seeking advice : CCNA vs B.S.?

[ViviTheMage]

maybe that is my issue, i've been restricting myself to the local B&M University Of Minnesota - Twin Cities ... that and because I am already accepted.

Are there other B&M's in the country that have online/distance only IT/IS/Security degrees? I bet tuition would be much higher though... hmmm

 

[SagaLore]

Not having your BS will limit you.

A CCNA is nothing more than an entry level cert.


Also, both of these just help you get your foot in the door but the BS will help you start off at a higher salary level.

 

[destrekor]

Not having your BS will limit you.

A CCNA is nothing more than an entry level cert.


Also, both of these just help you get your foot in the door but the BS will help you start off at a higher salary level.

That's what sucks.
I learned too late that I may actually be interested in getting into this as a career, after having decided, before graduating highschool, that I would not want an IT-centered job. So I have a B.A., and no certs.

I cannot possibly afford to go back to school right now, especially not for another undergrad degree - at this point, if I'm going back, I'm working on a grad degree. Maybe in the distant future I might try and apply what credits I can from my current undergrad degree to another degree - but that's still a few years of work since many B.A. credits won't transfer to a B.S. discipline.

It's either I'm going to go for the gold with what I already have, and maybe spend some spare time earning some certs... I can talk it, especially with some refresher, just at this point no credentials to even get my ass into an interview - my resume will look weak and unexciting, and thus get thrown away, if I apply for the types of jobs I know I'd be capable of actually doing hands-on. Gotta know people if your resume looks weak, and I know nobody.

 

[wheresmybacon]

BS stat. Do not pass Go; do not collect $200; get your 4-year. As recently as last year I was telling people it's not needed in "our world", but I was wrong. That time has passed. It's really shocking to see how it's pretty much required for most mid-level and up IT jobs. I had the same employer for almost 10 years, so admittedly I was speaking from the vantage point of someone who hadn't searched for jobs in a while. Even though it's retarded, it still doesn't change the fact that it's reality.

And a CCNA will not take a year. Jesus it's an entry level networking cert. Even by the most lackadaisical study methods that's going VERY slow. Especially if you work as a network admin, you should be able to pick up a book or two, use free resources online, and easily have it done in a few months. If you can't learn that stuff in a 3-4 months time there's not a class or resource anywhere that will teach it to you. Not trying to be mean, just saying that if you're taking longer 4 months to cover the material that's in that test, you're doing something wrong and/or this may not be the field for you.

 

[manlymatt83]

I think we've had this discussion before, haven't we?

You know what I'm going to say, but I'll say it anyway. These shouldn't be mutually exclusive. You could do a CCNA in a year, tops. That won't prevent you from also working towards your BS. Please, seriously consider getting the BS. Many companies have this warped perception that a BA/BS is required for every position under the sun, and since you won't beat them, you might as well join them.

Which is why I purposely try to hire people without degrees first before people with degrees.

 

[kami333]

That's what sucks.
I learned too late that I may actually be interested in getting into this as a career, after having decided, before graduating highschool, that I would not want an IT-centered job. So I have a B.A., and no certs.

I cannot possibly afford to go back to school right now, especially not for another undergrad degree - at this point, if I'm going back, I'm working on a grad degree. Maybe in the distant future I might try and apply what credits I can from my current undergrad degree to another degree - but that's still a few years of work since many B.A. credits won't transfer to a B.S. discipline.

It's either I'm going to go for the gold with what I already have, and maybe spend some spare time earning some certs... I can talk it, especially with some refresher, just at this point no credentials to even get my ass into an interview - my resume will look weak and unexciting, and thus get thrown away, if I apply for the types of jobs I know I'd be capable of actually doing hands-on. Gotta know people if your resume looks weak, and I know nobody.

Tuition reimbursement FTW.

I've accumulated about 90 credit hours over the last 6 years, post graduation. If I didn't move around so much I could probably have another bachelors.