Re: Outsourcing and your career
You are right. First, having the degree is big. Plenty of companies require a degree in the IT field, to work for them. It isn't as simple as getting some certs., learning on your own, and applying for a job. The degree, plus the certs., opens up many more opportunities, and income potential. IT isn't simply running around fixing someone's broken printer, or keyboard.
There are also many other jobs that require/prefer IT degrees, that don't require any kind of certs. Business analysts, database analysts, network engineers, etc., make very good money. My aunt is a database analyst and makes six figures. Those jobs start, in many cases, in the $60-$70K+ range, and go up. I was talking to the IT guy at the airport I work at. He is just out of school, and makes about $60K. Those jobs, one cannot get, by just teaching themselves, and getting a few certs. They require the degree.
Anyways .. I'm not sure why I am going off about IT. I guess I've just begun to question whether or not the whole flying thing is really what I want to do, or whether there are better opportunities out there, that will allow me to enjoy flying, for fun. Coming upon threads like this, really make me question that. I've talked to quite a few people, and have been told that if it is something I want to do, than do it. I guess I am questioning whether I really, WANT to do it. Even as a young, 20-something, I don't like the idea of being away from home all of the time, missing holidays, and family events, etc., not to mention the endless job instability to worry about.