I.T Degree or Industry certs

[Lorddalron]

Hi guys. Looking for some opinions to my dilema which i have a feeling could leave me none the wiser.

As it stands, im looking to get my I.T career up and running, preferably in the Networking/Server admin side of things.

I have 2nd level qualifications already in a GNVQ and BTECH National Diploma in computer studies and have just recentley passed my first Cisco Networking course (Certification exam in the next month or so).

My dilemma and original plan is go down the route of obtaining Windows 7 config (mcts) followed by Server 08 Admin (mcsa) to help get my foot in the door at level one and work my way up.
However, after making a few enquiries into doing my degree (which i havnt enquired into before due to lack of maths and english) it seems on merit i will be allowed to enter on the basis i obtain maths and english beofre going on to get a Bsc.

As it stands, i dont currently work in I.T however i have an up and coming oppertunity with a local enough company who specialise in Datacenter and virtualisation with a level 1 service desk engineer position as well as an apprentice role. Both of which offer in house training. The company itself is also partners with the likes of Cisco, Citrix, MS etc etc.

Question is, do I have patience and do my degree or do i do the next best thing and get up to scratch with industry certs.

I know its not all about having a degree or a couple of letter after my name in CCNA, MCSA etc etc but its a decision i need to make.

All opinions much appreciated, espeically from any I.T managers, CEO's etc.

Thanks

 

[Lorddalron]

A good answer and if im being honest, pretty much what i was already thinking.

What i like about the idea of a degree is the fact of going over all of the computer stuff again, i.e Web design, Programming, hardware etc etc but its at a cost. Forgot to mention that it will be done part-time (3years, with year 3 being work placement), prob two days/evenings a week which could also throw a spanner in the works due to work commitments.
Another thing im thinking of is year one is Year 1- Systems Analysis, Computing Mathematics, Professional Issues & Entrepreneurship, Software Constructs and Tools, Database, Computer Platforms, Introduction to Programming. In which time i could have at least my MCTS in Windows 7 config and MCSA in Server Admin (excluding the current job prospect i mentioned).
Year 2 is more my cup of tea. Computer Networks, Web Application Development, Network Database Applications, Server Management and Work Based Learning. The work-based learning is a compulsory part of the course where students will join the computing teams in local companies for a full semester.

Im yet to arrange an interview with the college but i have a feeling the part-time schedule might not even suit?

 

[Lorddalron]

Dont get me wrong. If i sick to my original plan of going down the industry cert route. I'll be learning everything possibly going as i know i have to. Different for a person already in the field a few years and as you put it, just wants to have the letters. I on the other hand am looking to specialise ion this field of networking or server admin and feel my chosen route of CCENT, MCTS Win7, MCSA Server 08 isnt a bad start. Followed then by somthing like Vmware or citrix. All of which could be helped along the by this job prospect.

 

[Lorddalron]

Not sure why people even want to go into support roles. If someone kept asking me to retrieve their lost password, or create new account in exchange, i'd kill myself.

Support role will only be for a short time, hopefully no more than 1-2 years before i can progress onwards and upwards. I have to start somewhere and thats being realistic!!!

@Supercow. I get what your saying but i think they say the same in regards to Comptia A+ in that you should be in the field at least 3 years with a good working knowledge however a lot of entry level people start with this.

Dont get me wrong. Im not saying im going to fly through my MS stuff but becasue its in the area i like and wish to progress in. I'll make it work for me. Rather than going into somthing like Software engineering which i have no interest in.

 

[Lorddalron]

In the past, when I've been job hunting, I've never seen a degree requirement. I have seen MCSE / VCP / CCNA / etc. in most of the adverts though.

True.

I think if i were going down the lines of teaching then it would probably be a must but maybe not so for what im looking to specialise in.

 

[Lorddalron]

For me it depends entirely on where you want you career to go, if you want to remain technical then take the techy certificates and go for it in that market current skills and experience are what sells while a degree is a nice to have.

If however you want at some point to move on from being purely technical into a management/leardership role then a degree will be very useful and you will regret the hours spent getting technical qualifications you no longer have need of.

