How important is the prestige of my Undergraduate University?« Back to Questions List

In general, it’s not extremely important. Sure, you’ll meet some managers who are “degree snobs” but I consider them an exception, not a rule. Basically, in IT, if you can do it and do it well, it doesn’t matter if you earned your degree at Harvard or your parent’s basement. So should you get a degree from DeVry or ITT Tech? Again, most managers understand that skills, not schools, are what make a great IT professional. But I’ll be honest, DeVry and ITT Tech graduates tend to get the most flack when it comes to degree judgment. My personal opinion? These institutions offer amazing opportunities to learn the basic understanding and knowledge of computers. It’s just that many managers don’t respect or recognize them as accredited sources of education. So. If you’re going to get your degree at one of these places, I suggest finding a part-time job — related to your field of interest, of course — while you’re busy stuffing that brain of yours with IT prowess. Having this job while you’re taking classes illustrates relevance to your education and shows you have the ability and initiative to apply what you’re learning to a workplace situation.