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Home > Archive > Certifications and IT jobs/Salaries > June 2002 > Am I too uneducated?
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Am I too uneducated?
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| Cyrus_kid 2002-05-28, 9:48 am |
| Hi Guys! I’m a 21yr old male with little education, but in my mind I know I can survive in the IT industry. I’m currently working on my MCSE/CCNA but only gained my MCP 70-210 last weekend and I feel damn good knowing that I’ve at least made a start. I'm also planning on taking my 70-215 before June 15th.
But the question remains, will I ever get a job and earn respect in IT 'networking' without earning my first degree?
I would love to hear from you folks out there if this is something that’s been done in the past or I’m trying to log into the impossible zone.
Thanks for reading my stuff...
PS: I did graduate from college, so I ain’t totally retarded! | |
| chodan 2002-05-28, 10:33 am |
| My opinion only
Get the MCSE then get some expierience.
From what I`ve seen Most colleges teach networking at such a basic level as to be almost ridiculous.
If you were becoming a programmer then I might change my tune but for networking expierience is the number one.
With a MCSE and a CCNA and 2 years of expierience you will be ahead of most college instructors in networking.
Not to say you shouldn`t earn a IT degree but remember your MCSE and CCNA will give you college credit at many colleges. | |
| darthw 2002-05-28, 12:51 pm |
| I'm a bit confused. You state "without earning my first degree", but then say you graduated college. Did you earn a degree, or not? Perhaps you are stating that you have a degree, but not one in IT?
If you haven't earned a degree, and even if you have and are now considering an IT degree, at your age I would make a degree a priority if at all possible. The younger you are, generally the fewer responsibilities (marriage, family, house, etc.), so it is best to dedicate the time that a degree will take now, while you are most free to do so. Degrees aren't always going to be the best for training in "the latest and greatest" technology, but you will get an overall perspective on IT. Also, pursuing a degree will likely be expose expose you to business coursework, general grammar, tech writing, etc., which will help round out your knowledge; you will use many non-IT skills in an IT career as well.
As for respect, I don't think the degree will be a fast ticket to that. A prospective employer may want to interview based on the fact that you have a degree, or some certs, and that's good, but respect will come when you prove your worth on the job. The degree should certainly help present you with the opportunity to gain the knowledge to eventually get that respect, but you will not earn anything without doing the job well. | |
| ace123 2002-05-28, 1:19 pm |
| Get the msce first
After that get the degree. | |
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| guess that depends on your point of view
i do not have a degree but have certs and 8 years experience but lately it seems I get beat out for jobs by people who have degrees
Ed
A+ Question of the Day Guy
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| "UnEducated" is a big word. It is all depend on you how you define and look at it.
Many great people didn't get education from the college, but well success in their career.
However, in reality a college degree is a standard of your place in the society (sometime). | |
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| I'm 20 and working full time in networking now, and also am studying for the Mcse. I'd recommened you get a job iswell if you can doing anything with IT, even if you have to work for nothing. I came soooo close to working for nothing.
I cant see myself doing the Mcse without any real world experiance, you get exposed to sooooo much, you just cant do without it and rely on the certs.
look for a job, i got my job when i had 1 mcp.. you never know your luck  | |
| Teck Shark 2002-05-29, 10:08 am |
| That is the question!
One thing is for sure, a degree or even an MCSE doesn't equal success. That part is up to you. Get a job to get experience! That is the most important thing you can do. Get your MCSE. Many entry level jobs will even pay for certs. Then once you land a better job go back to school & finish your degree... employer reimbursed! Don't completely leave a degree off your list of things to do. At the very least get a 2-year degree. At least that way you get your writing & speech classes, and of course math & sciences. Most employers want to see that to prove your competent, can speak & write well, and are more well rounded. An MCSE can't give you that.
My best advice is to do both! In today's saturated & fierce IT job market you want to stand out & look the best you can to an employer. Good luck to you! | |
| freak 2002-05-29, 10:57 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by chodan
My opinion only
Get the MCSE then get some expierience.
Amen! My opinion as well as a matter of fact | |
| onoski 2002-05-30, 3:57 am |
| Anything degree related in very good, but it would certainly not get you a job just like the mcse. It is best to get all the education you can get be it mcse or degree. But a degree would show that you can commit as well as communicate properly or effectively. Keep up the knowledge pool flowing. | |
| Cyrus_kid 2002-05-30, 12:07 pm |
| Y'all nothing but the GREASTEST ADVISORS!
Thanks for all the comments.. Keep 'em coming folks..
