MS Certs or Engineering Degree?

[her209]

Having the degree will give you more leverage, but it certainly does not guarantee you the job.

 

[sonz70]

Heh..heres another way to look at it.

I'm getting my certs...so I can put them on my application for EE.

 

[Looney]

Yea if your talking about being an Electrical engineer but damn sure not a Network Admin. I guarantee without a doubt, a person here in this area with a couple years of experience and gets his or her MCSE or CNE (eDirectory) they will get a job over a person with an Electrical Engineering Degree for a network admin position everyday of the week and twice on Sunday.

So you're saying somebody with 2-3 years of experience in first level tech support who gets an MCSE will get a job over an EE degree? Because what kind of experience will you be getting without any certs in the first place?

 

[StageLeft]

i said certifications, because if you're really asking this question you are stupid. Seriously.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: her209
Having the degree will give you more leverage, but it certainly does not guarantee you the job.

I'll like to know how many people with Masters EE that are unemployed vs MCSEs.

 

[classy]

Here is the question

Originally posted by: nod218
Which one do you guys think is better for jobs and advancement? Microsoft / Cisco Certification or Bachelors Degree in Engineering and Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering?

Here is the answer, it depends on what a person likes to do. If a person wants a career in the computer field, here's two very likely scenarios. One guy goes to a tech school and passes his tests earn a high level cert like a CNE MCSE or CCNP MCDBA and gets a entry level job and spends a couple of years working his way up. Then you have the other scenario where the guy goes to college and that also depends on where he goes, not all computer degrees are equal, he spends 4 years give or take 1 more or so. Now in that scenario in the computer field both of these folks will be able to compete and go as far and earn about the same money until a slot to be a IT manager comes up and then the college degree gains an advantage. But thats if a person wants to go that far. Thats for computers. Now to be an electrical engineer obviously college is better and as far as I know today is the only route you can take. Years ago many unions used to take folks in for apprenticeships for electrician and you used could go that way, but I don't think thats the case anymore. Now which one is a better overall future? I don't know and I don't think there is drop dead answer. I just spoke with a person who was out of work for 2 1/2 years and he has a masters in civil engineering. So being as though I have spent the better part of the last year looking for a job I think I know a little bit about reality. If this posters friend wants to work in computers then going the cert route is not that bad especially if thats what he likes to do. Just because he wants to get a Masters in EE doesn't mean his friend wants to do that and to criticize the guy is a joke. Not everyone wants to spend 6, 7, 8, years going to college and college is not the end all be all in real life. Thats the only point I am making. And if a slot for someone to manage a server cluster comes up I doubt they will bring in a person with Masters in EE over a person who holds a MCDBA. Just like I am sure no one is going to bring in a CCNP to design the electrical requirements for an office building.

 

[RichieZ]

Originally posted by: classy

Originally posted by: uurda
An engineering degree provides multitudinous opportunity -- you can do anything and open any doors to create whatever future you desire. A certification will get you decent job in the short run, but will never, ever, allow for the opportunity an engineering degree provides.

I have an MS in engineering from a well known national university. I also have numerous certificaitons. Never have I heard "oh, you have xyz certification." Always, I've heard "wow, you have an MS."

I've been able to move vertically, laterally, jump fields, attain whatever development or management role I want based on my engineering degree and experience.

My advice, get the cert if you need income now, if you have a family. If not, and if you have the apptitude and abiliy to get in an engineering program, forget the cert . Whatever you do, persevere. Never quit. Never give up. Get the degree, and you will never look back.

Yea if your talking about being an Electrical engineer but damn sure not a Network Admin. I guarantee without a doubt, a person here in this area with a couple years of experience and gets his or her MCSE or CNE (eDirectory) they will get a job over a person with an Electrical Engineering Degree for a network admin position everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. As I stated no matter what route you go you need experience and no just because you got a college degree doesn't mean you'll get the nod over a person with a cert, its a damn lie. It depends on the field. I do agree that if he doesn't have any responsibilties going to college can be good, because in the pc world if you want to be manager of a IT department you'll need it, but it really depends. The network and pc world doesn't have any standards. It just doesn't. And trust me I know many with degrees that now look back. There is no one perfect answer, both have their positives and negatives, and depending on circumstances one may be better than the other. And if there is an engineering degree that will open doors in any tech field, let me know where it is, because in my lifetime I have yet to find one.

Why would you want to be a network admin if you have a degree in EE?

PS: I do not have a degree in EE, but i don't exaclty see many ppl with a BSEE going for IT jobs

 

[slpaulson]

Uhhh
Are you for serious?

 

[AFB]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
LOFL...you can't be serious

 

[cjgallen]

For a degree, you have to take difficult classes like English and PE, and possibly a foreign language! PE sucks, go for the certs

 

[Otaking]

omg r u furreal?

Certz, plz. The best recognition you can give yourself is a 4-year degree.

 

[cmv]

Originally posted by: mzkhadir

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
LOFL...you can't be serious

certifications will help you land a job now with crap/decent pay but engineering degree will help you in the long run

:thumbsup: That is way I'm still persuing a CompSci degree even though it won't mean anything to my present employer for at least another 4-5 years (if I stay).

 

[cmv]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster

Originally posted by: uurda
An engineering degree provides multitudinous opportunity -- you can do anything and open any doors to create whatever future you desire. A certification will get you decent job in the short run, but will never, ever, allow for the opportunity an engineering degree provides.

