Animators Opinion

I didn't go to college for animation. I did however take courses that I felt would help me as an artist. After working in animation, I wish I could of gotten formal education in animation. All in all I was lucky in the fields I did work and it was all very rewarding.

For the most part, employers are looking purely for talent. It goes without saying that a degree any or other qualification is no endorsement of true talent. And your actual creative abilities, your original thinking and your problem solving strategies are what is going to get you into the field and make you a highly desirable commodity. That said, there is nothing "wrong" with getting a formal education, as it can expose you to alternate industries you might be better suited to, but unlike spinal surgery or corporate litigation law, you really don't need a degree to get into the business.

I find that my degree did little and continues to do very little in my career. It's only use at this point is to by-pass many if not most of the hiring departments requirements for an interview. Just like in all industry a degree from certain schools hold up better against other schools, depending on if people already working at the company went to your school. All-in-all, talent is what will get your hired, not your degree. I have seen people with associates degree be in positions of Creative Director over Bachelors and to this day I have never met anyone with a Masters degree in the industry. Your portfolio and talent is far more important than your degree.