But all computer jobs are not created equal. And that means you don't need a degree in computer science to take advantage of the high-tech boom. For many high-tech jobs, you do need the proper paperwork, says University of Minnesota Assistant Professor Mats Heimdahl . One of those fields is Web development. If you're young and interested in some of these things, going back to college and getting a degree is probably a good idea.
Skilled people doing that are hard to come by.
Joanne DeMay, Associate Director of Continuing Education at Linfield College, adds that certificates serve another purpose. And that's really why they're there. Often, it's really hard to get yourself involved in a program that's going to take you seven, eight or nine years. And even a certificate's not always necessary. Recently-graduated high school students can reap benefits from just a few courses, says Kathy Schwalbe , MIS area coordinator for Augsburg College.