technology computer degrees, programs, certifications - Page 4

HoLoCroN · 03-19-2004, 02:38 PM

What I did was diversify my degree.

I got an associates in computer science (concentrating in Networking)

A bachelors in business administration

and am thinking of working on a masters in education.....

This will give leverage to get into any field available.

Computers......
Business........
Education......

Heck, with a masters in education.. I could go out and teach your networking coursed part time... while I keep my sys. admin position...

Who knows, I think the wise thing to do is diversify, the market is very competitive and gone are the days of specialists in just one thing... Now people have to be adaptable and able to work on multiple tasks.... not just all networking or hardware but everything. A little programming, a little networking, a little systems administration, a little hardware. once you can offer these skills, you will become more competitive in a marketplace that has already been saturated...

killians45 · 04-16-2004, 10:03 PM

Well, yes there are STILL Jobs out there. Who ever said the MSCE tests are easy were VERY misinformed, UNLESS you cheat and goto the "we'll teach you the answers to the tests" schools. Trust me, a friend went and they REALLY teach you the answers, among the normal curriculum. Anyhow, the tests are NOT easy. I finally have my MCSE. My electives were for Active Directory Design and Network Infrastructure design. Those tests, for example, have 50 questions each, in 5 parts of 10 questions and each scenario is over 2 pages. They are not multiple guess. You could have 10 choices, and to get the answer correct you need to chose 8 of them. Just like some of the Cisco (practice tests I've done only), some of the questions answers are all correct. You have to choose the BEST approach.

As far as job wise, dont hesitate to put a resume were you are underqualified!!!! Trust me, this current job was posted for someone with experience in VBasic 6.0, SQL/TRANS, HTML, .NET, CISCO, MCSE/networking, CIMBasic/CIMplicity, GE FANUC PLC series and ladder logic, and standard hardware support to also include running conduit and electrical systems. Well, I got this job. They put all that in to find someone who is CLOSE to this, knowing full well that not everyone is going to know all this crap... especially considering CIMBasic is not a well known program. So I pretty much had to start learning some program'n, but learn I did. Learned SQL to some degree, too. Point is, dont NOT put in a resume because you're underqualified. Thats just what they desire, which MAY be out of the realm of possibility, just think of it as fishing high. Letting people know what you want, and then sorting through to get whats available. Anyhow, good luck to you all in the job hunt! I'm working on a few other certs. Cisco and Citrix.

MCP
MCSA
MCSE

wead · 10-13-2004, 11:29 AM

its all about networking - making connections in the biz. I am a systems admin I have NO certs, NO degree, I just happened to know the CEO. :X. Although you should get degrees for the money. If I had a degree Id be making 4x what I am.

Tech-Jobs.com · 10-18-2004, 12:04 AM

Old thread.... but technology jobs are slowly making a rebound, but it is still a little foggy to determine which jobs are the best. Also, 'high tech' jobs definition is becoming a little misconstrued.

I have seen simple jobs such as cashiers at supermarkets be described as 'high tech jobs' just because the cash registers are computerized...lol

Sherndon · 10-19-2004, 08:49 AM

Almost sad that this is the END. Thanks for all the info this will definitely help me make some decisions on where my focus will be in my CS degree.

VICone · 10-19-2004, 09:26 AM

It sucks that I'm in school right now studying for my A+ and N+.

Hearing that IT jobs are scarce doesn't make me feel good about my future.

..eh but I guess an education is an education right.

hambo_12 · 10-26-2004, 08:26 PM

One quick question. I am currently employed as a junior in the company I work for. I work in IS Support (thats what they call it). My boss has asked me if I wish to do a degree thorugh distance education while working. I am very keen to do it. Does anyone have any comments on this? Have you done the same?

I know this is a stupid question, but how hard would it be to study at home and work during the day?

Larry · 10-27-2004, 01:23 AM

If someone is paying for your education... by all means take it!!!

Since its your boss, I HOPE he/she understands that school takes time and to do well in school, somedays you need extra time.

study at home/work during the day... Only you can answer that question. Just plan out your days, imagine your doing both.

it takes a big commitment to do both... if your committed, you can do it.

good luck

hambo_12 · 10-27-2004, 04:18 PM

thanks yeah I would never turn down an offer like this!

I know it will be hard, but he will allow me to study while on the job, so I think I will manage.

MrIT · 11-16-2004, 05:35 AM

Not sure what you're interested in specifically Larry, but I can tell you what I did...

I got a Bachelors degree in Information Technology which gave me a good overview of Networking, databases, programming & project management.

Then I chose the specific field in IT that I really wanted to do & I am now working on my masters degree in it.

I chose to specialize on security.... it's harder to outsource/offshore security... especially since I want to work for the government.

Security is a really hot field right now... you might consider specializing in it.

