Are you there Glister? 1

[xjlkx]

I have a question for anyone in the forum, but specifically for Glister and his Laundry list of Certs...

I am considering continuing ed in the IT field, and I've come across this never ending battle of certs vs college degrees.

Basically my question is, what do you think certs are worth. You obviously put stock in them since you have so many...so what is your view of things? How do you respond to the critics who say certs are useless "wallpaper?"

I realize this isnt the professional development forum...but I see Glister floating around here all the time, so I figured I drop it here.

 

[glister]

good question...

First off, I am a technician. I enjoy working with my hands and fixing things. I am a very good troubleshooter. Certifications are a pretty good validation of SKILLS. The psychometric developement of today's cert exams seeks to evaluate understanding and competency of these skills. I prefer CompTIA certs because they don't expire and are vendor neutral.

A college degree is always prefered to certifications. A degree demonstrates a broad knowledge base and the ABILITY to learn. It also demonstrates a certain level of commitment. A degree is almost required if you want to move into any management positions (I don't). A degree is required if you want to enter any engineering fields.

an argument can also be made for economics. A college degree is a four year (at least) commitment. BIG buck$. Certification coupled with a two year degree can hit the ground running.

Proximity to State schools vs. Private schools can be a big factor. Correspndence courses are HARD. Certification self study is easier to fit into a schedule that includes a family. Tuition reimburshment can help a lot.

These are all factors to be considered when making the choice. I hope this helps. Keep in touch. A+,N+,S+,L+,I+,HTI+,CET,CST,CNST,CNCT,CFOT,CCNT,ACSP,ISA CCST3

 

[xjlkx]

Thanks for your response Glister...

This is my situation -

I already have my bachelor's degree, but it is in an unrelated field. I kinda fell into this job (I'm an IT Project Technician) when I graduated because I worked at this company summers, and they needed the help full time.

I want to keep learning, and while I hold experience above all else, I want to build my credentials as well. Going back to get my CS degree part time would take a long, long, time and cost a lot of money, whereas I feel if I earn some certs to bolster my position as a college grad, I can "hit the ground running" as you say.

I'm trying to make the decision that makes the most sense at this point in my life (I'm 24), and it seems like getting experience as well as certifications is the way to go....rather than building a costly collection of bachelor's degrees

 

[glister]

It sounds like you have a pretty good handle on things. a few points I might make...

A degree in Computer Science is pretty deep. You might consider something with a more business slant. Check out what sort of leveling classes would be required for a Master's in, say, Business Information Systems. Project management is big these days.

it sounds like certification might be your best path now. any thoughts on which ones you might pursue? A+,N+,S+,L+,I+,HTI+,CET,CST,CNST,CNCT,CFOT,CCNT,ACSP,ISA CCST3

 

[Accessdabbler]

My understanding of these things runs along this line:

Computer Science degrees - most important if you expect to design computer software and hardware.

College degrees and diplomas - generally geared toward specific education such as Network Specialists, Programmers, Enterprise administrators. College is usually geared toward giving graduates specific skills whereas Computer Science is more broad, expecting you to be an engineer inventing and creating new products.

Certifications - generally teared toward technicians who actually get their hands dirty. Technicians are the people who put the systems together and maintain them.

That said, I don't look at these people as different "classes". All of these people have important jobs to do and they must all work together. Unfortunately many high-level computer engineers and administrators suffer from "self-importance disease". They tend to think they are better and smarter than all those below them.

 

[jtb]

Whichever "path" you take, don't forget to make a map first... otherwise, you'll end up being a techie with no business skills at age 50, trying to compete with similarly equipped high-school grads...

figure out where you want to be in 30 years, 20, 15, 10, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1... set milestones... don't embed them into your soul; just set goals--things change!! (as you well know)

Don't forget that Michael Dell and Bill Gates have neither earned degrees nor certifications... but that they both have extremely well-polished people skills...

Good Hunting!!
JTB
Solutions Architect
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSA, MCSE-W2K, MCIWA, SCSA, SCNA in progress)

 

[Accessdabbler]

...don't forget that Bill Gates and Michael Dell were also in the right place at the right time.

 

[jtb]

Right place, right time... Hmmm...

I think, to my dismay, that any of us over the age of thirty were in the right place at the right time... and just didn't take advantage of the situation...

Now is also the right time.

Here is also the right place.

Good ideas are free. Taking advantage of them requires courage. Do we have what it takes?

(not sure about myself)
JTB
Solutions Architect
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSA, MCSE-W2K, MCIWA, SCSA, SCNA in progress)