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The hardest thing that I've had to overcome in my career is the fact that I dropped out of college and do not have a degree. In addition to the personal shame and stigma I felt around being a 'dropout', it also brought along with it a raging case of imposter syndrome. The one benefit those feelings gave me was an almost obsessive drive to constantly improve my skills, which in many ways has proved to be an advantage in a competitive and rapidly changing industry.

After a decade of development, I feel like I've finally accepted that I'm more than qualified and capable of being in my position, and that I actually deserve the success that I've earned. I'm still mildly embarrassed about my lack of a degree, and I generally avoid bringing it up around my colleagues, but overall these feelings take a backseat to the confidence I've gained with each passing challenge and new role.

Comments
  • 3
    A few month ago I deleted all the schoolstuff, because it's irrelevant now. And man did that feel good.
    And you will do the same and will even feel better. ;)
  • 3
    How did you get into the field? I'm a student and all I find are postings requiring a degree and five years experience. For tier 1 help desk...
  • 7
    @Nosferatu most of the time they put that in the requirements, but they'll take you anyway...
  • 3
    Meh, degree is just a starting "bump up". Mostly in salary, sometimes also in knowledge.

    BUT, if your're highly self initiative you can still end up as knowledgeable as a degree person or even more if you happen to be more focused on your area of expertise.
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