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<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Adam,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Well -
you've had a number of view points from a number of people.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>It is
true to say that many people have trouble finding jobs on graduation.
</FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>It is also true to say that many school-leavers have trouble finding
jobs.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2>It is statistically true that <SPAN class=065211715-06012003>two
people with the same school qualifications, one of whom goes on to University,
one of whom goes straight out to work, will end up with the one with
more experience earning more through his early to mid 20s. It is also
statistically true that in their early 30s, the graduates will earn more than
the non-graduate.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN
class=065211715-06012003></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN class=065211715-06012003>Note that this is a statistical argument,
and we can all think of
counter-examples.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN class=065211715-06012003></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=065211715-06012003></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN class=065211715-06012003>There is a tendancy among non-graduates to
blame this on "nepotism" and "the old-boy network", and generally anything other
than "well, actually, I wasn't good enough."
</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT
face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN class=065211715-06012003>There
is a tendancy among recruiters to take into account evidence of skills acquired
as well as "experience", and having a piece of paper from a recognised authority
to certify this will do well.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN
class=065211715-06012003></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN class=065211715-06012003>Much hinges on what you want to do
long-term. Would you be happy with a salary say double the national average
(national average is low 20s, so double is, say, £45k , and a super-techy job
that you enjoy? If so, then by all means go straight out to work. If your
aspirations are higher, then, statisically, a degree will help you get to the
upper levels of the greasy pole. If will not be SUFFICIENT, but it will be a
major assistance.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN
class=065211715-06012003></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN class=065211715-06012003>If you are absoutely certain of what you
want to do, and find the right job, then by all means go for it. However, if you
are still undecided, then going to University for 3/4 years buys you thinking
time, and, unless you drop out (don't!) something that will always have some
value. If, however, you program for three years, then decide you ACTUALLY want
to be an accountant, then don't expect your experience to count for anything.
Your degree in IT, on the other hand, WILL count for
something.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN
class=065211715-06012003></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN class=065211715-06012003>A lot, in my view, hinges on what kind of
degree you're going to get. If you are predicted straight As, 1s at S-level, and
your teachers expect you to go to study IT at Oxford, Cambridge, Durham,
Bristol, Imperial or Warwick, then go. If you are predicted Cs and Ds, and are
likely to go to a former Polytechnic, then do not expect any future employer to
be overly impressed by those
credentials.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN
class=065211715-06012003></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN class=065211715-06012003>An Open University degree IS very
impressive, but much harder to actually acheive than a full-time one. (Trust me,
I speak with experience of both.)</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN
class=065211715-06012003></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN class=065211715-06012003>I would, however, always count a degree as
more impressive than an MCSE...</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN
class=065211715-06012003></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2><SPAN
class=065211715-06012003>Regards,</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV><SPAN
class=065211715-06012003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=065211715-06012003>
<DIV><BR>Mark Harrison</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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