I have an MS in engineering from a well known national university. I also have numerous certificaitons. Never have I heard "oh, you have xyz certification." Always, I've heard "wow, you have an MS."

I've been able to move vertically, laterally, jump fields, attain whatever development or management role I want based on my engineering degree and experience.

My advice, get the cert if you need income now, if you have a family. If not, and if you have the apptitude and abiliy to get in an engineering program, forget the cert . Whatever you do, persevere. Never quit. Never give up. Get the degree, and you will never look back.

wow..you put that REALLY well.

I'm going to get an MS just so I can jump long corn fields too! Wait...

 

[gopunk]

Originally posted by: classy
Here is the question

Originally posted by: nod218
Which one do you guys think is better for jobs and advancement? Microsoft / Cisco Certification or Bachelors Degree in Engineering and Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering?

Here is the answer, it depends on what a person likes to do. If a person wants a career in the computer field, here's two very likely scenarios. One guy goes to a tech school and passes his tests earn a high level cert like a CNE MCSE or CCNP MCDBA and gets a entry level job and spends a couple of years working his way up. Then you have the other scenario where the guy goes to college and that also depends on where he goes, not all computer degrees are equal, he spends 4 years give or take 1 more or so. Now in that scenario in the computer field both of these folks will be able to compete and go as far and earn about the same money until a slot to be a IT manager comes up and then the college degree gains an advantage. But thats if a person wants to go that far. Thats for computers. Now to be an electrical engineer obviously college is better and as far as I know today is the only route you can take. Years ago many unions used to take folks in for apprenticeships for electrician and you used could go that way, but I don't think thats the case anymore. Now which one is a better overall future? I don't know and I don't think there is drop dead answer. I just spoke with a person who was out of work for 2 1/2 years and he has a masters in civil engineering. So being as though I have spent the better part of the last year looking for a job I think I know a little bit about reality. If this posters friend wants to work in computers then going the cert route is not that bad especially if thats what he likes to do. Just because he wants to get a Masters in EE doesn't mean his friend wants to do that and to criticize the guy is a joke. Not everyone wants to spend 6, 7, 8, years going to college and college is not the end all be all in real life. Thats the only point I am making. And if a slot for someone to manage a server cluster comes up I doubt they will bring in a person with Masters in EE over a person who holds a MCDBA. Just like I am sure no one is going to bring in a CCNP to design the electrical requirements for an office building.

no offense, but you do know that EE has *nothing* to do with being an electrician, right?

 

[jmcoreymv]

Originally posted by: gopunk

Originally posted by: classy
Here is the question

Originally posted by: nod218
Which one do you guys think is better for jobs and advancement? Microsoft / Cisco Certification or Bachelors Degree in Engineering and Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering?

Here is the answer, it depends on what a person likes to do. If a person wants a career in the computer field, here's two very likely scenarios. One guy goes to a tech school and passes his tests earn a high level cert like a CNE MCSE or CCNP MCDBA and gets a entry level job and spends a couple of years working his way up. Then you have the other scenario where the guy goes to college and that also depends on where he goes, not all computer degrees are equal, he spends 4 years give or take 1 more or so. Now in that scenario in the computer field both of these folks will be able to compete and go as far and earn about the same money until a slot to be a IT manager comes up and then the college degree gains an advantage. But thats if a person wants to go that far. Thats for computers. Now to be an electrical engineer obviously college is better and as far as I know today is the only route you can take. Years ago many unions used to take folks in for apprenticeships for electrician and you used could go that way, but I don't think thats the case anymore. Now which one is a better overall future? I don't know and I don't think there is drop dead answer. I just spoke with a person who was out of work for 2 1/2 years and he has a masters in civil engineering. So being as though I have spent the better part of the last year looking for a job I think I know a little bit about reality. If this posters friend wants to work in computers then going the cert route is not that bad especially if thats what he likes to do. Just because he wants to get a Masters in EE doesn't mean his friend wants to do that and to criticize the guy is a joke. Not everyone wants to spend 6, 7, 8, years going to college and college is not the end all be all in real life. Thats the only point I am making. And if a slot for someone to manage a server cluster comes up I doubt they will bring in a person with Masters in EE over a person who holds a MCDBA. Just like I am sure no one is going to bring in a CCNP to design the electrical requirements for an office building.

no offense, but you do know that EE has *nothing* to do with being an electrician, right?

There are EEs that do the electrical design for office buildings. Its the electricians that do the installation.

 

[eigen]

Can we please sticky this as the dumbest thing ever asked on ATOT.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: uurda
An engineering degree provides multitudinous opportunity -- you can do anything and open any doors to create whatever future you desire. A certification will get you decent job in the short run, but will never, ever, allow for the opportunity an engineering degree provides.

I have an MS in engineering from a well known national university. I also have numerous certificaitons. Never have I heard "oh, you have xyz certification." Always, I've heard "wow, you have an MS."

I've been able to move vertically, laterally, jump fields, attain whatever development or management role I want based on my engineering degree and experience.

My advice, get the cert if you need income now, if you have a family. If not, and if you have the apptitude and abiliy to get in an engineering program, forget the cert . Whatever you do, persevere. Never quit. Never give up. Get the degree, and you will never look back.

Have you ever thought that your success is related more to you as a person than your degree? For every success story I could find you the exact opposite. I know very successful people without degrees, and I know people with advanced degrees that are still in the same position they were 10 years ago.