Some guidance 7

[lucidity23]

I am trying to figure out the ebst route to take right now. My family members will tell me to just finish up college first. I figure that is probably the best choice, but I want to see what IT professionals out there would say.

I am 24 and am not taking classes just yet. I was, but life has its ways of going haywire. Anyways.

I am wondering if going for an A+ cert now may open a door to an IT help desk position? I know an MCSE would be another good goal, but that is not something I could do overnight.

Should I just stay focused on the degree? Or work on some certifications?

Thanks


- carpe diem -

 

[sleipnir214]

Off-the-cuff, I say stay in school and get your degree.

But the answer depends on a lot of things. Here's a couple:

Do you have experience? During the days fo the dot-com boom, all you needed was a certification to get a job. Now, employers are a lot pickier.

Where do your interests lie? For example, do you want to install networks, design networks, or build the hardware that make networks work? If the latter, you're going to need a degree.



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TANSTAAFL!!

 

[Onyxpurr]

As a person who was recently in this spot (I am now 28 and just finished getting my Bachelor's degree in CIS), I would suggest getting your degree. It opens up a lot of doors and allows a little more flexibility in succesfully switching career paths in the future. It also shows employers that you're serious about the profession and can see things through.

If possible, I would also suggest a part-time job or internship within the field of choice. Many times, I've gotten my technical jobs by just getting my foot in the door doing something else. Plu si t allows you to gain experience before you graduate and give a better understanding of the subjects you're learning.

Worked for me! I realize may not for everyone, but this is what I'm suggesting for someone of your age and experience.

Good luck!

 

[wmichael]

Badger;

You specific question regarding whether or not an A+ would lead to a help desk position can be answered by a "quite possibly."

Add an industry certification to the fact that you are on a path for a degree, and you are going to look appealing for an entry-level position.

In fact, why not work and have your company assist with the financial end of your education? Many companies have some sort of eductation reimbursement program, as well as incentives for getting education and certification.

Too, working in IT can help you focus on what you really want to do for the necxt 2-5 years.

I'd go for it, but not at the expense of continuing to pursue your degree.

Best of luck!

~wmichael

"small change can often be found under seat cushions"

 

[CajunCenturion]

Working on a degree and getting certifications are not mutually exclusive.

By all means, pursue the degree.

In the short-term, getting a certification, such as an MCSE not overnight, or the A+ overnight, may help you get a part-time job, from which you'll gain some experience, and help pay the bills.

In the long run, the degree will be worth much much more than any certification.

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[lucidity23]

Thanks for the input everyone



- carpe diem -

 

[rosieb]

A degree is usually seen as demonstrating general intellectual aptitude rather than a specific set of (possibly, dated) skills. I'd say finish the degree, specially if you've already invested a lot of time, UNLESS you really hate it and don't forsee a good result.

Personally, I have two degrees BSc Chemistry and MBA, no certifications, but broad experience. My, UK only, experience is that a degree is often used as a basic filter - if you haven't got a degree, you aren't considered. Only then do certs and experience come into play. I'd say stick with it, and if possible get the certs as as add-on.

Rosie

 

[rphips]

As a certified instructor of IT in a University I would have to point out several things.

Most entery level jobs in todays job market (on the east coast)require a degree. Even goverment jobs require a degree.

Degree will not get you that dream job but it will open the door to it

I had students with degrees go head to head with individuals with certs - and it didn't matter which one actually new more the degree always won.

Then of course there are those with a degree and certs - thats the best course to take and follow through on.

Not only are unique oppertunities open to you but upper management positions become avilable.

So most important "get the degree" then if possible - get the certs (some universities offer the cert classes as credit) Get a part time job in the field (like at electronic store that repairs and installs) and your on your way to bigger and better things.




bob

Jones' Law
The man who can smile when things go wrong has thought of someone he can blame it on.

