We published an article about how one DBA goes about hiring new DBAs and in the discussion that followed there was something that caught my eye. There were a few comment talked about how college degrees don't necessarily mean anything.

I went to college, right out of high school, at 17, and graduated in 4 years, after switching schools midway and spending a semester in Europe basically goofing off. I did 3 semesters in computer science, earning good grades, before switching the economics and graduating. Along the way I worked some nights and weekends for 3 of those years to support myself and still enjoyed many parties at night where I recovered from rugby practices and matches.

I'm not saying that to brag, but to give you some background about how I got through college. I graduated with above a 3.4, and along the way I met and got to be friends with many people, some that graduated on time, some didn't, some excelled, some struggled, some took advantage of their opportunity and others of their parents' generosity.

College is like many other things in life. It's what you make of it and you get out of it what you want. My view of college is that it changes you and helps prepare you for life afterward. It does take some fortitude to complete a degree, though that strength is different for everyone. Getting up to make class and get through exams after nightly partying shows something about you. On one hand it shows you might enjoy your time off a bit much, but it also shows that you handled the partying and balanced that with completing your coursework.

When I interview someone, you get points for completing college. It's a long process and you can "float" through it, but I've seen many people that have quit early. Or that couldn't handle it. Or that couldn't complete the degree because they didn't know what to do. So it shows some ability to learn and follow through.

However... (Pause here) I know many of you are ready to hit "reply" and blast me for those statements. Hold off for a moment before you do; after that, I'm happy to listen to your disagreements.

I don't take off points for not completing college. Or for not going. Not everyone has the opportunity to attend college. Some go through the military. Kudos for you, thanks as a citizen (if you're a US veteran), and that definitely shows some fortitude if you didn't get tossed out. Some go to work and I think getting 4, 5, or 6 years of experience in a job, assuming it's not one involving burgers and french fries, you've gotten a degree in life. I could be wrong on the burgers and fries as I met a young lady at the BI conference who works for Sonic and knew a lot more than I about building systems for BI.

Even if you left college early, it may or may not be an issue. I'd be happy to hear why and unless you quit because it was too hard or you didn't feel like doing the work, it probably doesn't impact me hiring you. There are many reasons to leave college early. Bill Gates did, as did many other successful people.

Like everything else, college is a measure of a person. But it's only one small part of that person. Give it the weight it deserves: one experience in that person's life.

Steve Jones

Podcasts

Today's podcast features music from our own SQLServerCentral.com community. Wakamojo includes Adam Angelini, daytime DBA, on lead guitar. Give their other music a try if you like what's on the podcast. Or if you're in the Topeka, KS area, see if they're playing nearby.

• The College Experience - Audio, (MP3, )
• Video - Flash. A little something different, not quite the same editorial as what's written. Check it out and send some feedback.