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This is a fantastic point I never considered. I worked with a kid in IT who actually studied music, and never really thought too much about it. I may pursue IT, despite studying Electical and Computer Engineering. I find IT fun and challenging, while also seemingly easy. I guess work is fun when you love what you do!

As a hiring manager in IT, it doesn't matter to me when someone graduates or even if they've graduated. I started consulting in IT while I was still working on my degree... in fine art.

Autodidacts do well in IT.
;)
 
I graduated in 4.5 years with an electrical engineering degree. I had no problems finding a job in 2004. I currently recruit new college grad engineers. I only start to ask questions if the student takes 5.5 years or more to graduate.
 
As a hiring manager in IT, it doesn't matter to me when someone graduates or even if they've graduated. I started consulting in IT while I was still working on my degree... in fine art.

Autodidacts do well in IT.
;)

I graduated in 4.5 years with an electrical engineering degree. I had no problems finding a job in 2004. I currently recruit new college grad engineers. I only start to ask questions if the student takes 5.5 years or more to graduate.

I can honestly say these are the most comforting responses I've heard so far. Thanks guys!
 
I would certainly consider hiring someone who graduated late. The fact that it took them more than four years to get a four year degree wouldn't bother me at all. Maybe they switched majors or had to take some time off during college for some personal reasons. I'd be a lot more interested to see what kind of relevant work experience they had and how that would benefit them in the position that they were applying for. I'd much rather have someone working for me who made it through college in a little over four years with a higher GPA, than some kid who got C's and D's all throughout college because he / she didn't care enough to get A's and B's.

I got a two year degree in about three and a half years (GF had a baby @ 19, and I was 19 too, so that kinda put a hiatus on my school for a while), but no one really mentions that when I go into an interview. I still don't have a four year degree, but am eventually planning on going back. I am extremely happy with the job that I have now, so applying for a new job is not in my immediate future, at least I hope it's not. Even if I did have to apply for a new job, I'd be comfortable going into an interview with the hiring manager(s) and explaining that while I don't have a four year degree like some of the other candidates who might apply for that same position, I have quite a bit of relevant work experience in the IT field, which, while it's not a four year degree, it is still relevant experience. I'd almost rather hire someone with a two year degree and some work experience, than some kid who just graduated with a four year degree and had never held a job in their life. Education isn't everything, especially if the candidate doesn't have experience. Just depends on the hiring manager I guess.
 
In the real world, experience always trumps all. Just because you can pass a test, does not mean you are capable with doing the job in the real world at all. But having experience on one hand, can prove (obviously) that you know how to do the job...which in the end, is what really matters :)
 
A couple years back we had an incident where it was discovered that one of our employees had falsified virtually all of his credentials — right down to convincing forgeries on official letterhead.

It didn't happen while I was a hiring manager, but needless to say whenever I want to hire someone, I always do the leg work, including calling all colleges or universities or certification bodies and checking references. In all the time I've been doing that, I've not once inquired about length of study, and I can't say that I've ever done the mental math to determine it based on the start and finish date listed on the CV. To be fair, by the time I get the resumes they've already been vetted over the phone by someone else, so I'm mostly just dotting the is and crossing the ts before a formal interview.
 
With the cost of education these days, and the way people put off things, the 4 in 5 plan is popular. (4 years in 5). Makes no difference to an employer. And, if you worked part-time during college, that is usually to your advantage as you have developed work habits.
 
As long as you graduate thats all employers care about. It could take 10 years just get the piece of paper.
 
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