His company, with its need for Perl and Java programmers, focuses on those skills, using a 15-minute phone interview to get a sense of whether a candidate knows his stuff. For the production staff at Hydrogen Media , an Internet solutions firm, it's much the same. What we look for is the skill set. That's not to say a degree is worthless. Far from it.
Individuals often mature in school, gaining focus when it comes to career goals.
And many companies looking for technology professionals still seek candidates with bachelor's degrees. Moreover, career advancement may be more difficult without a degree, especially when trying to make it into the ranks of project managers. Beyond those considerations, entering the job market without a degree means you'll have to gain skills and experience on your own, often through lots of reading, volunteer assignments, part-time work and internships. If you're in an area where tech employees are in high demand, like Silicon Valley or New York, you'll be in a better position to make this transition. You've got to hit things just right, as Legate acknowledges.