 

[carp]

I would also recommend getting the degree. A certification may open a specific door to you (as long as you're not going up against candidates with degrees!). A degree, on the other hand, can open many doors. Often, a degree is required - it doesn't matter if it's in IT, Geology, or Anthropology; you just have to have a degree! I suspect this is because employers are more interested in whether or not you can stick to something over the long haul, and have the discipline and ability to learn. A four-year degree which also requires parallel learning in several areas is a pretty good indicator of this; a three-month (or six month, or 1 year, or whatever) certification that requires very specific learning in one area is not.

Elbert, CO
1620 MST

 

[rosieb]

Also, work on the application/interview technique. The degree may get you the interview but then you've got to convince them you're the ideal candidate.

I'd suggest, apply for anything vaguely related to your area of expertise.

Build up a set of responses to standard questions, if applying to organisations with an application form and a person spec (I have a list of c100 standard responses - easy to copy and paste).

Practice the difficult questions; what are your strengths / weaknesses (how do you manage them), your greatest success / worst failure (and what you learned from it). Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Etc.....

A few interviews for jobs you don't want will help to give you the experience to get the ones you are really interested in. (Use any rejection as a learning experience, ask yourself why, ask them why. Use that to build your "response list&quot

Remember that the degree, or other qualifications, may open the door, but that the persona you display is what ultimately what gets you the job. Be enthusiastic , and be yourself - I've found that my "best" interviews involved me giving a totally off the wall, instinctive, response to a question - not necessarily what they expected, just my immidediate reaction.

Knock 'em dead....

Good luck

Rosie

 

[avjoshi]

I always wanted to know this. Why degree is so important? I mean would any degree, say in anthropology, would do to get a job in Technology field? Wouldn’t it be better if a person gets appropriate knowledge in the field he/she wants to pursue if some kind of professional certification is available in that field?
I have an MBA degree with major in Systems and I work for a major consulting firm but I see a lot of my colleagues with not so much as a degree but enormous technical experience so much so that any body would snatch them if they are out in the market looking for a job.


Anand

 

[Craig0201]

Anand,

A degree proves you can think and learn. If you can do those then a new skill is relatively easy if you have the inclination.

Craig

 

[avjoshi]

Agreed. If it is a question of aptitude then in my opinion, it would help better to test for that rather than look for generic degree. I know quiet a few companies that give aptitude tests to entry-level candidates.
Having a degree or professional certificate for that matter, doesn’t automatically guaranty that person has what it takes to perform better in a given position.


Anand

 

[SQLSister]

Craig, I have to disagree with you, a degree does not prove that a person can think and learn.

 

[jtb]

Back to the topic, I don't see why--with an investment in a few old PCs to take apart and reassemble, and a couple books, and some time--you can't get your A+ while you're doing your degree...

YMMV, so look into what you're going to get back monetarily for that investment BEFORE you do it...

JTB
Have Certs, Will Travel
"A knight without armour in a [cyber] land."

 

[Onyxpurr]

Of course, it does depend on the institution from which you are getting the degree too.

Although, I've heard some critisms from my classmates about Devry, never once in the "real world" have encountered any critism. Actually, most of my peers and co-workers look favorably upon the place. I think it was well worth it too. Gained a lot of hands-on experience from very qualified instructors.

However, I would never suggest someone go out and get a degree from a less than reputable institution. My friend went to a technical school an got his AA (given it wasn't a Bach., but still...) This hardly got his foot in the door.

I also agree with rphips, in that, ALL of the jobs I've looked for in AZ (west coast) too have required a Bachelor's degree. My boss looks very favorably upon school (working on my MISM now) and so does most upper management. It shows a balance in not only being schooled on technology, but also in writing proposals, professional communication, statistics, a global view of economics. I could've gotten only a cert, but I would've only been a quarter prepared for my job in which I do programming and business analysis. Evry one of my classes (general business, economics, statistics, english, sociology, and technical including object oriented programming, object oriented analysis, cobol, vb, sql, etc) I use at my job. Not only that but it allows me the flexibility and ease of learning new things and taking on reponsibilities (after finishing up my large project, my boss wants me to start running reports that require cobol knowledge in addition to understanding work flows, processes and the ability to trend, analyze and forecast trends).

Whew! At least I'm prepared!