re: College Degree or Work Experience?

You should have both. Both have greatly benefitted me.

A business degree from a local state school will help, not just with accounting and finance skills, but it will help you create a network of guys and gals that you will know for the rest of your life. If you go to LSU for example, you will have friends you can call on in Dallas, Houston, Jackson, Memphis, BHM, Atlanta, DC, Chicago, New York, and every hamlet in Louisiana. You will know folks in LA state government, too.

Now flip that over. You don't want to be 22, looking for work, and not have any practical experience (IE look like every other college grad). Doesn't matter if it's white collar or blue collar. Just need to know how the world works and the people in it. I'd suggest 1-2 summers of each - do some landscaping or labor for a summer or two, then intern at a CPA firm, ad agency, or other office.

It depends really but the ideal situation is both. Give me someone who worked their arse off and got a degree while supporting a family.

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In real life, what’s more appealing? College Degree with little to no real life work experience or work experience with a college degree or no college degree?

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Greatly depends on career, some absolutely require a degree

It clearly depends on the field/job.

In my field there is an aptitude test that is given during the hiring process. So, it’s more than either a college degree or experience. In general though, a college degree is required because they want to know that you have the ability to learn. Now I assume if you somehow got the certifications without a college degree that would be more important, but I don’t know anyone who has been sponsored for the certs without a degree.

I’ve got 15 years in O&G and although I like the offshore life I want something a little different. I’ve got a two year in instrument/controls and even with the 15 years I know I’m “stuck”. This is still a 170-200k a year job(activate truck nuts) but I’m bored. I’m working now to get a 4 year degree. I’d like to stay in energy but just want a different experience. I’d even go wind or solar projects just to be on the ground for a while. To do that I’m not getting an interview without checking the minimum education criteria.

I want the smartest worker. They usually accomplish more than just a hard worker

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Doesn't the Army pay for your college?

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Yes they pay for it (all branches the same). I actually got paid to go using old MGIB and a state veterans grant. I banked over 2k per month as a full time student, no debt, finished an associate’s & bachelors in 3 years, and then went to grad school until my benefits ran out. I did pay 1200 dollars for this, 100 per month for first year. I don’t know if they still offer MGIB.

That’s different than new 9/11 bill which doesn’t pay as much, provides tuition and cost of living aka housing allowance per zip of school.

Also, my wife and kids get free tuition. Wife already earned her associates and license, but she’s continuing to go and gets paid. But that’s a different VA benefit.

I own my own business because I don’t want to work for other people. Work from home to save overhead costs and watch my youngest while older kids are at school.

it goes both ways actually getting the degree shows some level of staying power and responsibly like a degree. Generally actual work experience is usually worth a little more being hired, but the degree will give you a higher ceiling in the long run.

My fancy papers are in my underwear drawer

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Work experience. When I’m hiring I don’t want anyone who has been groomed by some queer liberal professors.

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Can you give your company info so I can warn people away from it? Thanks.