program is more generalized and the interaction with professors as well as other students provides as much of the educational value as the program itself.

You also misunderstood my remarks concerning the University of Phoenix degree. I didn't mean the poster couldn't point to the degree with pride because it was from that institution, I meant the mere fact of having a degree irrespective of who awards it is not a sufficient guarantee of success in and of itself. Go back and read what I wrote without that same close minded attitude you're accusing me of and you'll see what I mean.

Oh, and before I forget...you read one post from me and one post from someone else, and that's enough for you to decide that I'm a close minded lousy manager who provides no value to my employer and is clueless about higher education, and that the other poster is the best candidate for whatever position he/she is going for. Wow. Wherever did you develop this insightful ESP? You should package it and sell it.

Really guys...Thanks for both the posts. I know that one of the things that drew me to the University of Phoenix was not only the flexible schedule, but the fact that 30% of each class grade is a team project. That means that with each class, I need to either lead or be an effective member of a team to accomplish a meaningful goal. In my managerial experience, I can see direct tie-ins to the corporate world.

I was also quite surprised to find that the curriculum was not narrowly focused on simply IT, but included Math, Science, English, and other "traditional" subjects as well. It has been quite an experience.

I did find it interesting that you also mentioned interacting with professors. If there is one thing that this program has driven home to me (and I've been seeing it in the corporate world as well), it's that you need always be crystal clear with specifications, and ALWAYS in writing. I sometimes feel that I'm getting more interaction from written communications in a class of 20, than I ever would trying to listen to lectures from someone with a thick accent in a room of 150.

I couldn't agree more that it is MUCH more about the skills one can bring to an organization, than about a pedigree....but there are quite a few close minded organizations out there. Sometimes its seems as if one needs the degree just to have the opportunity to present your capabilities.

Thanks for the feedback from both of you...really !!!