The information technology industry offers a vast number of job opportunities. However, the question arises: Is higher education really needed in the IT field? In this article, we will look at how important a diploma in IT is, what advantages it can bring, and what alternative ways are available for those who have decided to start a career without higher education.
A diploma is not only a “crust”
A diploma of qualification in the IT field confirms that a person has certain knowledge, skills and competencies in this field. In addition to having an education, a diploma can also confirm the following important aspects:
1. Level of education and development
A diploma indicates that a person has successfully completed a particular educational institution and received the appropriate qualifications. Accordingly, the diploma holder is able to assimilate knowledge, communicate with others, and think logically.
2. Specialization and level of knowledge and skills
The diploma indicates exactly which field or specialization in the IT field has been studied and successfully mastered. Successful completion of studies and graduation indicates that a person has a certain level of knowledge, skills and competencies in the relevant field.
Note that the number of hours in a speciality may coincide with the number of study hours in a certain speciality in professional courses. That is, the indication of specialization in the diploma does not relate to its undeniable advantages over other confirmations of qualifications in the IT field.
3. Systematic approach
Completing training and obtaining a diploma also indicates a person’s ability to master new information and approach the study of complex topics systematically.
In general, a diploma in the IT field is an important document that confirms qualifications and can be one of the decisive factors in finding a job or moving up the career ladder. However, do not forget that practical skills, work experience and professional certificates are also necessary.
It all depends on the personnel policy of the company
For many IT recruiters, having a diploma is one of the factors they consider when reviewing applicants’ resumes. A diploma can confirm a candidate’s knowledge, skills, and education. However, the IT field also appreciates practical skills, work experience, certificates, and projects completed for previous jobs or independently. It is important to remember that each company has its own criteria for selecting candidates, so some may pay more attention to education, while others may pay more attention to practical experience.
What does the data obtained as a result of the research indicate?
According to many experts, traditional higher education is losing its relevance. This is due to the rapid development of the IT sector, which requires constant updating of knowledge from specialists and regular retraining. Analysts from The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) note that specific skills and work experience often become more important than prestigious diplomas. Does this mean that today it is possible to find a highly paid position without having a higher education?
The United States is a leader in transitioning to skill-based hiring in various professional fields. Leading American companies such as Dell, Accenture, IBM, Amazon and others support this trend. The U.S. government also recognizes that career success should not entirely depend on a degree. In January 2021, the White House legislated to limit the ability of IT companies to require a certain level of education from applicants. In a report submitted to the White House, experts express the opinion that too much attention to higher education can exclude capable candidates and disrupt the effectiveness of the labor market.
In Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore, labour market changes are taking place more gradually. In specific industries, from 2017 to 2022, the requirements for candidates’ education level even tightened. This is especially noticeable in Singapore, where an academic degree remains the primary criterion for staff selection. Experts admit that such a system has its drawbacks. In March 2023, the Singapore Institute of Management proposed that employers should strive to expand human resources, “going beyond traditional educational requirements.”
In mid-2022, HeadHunter’s research department announced that about 79% of IT professionals do not have a specialized higher education. In addition, there is an inverse relationship between age and the availability of specialized education: the older the programmer, the less likely it is to have a corresponding diploma.
What are the requirements for a diploma from Belarusian employers
The qualification requirements for a candidate for a vacancy depend on the position for which the candidate is applying. The minimum qualification requirements for various positions in Belarus are set out in the Unified Qualification Directory of Positions.
For example, to take up the position of a programmer, a candidate for a vacancy must have a diploma of higher education with appropriate qualifications in the following areas:
- Computer engineering.
- Natural sciences.
- Equipment.
- Radio-electronic equipment.
- Hardware components.
- Connection.
- Automation.
- Quality assurance.
- Ergonomics.
- Information security.
Of course, not all IT specialities in Belarus require higher education. For example, a software technician may have a specialized secondary education.
The qualification requirements for a business analyst also include higher education with appropriate qualifications. For example, the employer will need an Economics, Management, or Computer Engineering diploma.
Government organizations, banks, and other companies in the financial sector that need IT staff are incredibly demanding to have a diploma.
Many specialities in the IT field are not included in the Unified Qualification Directory of Positions. Therefore, IT companies that hire employees extensively may not adhere to the requirements of this handbook and hire employees who have relevant experience and a portfolio suitable for the company’s direction.
In other words, during interviews, they analyze works from the portfolio, study the repositories of candidates, or ask them to write code. The importance of educational documents in such cases does not become paramount.
How to confirm your qualifications in the IT field when you do not have a diploma
Higher education remains classical, as those with such an education know the fundamental concepts in the IT field. When a candidate does not have a university degree, in addition to his portfolio and experience, he may be of interest to the employer:
- A certificate of completed IT courses.
Paid short educational course programs often have a structure that differs from the traditional academic environment. They usually offer the basics. Sometimes such courses are held in private “academies”, under the auspices of large IT companies. In this case, those who study at such academies have a chance to get a job at an IT company that organizes appropriate training. The main disadvantage of many of these courses is the insufficient quality of educational programs, which may prevent them from completing test tasks in the future. Therefore, the choice of courses should be approached very carefully to study the feedback of the cadets and the competencies, experience and portfolio of the teaching staff.
- An international certificate.
Foreign companies issue international certificates after passing the exams. Usually, passing educational programs is not required to obtain a certificate—preparation for the exam takes place independently. However, there are exceptions. For example, Cisco Academy provides training. These certificates indicate that the certificate holder has expertise in a particular field.
Many companies continue to require higher education as a prerequisite for filling vacancies in the IT field, but in practice, this requirement is no longer so necessary. Knowledge of the technology stack and work experience in IT product development are becoming more important factors. Thus, in the IT world, the main arguments for employment are not the presence of an education diploma but a portfolio and expertise. However, this is not true for all IT companies, as everything depends on the personnel policy of the company and the requirements for the qualification of employees from the state.
How to contact us
For more information or advice on issues related to education in the field of information technology, do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help and support you.
Phone and email communication options are available for your convenience:
- +375293664477 (WhatsApp/Telegram/Viber);
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