programming jobs without degree

[nuzzle]

Nobody said anything different. What I said based on 28 years in the business, if I have a need and I have two candidates, one with a degree and no experience, and one with no degree and several years of relevant experience, I'd pick the guy with the experience. I can also see Max's point of view that once you've established yourself, the degree also becomes less important. Starting out a degree will open doors, and in some bigger companies it's a requirement and it certainly isn't going to hurt you.

Personally, I got my first programming job in 1983. I didn't get my bachelor's degree until 1997, so I had a good 14 year run without a degree. I got my BS just as a matter of pride, then went on and got a MS and an MBA just to do it. So I'm speaking as somebody who's had a good career with no degree and well degreed, and no insecurities either way.

Your premise that people without a degree use that as an excuse to justify insecurities is not only rude, it's not accurate.

Yet another "look at me" defensive post. No I don't know if you have been driven by insecurity and it doesn't matter, that's my point. The statistical outcome matters, not the individual.

To any young person. You don't have to listen to pompous deliberations as to whether someone would prefer to employ a graduate or a non-graduate under various scenarios. And you don't have to listen to boring life-stories about how someone fared so well or so bad with or without a degree. It's irrelevant.

The only thing you need to know is that statistically a degree will firmly turn the Rota Fortunae in your favour. So go get a degree if you have the chance.