To anyone who hasn't observed the IT Certification environment being swamped with people taking the easy way out...a word to the wise. DO NOT SUBSTITUTE A degree WITH A CERTIFICATION and expect it to carry you through your working career.
Uni degree programs arn't grandfathered at the whim of the marketing dept of some large software giant.
Cover your based and get both...but make sure you get some sort of formal schooling, preferably a 4 year degree. A lot of hiring personal in HR dept's frown on certs as just the easy options and are NOT considered education or experience.

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{{{standing up clapping}}}

I totally agree. Speaking from my area, certification(s) will get you an entry-level or intermediate position if you are lucky. Most of the senior positions are people who have some form of degree.

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Hey guys,

I have to tell you that I totally agree with both of you. The certification will get your foot in the door, the degree will enable you to work your way up in the company.

I keep saying, to know avail, that sometime down the road certifications won't mean anything to us anymore. I know people who have degrees, and have been working in the IT field for years. When something new comes out, they learn it, but they can't be bothered writing the certification exams, because they don't need to anymore. They are established enough in the industry, that a peice of paper doesn't matter anymore.

I know we need the certifications to get started,but the wise person, will start to take a four year degree program at night school while they are working.

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Sincerely,
Paisleyskye
Best wishes and peace to all!!!

(MOUS WORD97 and EXCEL97, A+ Certified, MCP)

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Some of the best network engineers and programmers I know do not have any certifications at all.

Work experience is the most important thing that employer looks at.

Certifications are good for entry level positions only.

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I'm not so sure they're even any good for entry level. CNE,MCSE certs were designed to seperate the elite from the rest of the pack of engineers. They were never designed to say you had the apptitude for an entry level position. You wouldn't get an MBA in business so you could apply for a position as a junior filing clerk.
Hiring managers know this, its their job.
At my last interview I didn't even mention certifications in case it had a negitive effect on the interview, and guess what...I got the job.

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I hear ya pinhead! I got my first position and current position without any certifications. Yes I am currently working on a certification, but I am pursuing it to enhance my skills and complement my AAS in Computer Networking Technology. After that, I will work on a bachelors degree.

Oh yeah Bismark, a majority of the network personnel that I work with know their stuff without having any certifications. They even frown on the whole certification concept to an extent.

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You all are right,

College degree is something you need for basic and your life. Something you will think back when you get old. However, cert is only a step to help u on your career, for promotion, gaining knowledge and improve your technicial skill.

This is what certification for. Many people is misunderstanding this concepts and I saw many messages that young kid from H.S and freshman in college is getting MCSE.
What is the point for them? They only think short. This is the different between educated and not.(in college level)

Many people in A+ and Network+ forum are not understand this. They all think entry cert will get them job. NOWAY.

I believed that many Tech institution is mis-lead to many people right now.

My main point is school is very important for long term, Cert only help for short period of time, promotion, career path and your own knowledge.

Just THINK DEEP!!!

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I agree, a college degree is usually (with a few exceptions) considered more significant then a certification. I found out something interesting: my certs got me out of 30 of the 68 creidt hours that are required for an AS in networking. If I get an MCP and CNA I'll be exempt from 8 more credit hours .

The two most important factors by far though are knowledge and experience. It seems to me that certification helps out to a much greater extent then college does when it comes to knowledge. Of course, neither does anything for you experience wise.

Kasor, I very closely fit description, being both a high school senior and college freshman who has persued various certifications. I got my first IT job a couple months ago and my certs played a major part in landing the job. I'm not just getting certs for the short term. I plan to stay with this job until I finish High School, then move on to a WAN position. Within 3 years I hope to become a CCIE and finish up a BS.

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Matt
CCDA, CCNA, Network+, A+

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I agree, a college degree is usually (with a few exceptions) considered more significant then a certification. I found out something interesting: my certs got me out of 30 of the 68 creidt hours that are required for an AS in networking. If I get an MCP and CNA I'll be exempt from 8 more credit hours .

The two most important factors by far though are knowledge and experience. It seems to me that certification helps out to a much greater extent then college does when it comes to knowledge. Of course, neither does anything for you experience wise.

Kasor, I very closely fit description, being both a high school senior and college freshman who has persued various certifications. I got my first IT job a couple months ago and my certs played a major part in landing the job. I'm not just getting certs for the short term. I plan to stay with this job until I finish High School, then move on to a WAN position. Within 3 years I hope to become a CCIE and finish up a BS.

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Matt
CCDA, CCNA, Network+, A+

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ccitToBe,

You are thinking! That is good. And you are luck to have a job related with real IT expereience while you still a senior in HS.

Make sure yourself keep up the study in college. college need GPA not PASS/FAIL. OK
If you repeated the course. It will hurt your GPA. Good and Big company look for both GPA and related work experiences.

Very luck for you to get a job in FL.

Many people in the NY,CA,TX,PA,MA,RI, don't find a job even with a AA, or AS degrees.

Just to remind u, keep up the school work.

Good luck in college!

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