Bachelor Degree
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- flickster
I have an Associates Degree in Visual Communications and have been thinking about going back to get my Bachelors Degree. I have 15 years of graphic design experience, and can't really afford to simply not work while going back to school. Problem is it seems that most programs I've looked at, you need to be full time to get into their degree program.
Has anyone here attained a Bachelor Degree through distance learning (online courses)? I was just curious as to where you went and if it was worth it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
- janne760
why?
- uan0
renew the skills?
- PonyBoy0
renew... ?
15 years in the field... i think he's... renewed... consistently...
- ninjasavant0
we've hired designers without any degrees that had 15+ years experience. A solid portfolio wins over a gold leafed piece of paper any day.
- I've never had any problem getting a job either... with just my associates and my portfolio. I think a portfolio and a true love for design are more important than a degree.flickster
- flickster0
No... I was talking to an old instructor about teaching and he said I should go back and get my bachelors. Also... I was graduating when web design was just starting. I can do the design, but can't code. I was originally just thinking about going back for web classes... but he suggested just going back and getting my Bachelors. In order to teach at the college level, I'd need at least a Bachelors.
- don't you need a master to teach classes.akrokdesign
- Most places will hire you in with a Bachelors and experience but will expect you to get a Masters. I've also been told most places will pay for your Masters and any classes you take while working towards your degree.flickster
- PonyBoy0
the only reason i could think to go get that degree is so you can then move on to your masters...
... cuz if you're 15 years in and have good work to show for yourself - making an associates into a bachelors isn't going to take you from Designer to Art Director - your portfolio will.
- Jaline0
Teaching: then yes, go back.
- CockDiesel0
Meh no one cares you can't code. That's what developers are for. You could teach yourself to code. I think that 15 years is rock solid. But, if it's for just personal accomplishment reasons then just go get that bach.
- dog_opus0
Yeah, figure out a way to get your B.A. if you want to teach – it's worth it. And as Ruffian pointed out above... uh, you gotta work on that logotype. Stat.
- Ranger0
I knew a guy who was about 40, had 20 years experience, was running his own company but wanted to get an M.A. in branding. He did it part time, 1 day a week. Kept his other work going. Everyone agreed it would be a waste of time doing the B.A to M.A. route so he was allowed to go straight for the M.A. Seemed to go well for him, he made a shit load of contacts, made his company stronger.
Can you not try and do that? If you've got 15 years experience you might get a bit bored on a 3-4 year course.
- Depends on what he's going back for. If it's something he already knows a lot about, then he could try this.Jaline
- That's what I was thinking... I thought maybe they might give credit for "life/design experience". I'm hoping to talk to a few different university chairs after the first of the year. I figure it's worth a shot. Hopefully a portfolio of work, a resume of years experience might help help.flickster
- They do this in college. They will advance you if you have "real world" experience. Worth a try.Jaline
- fooler20
flickster, I'm in the same boat. over ten years experience with only an Associate Degree. I've thought the same thing but work, wife, house and life have gotten in the way. I seem to be pretty successful at the moment but if I get laid off in this economic down turn I'm heading Back to School like Rodney Dangerfield.
- That's one advantage to having a B.A. it may be easier to get hired elsewhere until you can get back into things.Jaline
- Seems to me that most places, around here anyway, are laying off the art director level. Those with experience... keeping the younger designers they aren't having to pay as much. It also seems that places that are hiring are looking for those that can do both web and print, as opposed to just print designers.flickster
- MarketMaker0
Actually, the importance of a formal education cannot be overstated.
Trust me.
- Trust a non-entity dullard who hides behind the facade of a despicable aspiration?
I think not.Nairn - I've accomplished most of my aspirations. I've also experienced most of the corporate environment. Education is important.MarketMaker
- Education is important.MarketMaker
- Education is important, I won't deny that - but education isn't a red-bricked building and a 5-figure annual expenditure.Nairn
- Education can be self-initiated & not have to cost you six figures.THA
- Trust a non-entity dullard who hides behind the facade of a despicable aspiration?
- Nairn0
When you're young and fresh out of school, university is a worthwhile exercise - you get to meet new people, useful contacts and are cradled into professionalism with a healthy safety net underneath.
Once you've been out in the field for a few years, it's nigh on pointless.
- Unless, of course, you're going for the kind of job that needs a wax-sealed piece of paper. Design that ain't though.Nairn
- A Bachelor's is a prerequisite on Wall St. for even landing an interview.MarketMaker
- You're incredibly boring, whoever you are.Nairn
- I think when you are in college and right out of high school, it's more about just getting through the classes (and drinking a lot, of course). I think being older, I'd probably get more out of it, because I'm willing to put more into it than I would have when I was younger. Does that make sense?flickster
- And besides, there are plenty of people in The City who don't have degrees, so stop talking out of your arse.Nairn
- Do you really think they are the ones working on Wall Street?MarketMaker
- It's not about pieces of paper, but who you know - 'you of all people' (virtual or otherwise) should know that.Nairn
- Wall St. is a meritocracy.MarketMaker
- Uh huh. OK. Maybe partly.
You probably know as little/much as I do about the subject though, so let's shut up.Nairn - You do learn things in school that you would never have thought of otherwise. It is one way of showing you can followJaline
- certain guidelines, etc.Jaline
- But, Jaline - as I hope you'll discover over the next few years - you'll learn a helluva lot more out there IRL.Nairn
- Of course. But for teaching, you need a degree. Simple. It makes sense too.Jaline
- We'll never agree about this matter, trust me. I just believe that having some kind of formal learning can help out.Jaline
- boobs0
That's what Ed Fella did. He had about 20 years experience in the field, but no degrees. He went back to school. Got his BA, then his Masters, and became a full-time teacher at CalArts.
So, that is a career path that some have taken.
- Yeah, well - that path kinda makes sense if you're going in to academia and have no prior experience.Nairn