How long does it take to become a Senior programmer analyst?
Asked by Michelle H
I just started an IT programmer analyst program, associate's. Do you have to have a bachelor degree to be promoted to Senior programmer? Do you need a lot of work experience? What areas do you need expertise in? Thanks!

Best Answer:
Every company is different and I doubt very much that you could find an actual standard. Many companies will require a bachelor's degree to even GET a job, let alone get a promotion to a senior level. Others purely look at ability and experience and couldn't care less about formal education. No matter what level of education you have, the number one criteria for a promotion to a senior level position will be your demonstrated mastery of what you do. There are programmers who may work for years and years and years and, really, they are just "ok" and they never get promoted. There are others who by the time they get out of school have already demonstrated an aptitude that will assure them senior level positions very quickly. As a recruiting professional who has done quite a bit of IT recruiting, my advice to you is this - move immediately from the Associates to the Bachelor's. Don't pause, don't pass go, don't look behind you, just slide right on in and finish up the four year degree. In all liklihood it will pay major dividends down the road. No matter how good you are, not having the Bachelor's will keep many, many, many doors completely closed to you. Once you have the bachelor's, be serious about your art. Whatever convinced you to try to get by on an associates is something you need to overcome if you want to pursue the sort of ambition that you seem to have. Promotions aren't given... they're earned. Lastly, I'll give you one more piece of advice. In today's world there are lots and lots of bits and bytes, propeller-head, code-jocks. If you want the long green, augment your technical skills with plenty of business skills. Take accounting, finance, marketing, project management, managerial communications, etc. The big gaping hole in the employment market now and for the forseable future is people who can bridge the gap between business leaders and technology leaders. ie. once you get that Bachelor's degree, go to work for a couple years to get a feel for the real business world, and then do an MBA. You won't regret it. Best of luck!