A word of warning about test-out degrees.

[JanusthePhoenix]

From what I understand, employers have traditionally perceived an applicant with a degree in the following ways:
1) They are more educated, more skilled, and generally more qualified to be a new hire for an expanding employer.
2) They need to be paid more.
3) They are more in demand, and thus more likely to jump ship when better offers come around. This makes them more "heady" than a non-degree holder as well.

Now take away the first perception. In this one-sided market where not many employers are expanding, and my generalized degree is not able to compete with specialized degree holders with specific experience, the first perception doesn't apply to me.

Now I'm left with only negative perceptions in many cases because of it. The best lead I have generated in the past couple of weeks was because I was able to grab the manager and explain my situation personally, attacking the negatives head on. Otherwise I am convinced they would have thrown my resume in the trash.