Certs or Degree?

Discussion in 'Training & Development' started by jaycee0408, Feb 19, 2009.

  1. jaycee0408

    jaycee0408 Bit Poster

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    I am studying A+ cert at the moment. But I saw some uni are offering part time degree.
    Just wondering which would be the best to go for. I would like to be an IT technician.

    Thanks.

    JC
     
    WIP: A+
  2. Qs

    Qs Semi-Honorary Member Gold Member

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    I hate to say it but... both? (Plus real-world experience)

    Qs
     
    Certifications: MCT, MCSE: Private Cloud, MCSA (2008), MCITP: EA, MCITP: SA, MCSE: 2003, MCSA: 2003, MCITP: EDA7, MCITP: EDST7, MCITP: EST Vista, MCTS: Exh 2010, MCTS:ServerVirt, MCTS: SCCM07 & SCCM2012, MCTS: SCOM07, MCTS: Win7Conf, MCTS: VistaConf, MCDST, MCP, MBCS, HND: Applied IT, ITIL v3: Foundation, CCA
  3. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    Companies hiring entry-level techs don't need people with college degrees... they need warm bodies to handle entry-level tasks. Thus, early in an IT career, certifications are going to be far more useful than degrees.

    Do I think degrees are worthwhile? Absolutely! But they are more valuable later in an IT career to help set yourself ahead of your competition. And they're certainly not worth doing as a substitute for working - someone with four years of experience will almost always be hired over someone with a four-year degree.

    Personally, I'd recommend that you get both certs AND a degree... but again, not at the expense of getting your first IT job and actually working in IT.
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  4. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

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    This was covered quite comprehensively in this lively thread :)
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, 70-410, 70-411
    WIP: Modern Languages BA
  5. Jiser

    Jiser Kilobyte Poster

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    I would go for a degree with the option for a year out in industry. Best of both worlds. In all honesty you can quite easily have a part time job, study for a degree and get your MCSA with A+ / N+ electives in a four year degree with a year out in industry and have a social life.

    Sounds like alot I know but IMO it can be done quite easily.
     
    Certifications: BSc (Hons), PGc, MCTS:Win 7, MCSA W7/MCITP EDST, ITIL Foundation, Prince 2 Foundation, C&G: Web Design, MOS 07: Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook.
  6. jaycee0408

    jaycee0408 Bit Poster

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    I wish I can do both now but i'm in a full time job at the moment, so really i only could go for one path at the moment :(

    JC
     
    WIP: A+
  7. Kitkatninja
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Then I would recommend to do what I, and alot of people have done. Work full time, do your degree part-time in the evenings & weekend, then do entry level certs like the A+, Network+ & the MCDST (not all 3 at the same time) during breaks (Summer & Winter).

    I'm not saying that it'll be easy, however it can be done.

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  8. jaycee0408

    jaycee0408 Bit Poster

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    Which university did u study part time and which degree did u take?

    Thanks :)
     
    WIP: A+
  9. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    I studied at the University of Northampton (back then in 2003 it was called University College Northampton), the program I was in was the BSc in Computing specialising in Software Engineering. However when I graduated it was just a BSc in Computing (no specialisation), this may have been due to amount of student drop outs. There was 2 part-time degree courses running the the evenings the BSc in Computing and a BA in Computer <something else?>. And in order for the rest of us to continue we all merged into one course :)

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  10. jaycee0408

    jaycee0408 Bit Poster

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    I see, I will be looking for one similar course in university in london.
    Thanks Ken.
     
    WIP: A+
  11. Kitkatninja
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    A quick search, the top two, brought up Goldsmiths (UoL) and London Met Uni, both do part-time degrees in Computing/Computer/Computer related subjects.

    Hope this helps :)

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  12. jaycee0408

    jaycee0408 Bit Poster

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    The course in London Met Uni seems pretty good, now I just need to prepare to write my personal statement. :)

    Ta again Ken
     
    WIP: A+
  13. Kitkatninja
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    No worries :)

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  14. jaycee0408

    jaycee0408 Bit Poster

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    Sorry one more question, how old were you when you started the course?

    Ta
     
    WIP: A+
  15. Kitkatninja
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    I started my HNC when I was 20, transfered over to the degree program once I completed that (I was 22) and then graduated when I was 25. Both HNC & BSc was part-time and I was the youngest person on both courses.

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  16. jaycee0408

    jaycee0408 Bit Poster

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    I see, I'm 19 now but I am a temp in the public sector office. I am waiting to become permanent staff and then I will be able to afford to study part time degree. For now I'll study A+,N+ and MCDST.
     
    WIP: A+
  17. Kitkatninja
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Good plan, imo :)

    -ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security

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