See thats a good point. Im always thinking ahead and while trying not to completely loose myself in my ambition. Managment/Consultancey would be an aera id consider in years to come but i always assumed x amounts of years of experience would also be an advantage there.

Im going to see how i get on with this job prospect and take it from there. If they offer competitive money or as close to as what im on now then it could be a no brainer.

In regards to doing the extra year and getting (year4) for the hons degree. Whats normally covered in that final year and is there a big difference to what that can offer?

@Syther: What ever you do, dont stop now. I left it too many years and I should be at least a professor now In not that old (28) and have a good idea on where i want to be so thats a start. All i know is i want more than what im doing now and its all 100% acheivable with a little/a lot of hard work!!

 

[Lorddalron]

Its kind of gone all whispers of an ethnic origin now.

Just to clear a few things up. My passion lies within networking, servers and virtualisation. Ive tried my hand at coding, a HND in software engineering to be exact years ago and its not for me.

The degree definitely seems a good way to go for programmers but maybe not for me hence the dilemma.

 

[Lorddalron]

Strangely enough I went into digital marketing (with some technical elements that University prepared me for), something I wouldn't be able to do if I initially perused a technical support role. My degree opened many doors, and I'm quite proud of where I have ended up. I suppose I am saying that a degree will give you more options, especially in the long-term (maybe something to think about in terms of long-term plans). If the OP wants to secure a role in tech support/networking, then a degree is not necessary. But let's look at the long-term...

Yea, again. Down the line i may think about management or even my own business. Who knows and there's lots of good modules on business etc with the degree.

 

[Lorddalron]

Thanks guys for all the help, view and opinions. I pretty much knew there were going to be mixed results.

Ive applied for the job anyway to see how we get on. Still waiting word back from the college in regards to scheduling on the course as that will be a deciding factor too. Starting any earlier than 6pm (which it probably will) is a straight no no as I have to work.

In regards to certs. Ive just booked my ICND1 exam (Cisco CCENT) which Ive been covering for the last few months so fingers crossed there for me guys.

I will keep yous updated in regards to job and how things pan out with the degree. At least if i get into a job now and remain doing my certs I can also do my degree at a later stage. Right now I need experience and if ive got the spare time to get certs along the way then maybe its best to leave the degree as to a certain extent its going to keep me back (Only because im not currently employed in I.T if you get me)

Thanks again. Much appreciated!!

 

[Lorddalron]

Thought long and hard and decided that knowledge is key what ever I want to do so im going to do my degree Its a Bsc Degree in Digital Technology and Networking and seems to cover most of what the CCNA covers (amongst other things of course) so at least when im done I can obtain the Cisco cert for extra kudos. Everything pretty much sorted and I start my studies in October.

I thought, rather than try and obtain further Cisco and Microsoft certs in a rush, i'll take my time, digest as much I.T knowledge as i can and apply everything when im good and ready. Im not one for thinking lifes too short, i look at it like ive got the rest of my life to do this. Im 28 now and should have my degree at 31. Hopefully after the 1st year and a half or so i could still get into somewhere and take things from there.

Because i work full time I cant do the whole "student campus" life and although I had nearly everything sorted out with my local college, things just wasn't going to work out with them due to their lack of encouragement so I am doing it through Open University.

Open University offer a wide range of computer degree pathways, be it Networking, Software etc etc and again, after much head wrecking ive chosen the root of the open degree which pretty much lets you choose your own modules from their extensive list. Even more impressive is that I can choose to foucs on Networking which i mentioned above covers everything from the Cisco CCNA. I'll also be doing server technologies with some i.t business studies.

Cant wait to start, 1st mandatory module is the TU100 (My Digital Life) worth 60 credits. This runs from October to June however if i get wrapped up by the new year I probably move on to Technologies in Practice .

 

[Lorddalron]

You may enjoy it, but I found TU100 horrendously tedious.

Probably, and the fact that's its compulsory leaves me little choice. Once i bang this out of the way that's when the real learning will begin.

Looking forward to playing with the sense board mind you. I take its the same as a Raspberry Pi so to speak??