Humorously while dropping out of school was ok for Sima, it apparently is not for folks wanting to apply for openings currently listed on the SPI website. Lesson learned?
Good follow up! I didn't think to look at the SPI web site to see if a degree was required. While I didn't drop out of high school, I did drop out of college over 20 years ago and today I also make very good money. But presenting one's credentials is much easier when you have a degree.
Well, That's right....All the jobs are currently available in other countries.... CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR MORE INFO. http://www.killsometime.com/humor/humor.asp?humor=Tech-Support
Also note that Sima is surrounded by a President/CEO, Sales VP, Marketing VP, etc. each of whom have significant experience. I'm sure that a guy in his early 20's needs some serious mentoring, no matter how mature he may be. I doubt that he'd be pulling down that "6-figure" salary without having people around him that actually know how to run a successful business while he tackles the technology vision. I'm in a similar space as JoAnnP38 - the late 80's and early 90's was a time where if you had some talent, bathed on a (somewhat) regular basis and understood technology well you were rarely if ever unemployed in IT. As anything matures, more rules, processes and higher entry barriers raise the bar for anyone wanting to get into the field... Cheers, Mark
"I'm in a similar space as JoAnnP38 - the late 80's and early 90's was a time where if you had some talent, bathed on a (somewhat) regular basis and understood technology well you were rarely if ever unemployed in IT. As anything matures, more rules, processes and higher entry barriers raise the bar for anyone wanting to get into the field..." Maybe I'm just repeating what you say in a different way, but as I see it, IT is becoming a victim of its own success. I remember when anybody who could design a web page was a precious commodity who was the constant target of corporate recruiters and headhunters. Now, thanks to intuitive software, just about anybody who can type can put together a nice website in no time. You're right about the bar being raised higher. Years ago, corporate computer specialists spent an inordinate amount of time troubleshooting software problems for non-IT colleagues. Do you remember the "Saturday Night Live" skits about the corporate IT guy? It really hit home back then. He was a god who flaunted his expertise. But today, about the only people who have problems with all but the most sophisticated programs are pretty much klutzes. Lay people are more comfortable with computers. Through experience and more user-friendly software, crashes and hangups are more and more infrequent. Thus, IT people are being diverted to more and more sophisticated projects requiring more and more education/experience. It's getting to be tough sledding out there, and the standards for IT are indeed being raised higher and higher.
I agree - the web designer of yesterday has been replaced by automated templates or a guy offshore making 1/10th the money. Being a programmer, designer, etc. isn't enough now - you need to add true value to the process, either by consulting with the customer or have industry-specific knowledge that isn't commonly available. While there will still be examples of people who drop out and found their own software company, the vast majority of tech dropouts will find it tough going.
I read that article it was on CNN with his picture http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/12/14/skipping.college.ap/ I can relate in someway to this person. I started working IT around the age of 19 in 1997. Boy, then it was you knew a little about computers, you could land at job paying big $$. The field was hot then. It was alot of people my age giving up school (college & high school) to jump into the IT field. Most people saying to me why the heck are you going to college for it is a waste of time & money. Thinking about the future, I ignore those comments & continue my pursuing my college education while working in the IT field full-time. Yes, it had it downside, I had to turn down some good dang IT jobs because it conflicted with my education & attending school. So I had to stick with IT positions that would fit around my school schedule, but those other positions are still out there for me and on top of that I will have my BS degree in about 2 months. I am 26 now and with my 6 1/2 years of job experience & degree. It will put me one step ahead for the majority of people in IT who do not have theirs. So I am glad I hung in there. With the economy & IT job market today, I would not recommend anyone to drop out of high school to go in IT right now. It would not be the best decision. Your odds of getting into the IT will be very hard with all the factors of previous IT people with experience, who are currently still out of work and seeking jobs again within IT. It maybe possible to break in somehow with small company companies(Mom & Pop shops). Also most Fortune 500 / 100 big companies will even consider hiring you without a college degree, but you have to think about these factors and most people don't. A least this guy who did drop out of HS was smart enough to go back and get his GED. If not & he was to loose that 6 figure job right now. He would be in hella of trouble with getting another job without a HS diploma in this economy right now. If I was him, I would be trying to get some higher education with that 6 figure salary he makes but he figures he does not need it and its his choice. I have seen people around my age & younger in IT w/o degrees, who become cozy in their positions they have currently and are not trying to better them self for the unexpected and this is never good in the IT field. I have been layed off 2 times in the last 2 years in IT, but luckily I have been able to pickup employment with good paying companies very easily & quickly despite of the economy situation right now. It makes me wonder how many people are turning away my resume because I have no college degree despite of the experience I have. At one point, I worked in over there in Atlanta for the past 4 years and there is alot of corporate company offices over there that will past over your resume w/o higher education. I wonder what his company requires for qualifications to hire you for any IT positions there with today's economy
