I'm one of that 47%. I have an Associate's from a private junior college, a
mostly forgotten thing as there were only 52 junior colleges in the US in the
mid-1990s and at least two have since made the jump to four years. I also have
some college beyond that, spread across three other colleges and universities
and mostly part time while employed by the universities. Unfortunately, that
includes transferring between schools and having a large number of credits not
accepted each time. For example, I had completed over 100 credit hours across
three private schools but UNC only accepted 54. For clarity, I use the words
"college" and "university" interchangeably as they lack much distinction in the
US.
Over the years I missed out on some jobs due to it. The oddest one was a three
month, non-renewable contact position with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in
the 1990s which was largely pulling cable and setting up Netware servers for
automating the state courts. However, I have done well and today am senior
SysAdmin of one of the largest privately owned software firms. Even so, I still
wouldn't suggest that path as a lot of luck was a major factor, as was having a
family connection in the field: my mother, who retired a few years ago after
being CTO of one of the 20 largest public school systems in the US. I also have
a balance of tech and soft skills that tends to be considered unusual in the
field.
I have found that courses like anthropology, philosophy and theology (when I
was employed by a Jesuit university) helped me by teaching me to think in
additional ways. This is particularly valuable in interpersonal relationships,
such as with coworkers and customer personnel. I am, though, the sort of person
who will take a 400 level course to fulfill a core requirement because I find
the topic fascinating (Anthropology 440, "Gender and Culture at UNC-Chapel
Hill) so make of that what you will.
I do want to at least get a BS, in no small part because I can see the
possibility of needing to have the degree to progress. I had my heart set on
one day being in the Tarpit at Kenan Stadium wearing my Carolina Blue gown but
practical matters in my life now mean it's likely to be NC State University,
adding one more to my list. Specifically, I now reside a short walk from that
campus and I expect that my current transportation situation of having only a
motorcycle will last for several years.
Regards,
Danielle
--
Danielle White - [email protected]
http://BikerChicksAdventures.com/
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