|
Home > Archive > General Discussion > November 2003 > How and when to get a degree?
You are viewing an archived Text-only version of the thread.
To view this thread in it's original format and/or if you want to reply to
this thread please [click here]
| Author |
How and when to get a degree?
|
|
| DSComputers 2003-11-09, 3:41 pm |
| Well, I'm working in the field and I have a couple certs, I want a degree.
I've decided for sure that I want to persue a CS degree, but I'm worried about what it will do to my job-specific computer studys and ability to continue earning certifications.
I'm currently working on security+ and 70-214 (mainly sec+ for now) to upgrade my mcsa to mcsa: security. Then I plan to go for my ccna. After that upgrade to mcse: security, then reevaluate where I am and what certs I need to get where I want to go. Problem is, that is going to take a while to get those certs. So, I could wait untill fall 04 to start `college at night or I could start this spring and just let the cert process take 10x longer...though I'm afraid it would stop alltogether once school got going.
So, my question is what should I do?
Start school in the spring and slow way down on certs, possibly putting off promotions at work.
Or wait another 1/2 a year or so and get some more certs before starting school...delay the big degree, but help move up in the company short term.
When I do start school, how do you suggest managing a 40hr/wk+ job and part time `college at night(~9 credit/hr semesters, mix of live and online classes) without falling behind in computer stuff, certs or not.
Thanks for any advice and opinions  | |
|
| no matter, get in asap, when you get in, they the issue is how many course.
most schools will let you take 1 course or 2 course to maintain elgibility...
but if it is those vocational school, I suppose it doesn't matter about the application process as I think they can accomodate you even b4 the class start...
anyway, the thing I learn is to
get the ball going.
it is much easier to get in, take one course and judge for yourself then to wonder and plan and wonder and plan for the perfect plan that balance work/school and life... since non of us really know how you wish to balance your social life... or how much strain is your work (ie, ppl have job, they do their 40 hours and shed all responsiblity, there are those who does 40 hours, their mind and energy is still with the job even after they are home... like manager vs cashier... responsibility differs)
get in, start small and evaluate and plan accordingly. | |
| curiousgeorge 2003-11-09, 6:18 pm |
| If you already have your A+, Net+, and MCSA, I say get ur degree. A degree lasts a lifetime, certs get outdated quickly.
If you're going to get passed over for a promotion because you don't have an MCSE, that's not the right company to work for. Most people get promoted for their dedication and hard work.
Good luck in school and work.
Hope all turns out well for you! | |
| Tennman 2003-11-09, 6:46 pm |
| Get your BS degree in computer science ASAP.Your BS degree will get you in more doors then any cert. | |
| mindmesh 2003-11-09, 10:01 pm |
| I have agree with Mikop. Get the ball rolling. Besides no cert will teach you what the degree will.
Like Nike says:
JUST DO IT!!! If you don't do it now you'll probably never get around to it..
Good luck. | |
| ChrisDfer 2003-11-10, 11:59 am |
| Don't listen to them they are trying to bring you down. Do the right thing and stop getting certified and don't ever goto college to get a degree. Instead go to Mcdonalds and get a part time job as a cook.(you will get a kick XXX paper hat) You can then work your way up to full time cashier(you will then get a even cooler plastic hat). Then in about 10 years of that they will ask you attend to Hamburger College, reject that idea. college is the devil and is umm worldly and only wastes your time. Instead stick to your cashier job then when the 15yr old pimple faced manger goes onto a higher paying job at Carls Jr. you can grab his position. Then work the rest of your life a manager at a popular fine restraunt establishment. Plus it takes very little effort on your part.
Certifications and degrees are tools of the devil. So are computers and the internet.
Do what you want but I think my path is the true path to happiness and sucess. Those people who posted above just want to bring you down. | |
| Supertech 2003-11-10, 12:07 pm |
| Don't hesitate. Tuition is going up everywhere. As states are experiencing budget shortfalls, they are cutting funding to colleges and universities. Our state (TX) schools will have an average increase of 23% next semester. | |
| ChrisDfer 2003-11-10, 12:25 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by Supertech
Don't hesitate. Tuition is going up everywhere. As states are experiencing budget shortfalls, they are cutting funding to colleges and universities. Our state (TX) schools will have an average increase of 23% next semester.
No kidding, I am $30,000 in the hole and am 21yrs old. That is just with a 2 year AS degree too. I plan going and getting my BS degree soon too. So once I do that I will be screwed forever. One would think they make college cheaper and more affordable. The way things are going they make it harder for people to actually get into school and to get a degree. After all doesn't a country do better when it has more educated people? I am not saying it should be free but I think there must be something they can do to make it more affordable. It was one thing when I was living at home and not paying any bills but now there is no way I will be able to get enough loans to pay the entire tution so I am usally stuck paying $400/mo tutition payment on top of everything else. Not to mention the payments on the loans when I am not in school full time.
Maybe instead of giving all that money every year to crack head welfare whores they could spend that money on people who actually want to better their lives. | |
| DaPunisher 2003-11-10, 4:27 pm |
| I just completed An associates degree in CEET while I had a full time job and studied for certs! It sounds like alot, but if you balance it out it works. Just be prepared mentally and pretty much give up your social life. I worked 8-4 then wen to school 5:30 to 10:30pm (Had a 1/2 hour nap in between...it really helps!) Two nights a week and a saturday morning for school, two years straight! I earned the certs you see in my profile during that time, also.
Read a few pages in your study guide every night before bedtime, buy or make an audio study guide for the commute to work and school, take some free prep tests on your lunch break. Easy! | |
| DSComputers 2003-11-11, 8:12 pm |
| Thanks for the advice everyone. I am just going to start off with one 3 credit hour class online, do another one or two classes in the summer and see how it goes, then start in on whatever load I think I can take in the fall 04.
As for lack of certs not getting me a promotion, you’re probably right. Now that I have the job they probably don't care all too much about certs. Even if they do care, I could get my CCIE and if my job performance wasn't good, I'd miss the promotion. While at the same time, if my job performance was great, and I didn’t get any additional certs, I surely wouldn’t get passed up. I'm trying to become a full time network admin soon, as one of the two current network admins are leaving soon.
But, again, thanks for the advice. I'm going to begin `college at the start of this spring semester and continue working on my certs, just as a slower pace. | |
|
| Degree is always helpful... if u want to still in the IT world... in management level at the future
CS, CE, EE, IS are good choice... | |
| DSComputers 2003-11-18, 7:12 pm |
| Hrm, I'll dig this up by the off chance that my post may help someone...
I talked about this with my teachers a couple years back in high school but forgot all about it when I started into the whole certification thing. I just rediscovered a (well known, heh) way of treating `college just like certification studies.
You can buy books to study for a test on a class and then test out of it.
http://www.collegeboard.com/student...clep/about.html
So, I figure taking a leisurely pace of 1 test a month (and I know I can go faster on many since I know a lot of the material from high school) I can knock out 36 credit hours in one year. Basically I can test out my entire first year of `college and most of my 2nd!
Yep, just thought I'd share for anybody in the same boat as me. I'm excited about this. I get to save not only time but gobs of money as these tests are only $50 each + the cost of whatever books I buy to study.
I can get all the junk out of the way quick and get right to the fun stuff  |
|
|
|
|