Calling all IT experts

Okay, I have a question for you!

I will be graduating with my BS in Liberal Arts soon. I work as a Financial Analyst. I want to break into Data Communications, Networking and Infastructure, or possibly programming. What is my best bet? Get a MS in CIS or just aim for certs like Network+, Security+, MCSE, Cisco or get a few certificates from my community college in Networking, Cisco, Programming, etc? Who would hire me with no Undergrad degree in CIS and no experience? I would plan to volunteer some to cover the lack of experience , but what are my chances? I am also only 25.

Here are some certificate programs I was interested in at the community college...

http://www.ccbcmd.edu/sait/programs/dcomcertlan.html LAN Technician

http://www.ccbcmd.edu/sait/programs/dcomcertmcsa.html MCSA Certificate

http://www.ccbcmd.edu/sait/programs/dcomcertmcse.html MCSE Certificate

http://www.ccbcmd.edu/sait/programs/dcomcertnetplus.html Network+ Certificate

http://www.ccbcmd.edu/sait/programs/dcomcertsec.html Network Security Certificate

http://www.ccbcmd.edu/sait/programs/progitprogcert.html IT Programming Certificate

What do you all think about these certificates? Any use for them? I understand certifications rule, but will these help me prepare?


Thank you!

Rhonda

 

Here are the MS degrees I was considering...

http://www.bellevue.edu/degrees/mscis.asp Bellevue MS CIS

http://www.devry.edu/keller/programs/m_information_systems_management/courses.jsp DeVry MS Info Systems Management

http://www.umuc.edu/grad/csmn/tracks/irm.shtml UMUC MS Computer Systems Mngt

http://www.tourou.edu/cis/msitm.htm Touro MS Information Technology Management

http://www.uopxonline.com/Master_of_Information_Systems.asp UOP MS Info Systems

http://www.uopxonline.com/MIS_Management.asp UOP MS Info Sys Management

Any of these look good?

 

I am hiring some IT people and I would look for certs before an IT degree. A degree is important but they need to have certs also. If you get a degree in CS, the information could become outdated quickly. Certs usually ensure up to date info (Cisco requires an update every two years, etc.)

The best would be a program that offers both. I think FHSU offers a masters and you pick up certs along the way.

Good luck

 

Industry certifications are a quick route if you choose those certifications carefully. Since you have no prior IT experience, you might get more mileage out of CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ and find a position on a Help Desk. Once working you will have time to explore the direction you would like your career to take (networking, security, architecture, programming, etc.). The BA in Liberal Arts along with well-chosen certifications and experience will be a better ROI. A graduate degree serves those with industry experience better than those coming in at the entry level.

Western Governors University and Fort Hays State University both provide pathways to earning certifications along the way to a degree should you decide to pursue an undergraduate degree in technology.

My advice for those entering the IT world... Do something you are passionate about and that you would do regardless of the salary. The burn-out rate for IT workers is extremely high due to the constant need to stay abreast of the latest advances lest you go the way of the dinosaur.

 

I would agree sentinel. If you have no professional experience than a lower level cert is better since the competition for mid to upper level positions is very intense. Once I got in the door I would work at expanding my certs.

ALso, Consider small contracts that are short term, usually 8-10 hours. You can get a lot of exposure to new areas with decent pay and low risk of screwin up because its all scripted. I worked for the computer merchant, www.tcml.com, for a while and it was helpful. They base EVERYTHING on certifications held so its a good resource.

I didnt start my IT career till i was 28, 6 years ago, and I was able to move up the chain rapidly by gaining alot of certs, changing jobs alot, and customizing my resumes to highlight experience that was relevant to the job i was applying to.

FInally, start your own gig. Use you volunteer work as a base, and decide what you want to do and concentrate on that. Offer you church a free "security evaluation". I know alot will say be broad based with your skills, but I have been able to move up quickly by concentrating on security and growning in that area.

 

Good advice regarding focusing on short-term contract-type assignments where certifications are all that is really necessary and build experience working in the trenches. Choose a growth area such as security in its many incarnations and avoid the pitfall areas.

My entire IT career has been primarily as a consultant which allowed me to explore new areas early in my career. Over the years the focus of my contracts has evolved and adapted to emerging marketplace demands although I have not yet needed certification. These days though I advise anyone breaking into IT to get those damn certs if they want any chance to compete in the shark pool.

 

Get an MS degree and the first Cisco cert (CCNA) and you will "break in".

 

If you want some easy contract work, look here - http://www.e-technicians.net/

At least you would get some experience.

 

Re: Re: Calling all IT experts

That is one hell of an investment to "break in". As some one else said, get your A+ and N+ and see where you can go. How do you know you will like the field?

