Comment Re:Enjoy the big break (Score 1) 218
It depends on the company, honestly.
I do not have a degree, but thankfully my break came from an industry where that is essentially a check to get through the door. Once you're through the door, they don't really look for it much anymore.
I had to take a crap help desk job, while working side projects that I could pitch to my management. Thankfully I had management that was willing to sit down and listen to me, and understand the value that what I could do would add to different positions. From there it's been a matter of gathering more skills and certifications to continue advancement, and I work for who is potentially the greatest manager I've ever had the pleasure to even interact with.
Didn't have much of an opportunity to go to college (life events at the time I graduated high school seriously complicated my ability to do much of anything) and I've certainly built up my career the hard way. If you can land a career without the massive amount of debt associated with getting a degree, it's a great thing going into later life (married, 2 kids, own house and cars, etc).
Interestingly enough, I also live in West Virginia. Not the same area of the state or company involved, just had to smile a bit when I read that bit.