Author Topic: Need some career advice from you computer guru types. (Read 297 times)

TPIguy · « **on:** August 01, 2002, 06:06:33 PM »

Ok, little background info first:

I'm 24 and have been in college off and on since 96' studing computer information systems. I worked in a computer store for 4 years doing repairs/upgrade etc.. Learned alot there while I was in school. I'm still about 60 credits from graduation which at my current rate will take about 4 years. I work about 50-55 hours a week in a vacuum shop selling vaccums. Ya its sucks, but it pays more than anything else I could find w/out a degree. I can't afford to go back to college full time, hence the 4 years or so to complete my degree.

I'd like to get a better paying job soon. So, I have been looking into getting some certifications. I got a course catalog from a local tech school http://www.nhgainesville.com and would like some advice.

What type of certifications are best? Are there any that employers look for specifically? Whats the going rate for courses?

I thought about starting off getting my A+, till I saw it was $3100 for the course. I seem to recall from my computer store days that A+ cert. people didn't make much more $$ that non A+. And I can't say I've seen any employers looking for people with just A+ certification.

MCSE was $9100. Most of the other programs were in the $3-6k range.

At these prices I could probibly finish my degree for about the same amount of money, It would just take me longer.

I've also considered going to flight school instead.

Any advice is greatly appriciated

Morgoth · « **Reply #1 on:** August 01, 2002, 08:10:59 PM »

I'll try an address this by paragraph:

1. You didn't state which classes you've taken or what type of degree you want. The shortest road would be to try and CLEP out of some of the classes you've already learned through real world experience. Complete your A.A.S. in Information Technology rather than going straight for a B.S. You'll get it quicker and satisfy a lot of employer's reqs for a 4 year degree with a 2 year one with work experience.

2. The type of cert you want depends on what job you want to do. Want to hang out in a wiring closet banging on switches? Get a CNA. Want to support users? Get an MCSA or A+ (or both). Want to run a data center? Get an MCSE.

What none of these choices requires is an assload of money as you've described. You can get all the study guide books legally from Amazon used for half the list price. If you'd like to take the illegal route, get mIRC and look for bookwarez channels. You can DL everything you need for nothing.

What is required for getting into the industry successfully is a love of things computer geeklike in nature and some serious motivation. I went from making squat at low wage non-tech drone jobs to $70K+ a year doing something I enjoy (mostly). I don't have any certs. I do have an A.A.S. in IT and 7 years experience.

Good luck!

whgates3 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 01, 2002, 09:23:29 PM »

a lot of IT 8iznessez will pay for most/all of cert expenses if you work for them

narsus · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2002, 08:35:08 AM »

TPIguy

I used to be an instructor for New Horizons in New York, they are expensive and to be quite honest unless you get a kick-ass instructor you wont learn to much.

If you can learn well from books i would recommend that (much cheaper), or try and find another school with better pricing.

Oh before I forget make sure you get a chance to have a sit in for a class or two. I would suggest two with different instructors so you get a feel for the teaching styles and if it would help you before you plunk down the money.

TPIguy · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2002, 12:51:23 PM »

Thanks guys! I appriciate the advice alot. I still have time to decide the route I'll take. However, I think I'll forget the tech school for now and try learning on my own. Who knows, maybe I can find another job where I can get some more experince. I don't like sales at all so the sales experince I've been getting is almost useless.

AKSWulfe · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2002, 01:10:37 PM »

Morgoth/Spof- I'm about to be done(3 more courses) with my AA in IS. I've been working with the government for 3 years now as a hardware technician/help desk (not so much the latter, I don't answer phones or any of that.. if it's broke, I go fix it.. also setup the computers for new users).

Would I be at a disadvantage at getting a job compared to someone who has a BS?

Thanks.
-SW

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2002, 01:29:07 PM »

Wulfie.. those are excellent credentials for getting a support job with most large companies. The trick is to search as soon as you get your AA. If you wait.. few people will care that you did it... its a "recent college graduate" thing. After a year... you lose that designator.

If you want to work in Arizona, New Mexico or Oregon... send me a resume as soon as you get close to your degree. You'll be hard pressed to find better $$$.

AKDejaVu

Morgoth · « **Reply #7 on:** August 02, 2002, 03:38:38 PM »

AKSWulfe: IMO no. It's not just my opinion tho. I've spoken to my HR folks and know quite a few at other companies. The only time you get screwed for just an A.S./A.A.S. is in some government and contracting jobs where the specs (outdated in today's market IMO) require a BA.

Back to the real world

experience = formal education
A degree is a ticket punch that opens more oppportunities just like certs. In practical applications, it just means you have commitment and the ability to memorize many things, about 70% of which you'll never use at work. Note I didn't say college is worthless on a personal basis.

Summary and short answer: maybe 85% of the time, no