 

Re: Hard to break in

Maybe...maybe not. When I was taeching classes, I always told students to volunteer for any non-profit to help with their computers - churches, ASPCA, or anything else you could get some experience to list.

Anyone with some time can figure out networking. I have always thought it would be easier to get into programming. I could be wrong.

 

Re: Re: Re: Calling all IT experts

Hmmm...a CCNA is one exam...A+ and Network+ are non-starters.

 

One other thing to consider is the long haul with certs.

Most certs help build to other. There was an old now defunked website that highlighed this, here is a summary

Take them in the order of best result, and least amount of redundent study

Test 1 & 2 - A+, take two test get some letters and have a base
Test 3- Network+- Basic Networking, 1 test, more letters
Test 4- MCP- Microsoft 70-290, 1 test, more letters
Test 5 & 6- Microsoft MCSA, cant remember test numbers

But the key here is that the A+ and Network+ serve as an elective toward the MCSA. 6 tests, 3 certs. Microsoft takes several other vendor certs as electives. The Security+ can be an required elective for MCSE:Security

Also, Network plus is a great prep for CCNA, containing most of the networking basics contained in the CCNA. I took the N+ only to qualifiy for a HP cert and I took it 2 weeks after the ccna. No study at all, the only new material was types of cable.

Most of the Test you need for MCDBA, can be applied direclty to the MCSD if you take the right test. Do very detailed research and make sure you know the relationships between the certs..

 

Re: Hard to break in

Entry level positions in network administration are more easily found for those with basic certifications and the BA already in hand allows one to get past the bachelor degree minimum educational requirement so common these days. CompTIA A+ and Network+, and perhaps working towards MCSE (gag).

As for trying to break into programming without a BA or BS with at least a concentration in computer science and some experience is almost unheard of today. I frequently read postings seeking an entry-level programmer in say Perl, but the requirements state the applicant MUST have 5+ years Java experience and no mention of Perl other than the subject line or job title. Five year experience makes one an intermediate-level not an entry-level applicant. If you want to try your hand at programming as a potential career, then join an open source project and cut your teeth.

 

I disagree - the key is CompTIA exams are unreasonably expensive compared to Microsoft and Cisco.

 

Re: Re: Re: Re: Calling all IT experts

Attaining the CCNA has gotten harder over the past five years. Accordingly, the program has been changed by offering two certification tracks - a one-exam option and a two-exam option.

Beginners are advised to take the slower, more expensive, two-exam (640-821 INTRO and 640-811 ICND ) route. Attempting CCNA through the one exam option (640-801 CCNA) is widely advised only for those who are already have a lot of hands-on experience. The test is reportedly harder.

http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le2/le0/le9/learning_certification_type_home.html

I recommend A+ and Network+ for entry-level employees. They won't open a lot of doors, but then again neither will a CCNA these days. I've seen them in entry-level job postings on Dice.

Everyone in IT needs to understand the basics of hardware, and N+ is quite useful in preparing for the 640-821 INTRO exam.

 

True that Comptia are more expensire, usually about $185 (maybe $225) vs $125 for Microsoft and Cisco, BUT there are several other things to consider.

First and foremost, they are easy. Sorry but IMHO all the Comptia Exams I have taken were terribly easy and straighforward. Second, They never expire which is not the case with Cisco and Microsoft to an extent and there is no continuing education either. And in this case, It pads his resume. Remember that we are dealing with non tech people in HR. They only know key words like MCSA/MCSE, CCNA, A+, and so on. Plus, you never take more than two test without updating your certifcation status, and for someone who is tryng to break in it show a progressive knowledge and a drive to continue to learn, which anyone who works in IT will tell you is important.

Dont forget discount vouchers, and with A+/Network+ there are alot of community and adult ed programs that get major discounts on training and testing, in some cases free. I have a friend who built chicken houses for 18/hr and got hurt. Voc Rehab got him hooked up with a community adult ed program, got his A+ and Network+ for next to nothing and turned around and started at 15.hr at a hospitail help desk. Not a terrible cut in pay, and not hot sweaty days or falling off a roof...

 

Okay. So say I want to take the following exams in the following order. Do I need to enroll in a study course or college course for these, or is self study sufficient?

A+
Network+
Security+
CCNA
MCSA or MCSE?
MCDBA


Thanks everyone for the great information and opinions!

Rhonda

 

Those are a good start. You can accomplish these through self-study.

Beyond that, you need to take some time to really think about which way you want to go. Programming, database administration, server administration, and network/telecom administration are quite different disciplines.

And even those categorizations are broad - specialities exist within each. Some are lucrative, some not. Some require different sets of "soft", interpersonal skills.

As I do with everybody looking to enter the IT field, I ask them to first consider what parts of their current, non-IT career they enjoy and investigate how IT is used to support those tasks or functions.