In the modern world, particularly in the social media universe, there’s plenty of misinformation to go around. It might be one of the few things that are not in short supply amid the global logistics crisis. As more people set their sights on tech-oriented degrees and diplomas, that field is now undergoing a major infestation of falsehoods, misconceptions, urban legends, and other variations on the myth theme.
What are the most common canards making their way through social media channels and other information super-highways? First, it’s important to understand that a huge percentage of people who work in social media hold tech-based college and graduate degrees. Second, most of the misinformation about the IT and tech arenas originates in traditional news outlets and then makes its way through individual accounts. Hollywood and the television industry do their part. Consider the following misconceptions that currently reside atop a huge pile of incorrect assumptions:
- It takes a genius-level understanding of mathematics to earn a technology degree
- Master’s degrees are a must for long-term success in the field
- Education loans are drying up
- The post-graduation job market is focused on programming positions
- Internships, when you can get them, pay nothing
- Earning a tech-related diploma is a massively costly affair
It’s helpful to examine each one in order to see how their logic collapses under the magnifying glass of common sense.
Only Math Geniuses Need Apply
It’s about logic, not math. Few technology workers could teach a calculus course at the advanced high school level, yet the assumption that all tech workers and students are math prodigies won’t die. What is true about those who pursue degrees in subjects like programming, IT, web development, and similar pursuits is that they usually possess above-average capabilities in logical reasoning. Of course, there are a good number of double majors in math and tech-related subjects, but for the most part, you don’t need to be a super-brain in the numerical sciences to succeed in technology studies.
Getting College Loans is Increasingly Difficult
Having a cosigner is a game-changer. Since the early 2000s, it has remained relatively easy to obtain loan money for higher education. What is NOT easy is getting a reasonable interest rate or being assured of approval for large loans to top institutions. But for those lucky applicants who have cosigners, the outlook is strikingly more favorable. Working adults who serve as an Earnest cosigner for student loans can help young students gain approval and secure competitive interest rates. Note that approval is a plus, but the lower rate is a major advantage. It means that the borrower will pay much less money over the lifespan of the loan agreement. That’s why being a cosigner is one of the most effective ways to support a diligent college attendee.
You Need a Master’s Degree to Get Ahead
There are excellent career paths for everyone with an education. There’s nothing wrong with earning graduate degrees in any field. But, far too many young people and adults who aren’t in the IT arena assume that all tech-based workers have or are aiming to obtain master’s degrees. It just isn’t so. Only a small percentage of IT workers at every level hold diplomas past the undergraduate level.
All the Good Jobs Are in Programming
Many are in social media, IT security, software development, and website design. At the dawn of the computer age, programmers were by far the largest single group of graduates from the few institutions that offered digital-oriented study. But by the time the 2000s rolled around, the landscape was totally different. Today’s program attendees know that there are rewarding career paths in dozens of areas, including website design, gaming, software development for corporations, consulting on various tech hacks and how to implement them, various segments of the security niche, and all areas of social media, etc.
College is Prohibitively Expensive
Online schools and community colleges represent low-cost options. Top schools and most private institutions have developed a relatively well-deserved reputation for being overly costly. But that’s true for prospective career candidates in every industry. One of the most potent workarounds for the high cost of schooling is to attend community colleges, state universities, or online academies. Keep in mind that the majority of those state and community institutions offer their own online programs as well. The main benefit of matriculating via a personal computer is that total expenses are far lower than in-person learning.
Summer Internships Pay Little or Nothing
IT students are in high demand, and the pay is above average. For engineering, accounting, pre-med, and IT-based pupils, summer internships are abundant and pay rather well. It’s a matter of beginning the search in March or April. That way, you get a leg up on the competition and have less of a chance of missing out on the opportunities available at top companies.
