The small - medium company is where it's at (Score 1)

My 2 GP: I just graduated from UT Austin with an MIS degree and it DID help me (finally) get a great IT job. It's not that the skills I learned at college were all that fantastic but you gain a paper badge that, like it or not, makes a difference. I will also tell you that if you are trying to decide between an MIS or CS degree go for the MIS degree - the combination business and programming/IT skills are very attractive for many employers. I worked for a major coroporation for 6 months before finally giving them the finger and let me tell you that having an IT job in a large corporate setting with the economy in the pits will put you on a fast track to suicide. They know you don't have the luxury of quitting and finding another job in a week, and they will treat you as such. In my case, it was Dell that taught me that there really IS such a thing as an evil corporation that despises the human soul and relishes suffering above all else. Currently there is a HUGE demand for versatile IT proffesionals in small/medium sized businesses. You will find you can have great success getting careers of all kinds with with these companies if you proactively approach them an offer your services rather than just responding to adds in Monster.com and your local paper. Working for the small company has it's disadvantages just like any job but for me it's perfect. I make my own hours, am paid well (your results may vary here), and actually get to make a difference (*gasp*). ~Anyway~ The point: -Degree? Yes - it's essential. -Certifications? Meh - they didn't help me. Get your education up to snuff and then go sell yourself to employers.