Can I get into IT?

QA Is there a demand for non-IT degreed professionals, who do have specialized experience and skills to lend, at high-tech organizations?

--T. Mango, Washington, D.C.

"High-tech organizations seem to prefer candidates with [related] degrees," says Sophia Robinson, a corporate recruiter for US Interactive, an e-commerce/business solutions company based in New York City. "But because the current market is so competitive and these firms are so desperate for talent, they are likely to care less about a degree than skills and experience."

In other words, you don't have to specialize in Java development or C++ programming to get your foot in the door. If you are seeking a non-technical position (see "IT Jobs for Non-IT People," September 2000) at such a high-tech firm, you will likely have a greater amount of flexibility with regard to degree requirements.

Of course, employment requirements at dotcoms and other high-tech companies vary from firm to firm. For highly technical positions, such as computer engineers and systems analysts, some formal training, whether it be a certification from a two-year school or a degree at the graduate level, is standard. Yet, there is room for non-technical professionals at high-tech companies. You just have to find out where the opportunities are.

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