Work Experience vs Degree
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- Stitchy_Lizard
Last year I graduated from The Art Institute of Toronto. I received an advanced diploma (2 years) in graphic design. Not a lot of art schools in canada offer bachelors in design, so i figured I would be fine here.
I think that in a few years I will be headed back to the states since my work visa will be expiring in 2011. I am thinking about the LA/San Fran area.
My question is... Is it better to go back to school and get a bachelors degree, or as long as my work is good, will I be fine? I am not sure how critical agencies/studios are regarding degrees.
- mg33-1
*opens floodgates, stands back...
- monospaced0
"as long as my work is good, will I be fine?"
we'll be the judge of that
- Meeklo0
You need to think of it as, "there is no vs" on the subject of experience & degree.
- plash0
i find the people who don't have a degree are the people with the issues / sensitivity.
- Stitchy_Lizard0
My main question is... How critical are employers in regards to degrees in the states? I talked to a division of my school in the states and they mentioned that I might not get a fair shot at job since I didnt have a degree.
- I just want to prepare myself for when I move back home.Stitchy_Lizard
- if you really want to prepare, then you have your answer :)Meeklo
- johnnyklebitz0
You have a diploma? You can work in my production department. You want to work in the big people's offices you need at least a Bachelors.
- Stitchy_Lizard0
A couple of classmates landed gigs in big international agencies in toronto. If that were to happen to myself... would that work experience be greater than not having the degree when it comes to hiring?
- They have the same advanced diplomas as I doStitchy_Lizard
- redant0
If you have a great portfolio and are professional you will be ok. It may be a little more of a challenge, because alot of jobs ask for someone with a degree, but I think if you have experience they may be able to overlook it.
- fyoucher10
Degree don't mean sheeet if you can't deliver good stuff. Actual work experience and the work you do matters most. I went to the Art Institute of Philly, got a two year degree...same shit as you. No one has EVER asked about what degree I have, they want to see my work.
- why did you opt for 2 years instead of 4? I didnt have the option in toronto, but I would have gone for 4 if I had the opportunity.Stitchy_Lizard
- This was a looong time ago, over 10 years ago now, they didn't offer a 4 yr program then.fyoucher1
- twokids0
experience ------ much more important that education. you can have a phD in design, but if you are not a good designer or good with the tools, forget it. if you want to be a lawyer or a doctor, you need a degree. for design.....it matters not at all....
- lowimpakt0
most of the best (graphic) designers I know didn't syudy graphic design or at least left early.
- nicole_marie0
Yes if you have great work you may have a chance but not many places even look at candidates without a degree. But you may be able to get in somewhere at a lower position prove yourself then climb the ladder. I have had a few art directors, senior graphic designers i worked with in the past that were amazing at what they did with little education, but they had to be better then those around them to get to where they were.
- Meeklo0
why can't you opt for for both?
- I could, but finances play a role at the moment.Stitchy_Lizard
- BattleAxe0
my experience working for a company of over 10k people ,
Diplomas , Associate degrees get you in the door ;
higher education, lets you move up to higher paying jobs
I know people that have had the same title for over 20 years and could not move up cause they had no Bachelors ,
in the end if you have the time , it will be worth it
- +100. Degrees and educational background are essential to career progression.mg33
- makes sense. get my foot in the door then go back to school perhaps?Stitchy_Lizard
- that's the spiritBattleAxe
- although it is hard going back once you have 40+ hour work loadsBattleAxe
- twokids0
have to agree with BattleAxe above, in this regard. In larger companies if you want to get into management, a degree may be important. IF that is your goal...but I still say that for design jobs in general, experience and portfolio trump education.
- GeorgesII0
I'll go with work experience,
lots of great students out there, but in time like we're in right now, experience is a lot more valuable,
except if you're a douche and hire interns to not pay them
- Meeklo0
- Why can't you opt for both?
-I could, but finances play a role at the moment. – Stitchy_Lizard-----------------------------
So you already made up your mind before opening this thread then?- I would prefer not to go at the moment, but if it seems like I have to I will as soon as I can.Stitchy_Lizard
- Stitchy_Lizard0
Its funny I have been in school long enough to get a bachelors. I went to Saint Paul College (started in Computer Networking then switched to graphic design) 1 year computer networking+2 years design. then I went to the art institute of Toronto for a better education and spent 2 years in graphic design.
If only I knew what I wanted to do right after high school....
- mg330
I always, always make the case for an education because of everything else you learn other than what you're focusing on. There are a great number of people out there lacking in professional business skills and personal interaction with others in a business because they went from high school to no school to learning their skills on their own, maybe managing some freelance clients on their own, and never had a larger set of responsibilities like college.
As was said above, a degree, and the knowledge that comes with it is going to go a long way in helping a career progress up the ranks if that's your goal. You might be a great designer now, but are you going to do that forever? Designing other people's work? Or are you going to put yourself in a position to evolve as your skills, portfolio, and career goals evolve?
- Good point. yeah, it's better to be safe than sorry.tkmeister
- tkmeister0
In the last 4-6yrs going through different jobs, freelance gigs at many major companies, nobody asked me about where i went to school or what I studied.
I know someone with a high school degree and yet he is a GCD at a major international company.- wow, i would like to meet him!Stitchy_Lizard
- +1GeorgesII
- Luck exists on all areas of life, poker, war, career, love, etc.mg33
- suri cruise won't ever need to go to acting school and she will get her first mayor studio film before she is 10 years oldMeeklo
- yes. i agree. not everyone is like that and you have to understand talent alone won't get you anywhere.tkmeister