I think ima carry on with my MCSE and hopefully it'll count towards my degree, which I've already started checking out cuz I don't want to start as a freshman!...
Is possible that I'll get to start (degree) as a sophomore or higher?.. (Drifting from original question, but still on the same subject)..
Keep 'em coming folks...
Together, we are stronger!..Stronger than ever......
Cyrus_kid | |
| TW2001 2002-05-30, 12:53 pm |
| Most colleges accept a certain amount of applicable credits toward degree programs.Do yourself a favor and get into a program that will carry some wieght(CS CIS IS MIS). Good luck to you.. | |
| MyoTechie 2002-06-02, 12:23 am |
| Hey All,
Here is my personal experience with this issue:
I finished school (out for a year now), resisting the temptation to drop out and go work @ some DOT com. Right now I am studying to obtain my MCSE, while working full time at a software company.
I know that I am getting paid 1.5x - 2x more because I have a degree (BSBA, MIS concentration). At work we recently hired a new developer and his salary was 75% of what it could have been, justified by his lack of a degree.
Being well rounded is essential in today's hyper competitive tech market and degrees are definitely still well respected.
Whatever happens best of luck! | |
| katman 2002-06-02, 10:11 am |
| You will need BOTH to get a "great job".
If you have the stuff, do all three; Work, Work on your MCSE, and go to college.
I did; now I have AAS in CS, BS in MIS, and I'm two exams away from a MCSE Windows 2000. I'll finish by December 2002 and it took me 6 years; However I have changed job three time and got much better bucs each time!! | |
| mcoates 2002-06-02, 5:37 pm |
| Well the original posting seemed reasonable...it had punctuation, reasonable spelling and a clear line of thought.
But then the author blew it:
"so I ain’t totally retarded!"
...you stumbled at the finish line.
People only remember the last thing you say, and communication is so important in certs and getting a job... | |
| ThE-UnknowN 2002-06-02, 9:28 pm |
| I don't have a degree, and have no certa either (yet). I just started on a A+ but intend to complete a few more certa and maybe get a degree later.
Am only 25 but have alot of experience in various areas in IT.
But I should say that not having a degree does get me a lower pay then those with a degree (about a 100 bucks lesser .....).
And I guess I am lucky to be a Programmer (especially considering that the place I work at has a strict Diploma / degree as a minimum for a Programmer). But then again, I got promoted from within....... so I guess that helps.
So, in conclusion, yes, a degree will help, and if without, you still can survive(assuming you have good experience and are well versed with whatever you are supposed to do), but it might be a bit tougher.
But can't say I regret not having a degree, as I got to do some cool / fun stuff during the time my friends were chasing that piece of paper
Disclaimer : This is my personal experience, and may not apply in your area. | |
| mcoates 2002-06-02, 9:48 pm |
| Half of IT doesnt have a degree, so it shouldnt stop you going where you want.
However, lack of a degree means that your work experience is more important. You certs must back up and reinforce what you know..as proof to employers of your understanding.
Try not to substitute a degree with a collection of certs either. Your time and money may well be better spent elsewhere...like saving for a home...paying your mortgage off.
I suggest you get an entry level job and certify as you learn the technology...be the first to say..."boss can I learn that or manage that...or can I go on a course..."
Yes degrees get you more, but you have to bear in mind that the person holding the degree now has 3 - 4 years less earning lifetime, so it has to be compensated for.
I have a degree and dont think it has helped in telecoms yet, but it may in 10 years time when you want to go from being a techie to a manager. I have no doubt it will help me there. I dont however want to start that silly argument that "a degree isnt really worth anything after 10 years..."
Having said all that...a MCSE and CCNA is a very good platform to start off on...
Going above it, may not offer the salary reward you expect. Dont believe those salary surveys...the responses come from people who have been in the industry for 5 - 10 years...so a greenhorn with ccnp cannot possibly be expected to earn that much. Nor do those salaries take account of what other skills those people with that cert have.
Do bear in mind that 500,000 people on the US east coast are looking for work in the IT fields....so spend and study wisely...look for that niche area where there is a shortage...afterall getting a job is all about marketing yourself and the rules of supply and demand apply...
good luck and with hope the market will improve for you all... | |
| spyder59 2002-06-03, 11:12 am |
| some people I have talked to in getting jobs and weighing the differences between college/university and certs is that:
gettinga a job is like trying to win the lottery.. the more tickets you have the better chances of winning.. that goes hand in hand with getting a job.. the more education you have the more chances of landing a job...
my advice is to earn some sort of diploma/degree in comp sci or something.. the people skills you will learn in school mean a lot to the employer...
just thought I would throw my 2 cents in |
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