I am in about the same position as you.

I started out in IT in the late 80's doing Cobol programming (back then it
 as called data processing).  Being an 18 year old with no degree it was
hard to get another job in IT (Cobol was on its way out) when that job
ended.

If I had been from a family of better means I would have gone directly to
college, but since I had to pay my own way (while working full time) I
spent the next 10 years bouncing from one menial job to another while
going to school when I could afford it.  Im a geek at heart so I learned a
vast amount outside of college.

I did consulting work on the side for friends of friends/etc which often
paid enough for a class or two in school, but it was always a hit or miss
proposition.  Now it's 10 years, with nothing to show for it except for
about 80 credit hours split between Electronic Engineering and CIS.

In 98 a friend helped me get into a think tank startup company and I
worked there until they ran out of cash last year.  I saw that the bubble
might burst ahead of time my wife and I have been living way below our
means for several years (thank god!).  Since then I've had one 4 month
contract job doing Oracle Database Administration/programming work.  Its
been a rough job market!

My immediate goals are to get Oracle Certified.
I am already taking classes again and am considering finishing at
University of Phoenix.  Is University of Phoenix worth going to?  I know
its like 400/credit hour, that seems really steep.  But at this rate I
really want to get a degree and don't want to waste any more time getting
there.

One thing I have noticed in the last 10 years is the constant tuition hikes..
other than community college (you can only go so far there) where can you
get the most bang for your buck?

JD Austin

<quote who="Raymond Cantwell">
> Hey all,
> Now i wanna start this with a disclaimer. I am not asking anyone to take
>  me under thier wing or gimme a chance with them at thier job or even
> find me a job. With that said i just need a little guidance as to which
> route to take in my career. Right now i know that any chance in IT is a
> ways off, maybe two or three years. I just dont know if i should try
> going for a degree or if i should go for certs or both. Sorry for the
> rambling message just feeling alittle confused. Any advice will be
> welcomed. Thank you all,
> Ray
>
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