How Important is An IT Degree

[(HRl5]

This is a question for anyone who works in IT for a living...
How important is a degree really?
Currently, I'm going to school online (have been for 9 months and have 8 months to go) and working towards my AS dgree in IT. More and more, it feels like I'm wasting my time and money on school when I could be learning this stuff on my own and for free. I am considering dropping out and going after several certifications instead.
I would like to hear from anyone who works in IT- programmers, web designers, Sys Admins, tech support or consulting about what credentials they have and what is it that employers REALLY look for when hiring.
Thanks.

[sillyxone]

look on Slashdot for more insightful opinions, this kind of question has been asked several times there.

Computer Science or InfoTech?
http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/07/15/133237

Online vs. Traditional Degrees?
http://ask.slashdot.org/askslashdot/05/11/04/2316238.shtml?tid=146&tid=4

[(HRl5]

Thanks. I'll have a look!

[(HRl5]

I checked out the links but they didn't really answer my question.

[pseudo-random]

Bearing in mind I don't have one but I spend most of my days helping people with them I'd say not very. Any employer worth his weight values experience over qualifications.
I was lucky and got into a career where I gained priceless experience from the bottom up which now I wouldn't trade for all the degrees in the world.
However, Always aim high. Regardless of what you choose.

[(HRl5]

Bearing in mind I don't have one but I spend most of my days helping people with them I'd say not very. Any employer worth his weight values experience over qualifications.
I was lucky and got into a career where I gained priceless experience from the bottom up which now I wouldn't trade for all the degrees in the world.
However, Always aim high. Regardless of what you choose.

Thanks. I just think that I'll at least learn more by getting the certs. School hasn't taught me anything that I don't already know.

[fenT1]

put yourself in a recruiters shoes, does a diploma means more than working experience? i am currently coursing through a CS BS, constantly i find myself and my classmates asking that question, on an interview you just gotta prove you know your stuff and the job is yours, but in many places a diploma is required. recently a got a job in a Major Corporation in a position (not computer science related) that required diploma but i proved through experience that i could get the job done!

having diploma is up to you, personally computer science degree i mean come on! i just like the challenge.

[Plarnigate]

When a larger company goes through rounds of layoffs, people without degrees are usually the first to go.

[fenT1]

When a larger company goes through rounds of layoffs, people without degrees are usually the first to go.

ahem, have you ever worked for one? when they lay people off, the cut the new ones, and the one's with big boy salary. but i guess we got off the point of the thread.

[PrivateVoid]

I have a degree in Political Science.

I worked in Management for 9 years before getting in to IT at the tail end of the 1990s. I have absolutely no IT certifications or degrees.

Yes, I was able to get and keep a job in IT... but if I wanted to switch companies I have found that not having a CS or some sort of IT degree is a detractor. I am considering getting a Masters in some IT arena... but have not decided to pursue it quite yet.

[tamoneya]

while I am still working on my degree from what I have seen from summer internships and such is this: A degree gets you in the door and gets your resume read. Then its up to you.

[J.T.]

I am currently working on my degree in computer network systems. Like Tamoneya said, it gets you in the door. But in reality, soft skills matter more than hard skills these days. You need to be friendly and helpful. You also must be a good communicator. You need to be able to explain things to the end user, which can be difficult.

[tuxxy]

Some of the good jobs require a degree before you can even apply

[mellowd]

I've been working in IT for many years and hold no degree. I'd like to get one eventually, but it's not required.

Getting your hands dirty is the most important thing