I have a number of friends in various pockets of the IT industry who do not have four-year degrees.
Of those, the ones that are > 40 wish they had the degree. I suspect they're hitting the upper bound of the career ladder for non-grads at the majority of the corporations in the U.S.
I can't predict the future, so I'm not sure if this limitation will still exist when you're > 40. It's just a factor to consider.
If you can make a comfortable living now, and you have the right self-discipline and temperament, you might consider working and doing school part-time. A Bachelor's will take much longer than four years, but it is doable.
Also, consider that you'll probably be working into your 60s. Why the big hurry to start full-time work at 18?
Just some random things to think about.
Edited to add: When I was younger, my dad told me to do the things now that leave you the most opportunities later. Getting a four-year degree would fall into that category, I think.
Comments
I have a number of friends in various pockets of the IT industry who do not have four-year degrees.
Of those, the ones that are > 40 wish they had the degree. I suspect they're hitting the upper bound of the career ladder for non-grads at the majority of the corporations in the U.S.
I can't predict the future, so I'm not sure if this limitation will still exist when you're > 40. It's just a factor to consider.
If you can make a comfortable living now, and you have the right self-discipline and temperament, you might consider working and doing school part-time. A Bachelor's will take much longer than four years, but it is doable.
Also, consider that you'll probably be working into your 60s. Why the big hurry to start full-time work at 18?
Just some random things to think about.
Edited to add: When I was younger, my dad told me to do the things now that leave you the most opportunities later. Getting a four-year degree would fall into that category, I think.