If not security then, a Bachelors in IT & then getting some more subject matter specific certifications to show your specific skills off to potential employers would be good.

Hope I helped atleast a little.

04-16-2004, 10:03 PM	#32 (permalink)
killians45 Wizard Techie Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 3,248	Well, yes there are STILL Jobs out there. Who ever said the MSCE tests are easy were VERY misinformed, UNLESS you cheat and goto the "we'll teach you the answers to the tests" schools. Trust me, a friend went and they REALLY teach you the answers, among the normal curriculum. Anyhow, the tests are NOT easy. I finally have my MCSE. My electives were for Active Directory Design and Network Infrastructure design. Those tests, for example, have 50 questions each, in 5 parts of 10 questions and each scenario is over 2 pages. They are not multiple guess. You could have 10 choices, and to get the answer correct you need to chose 8 of them. Just like some of the Cisco (practice tests I've done only), some of the questions answers are all correct. You have to choose the BEST approach. As far as job wise, dont hesitate to put a resume were you are underqualified!!!! Trust me, this current job was posted for someone with experience in VBasic 6.0, SQL/TRANS, HTML, .NET, CISCO, MCSE/networking, CIMBasic/CIMplicity, GE FANUC PLC series and ladder logic, and standard hardware support to also include running conduit and electrical systems. Well, I got this job. They put all that in to find someone who is CLOSE to this, knowing full well that not everyone is going to know all this crap... especially considering CIMBasic is not a well known program. So I pretty much had to start learning some program'n, but learn I did. Learned SQL to some degree, too. Point is, dont NOT put in a resume because you're underqualified. Thats just what they desire, which MAY be out of the realm of possibility, just think of it as fishing high. Letting people know what you want, and then sorting through to get whats available. Anyhow, good luck to you all in the job hunt! I'm working on a few other certs. Cisco and Citrix. MCP MCSA MCSE __________________ If you argue with an idiot he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. I am not a fast writer. I am not a slow writer. I am a half-fast writer. -Robert Asprin

10-13-2004, 11:29 AM	#33 (permalink)
wead Junior Techie Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 97	its all about networking - making connections in the biz. I am a systems admin I have NO certs, NO degree, I just happened to know the CEO. :X. Although you should get degrees for the money. If I had a degree Id be making 4x what I am. __________________ -Download wead antivirus today using your brain!-

10-19-2004, 09:26 AM	#36 (permalink)
VICone Super Techie Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 269	It sucks that I'm in school right now studying for my A+ and N+. Hearing that IT jobs are scarce doesn't make me feel good about my future. ..eh but I guess an education is an education right. __________________ MCSA, MCP (070-210, 070-218, 070-215), A+, Network+, Security+ MySpace \| MCMCSE \| Brainbench : Free Certifications

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-19-2004, 02:38 PM	#31 (permalink)
HoLoCroN Monster Techie Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Plant City, FL Posts: 1,293	What I did was diversify my degree. I got an associates in computer science (concentrating in Networking) A bachelors in business administration and am thinking of working on a masters in education..... This will give leverage to get into any field available. Computers...... Business........ Education...... Heck, with a masters in education.. I could go out and teach your networking coursed part time... while I keep my sys. admin position... Who knows, I think the wise thing to do is diversify, the market is very competitive and gone are the days of specialists in just one thing... Now people have to be adaptable and able to work on multiple tasks.... not just all networking or hardware but everything. A little programming, a little networking, a little systems administration, a little hardware. once you can offer these skills, you will become more competitive in a marketplace that has already been saturated...

10-18-2004, 12:04 AM	#34 (permalink)
Tech-Jobs.com Newb Techie Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 11	Old thread.... but technology jobs are slowly making a rebound, but it is still a little foggy to determine which jobs are the best. Also, 'high tech' jobs definition is becoming a little misconstrued. I have seen simple jobs such as cashiers at supermarkets be described as 'high tech jobs' just because the cash registers are computerized...lol

10-19-2004, 08:49 AM	#35 (permalink)
Sherndon Newb Techie Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 10	Almost sad that this is the END. Thanks for all the info this will definitely help me make some decisions on where my focus will be in my CS degree.

10-26-2004, 08:26 PM	#37 (permalink)
hambo_12 Newb Techie Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 29	One quick question. I am currently employed as a junior in the company I work for. I work in IS Support (thats what they call it). My boss has asked me if I wish to do a degree thorugh distance education while working. I am very keen to do it. Does anyone have any comments on this? Have you done the same? I know this is a stupid question, but how hard would it be to study at home and work during the day?

10-27-2004, 01:23 AM	#38 (permalink)
Larry Administrator Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,428	If someone is paying for your education... by all means take it!!! Since its your boss, I HOPE he/she understands that school takes time and to do well in school, somedays you need extra time. study at home/work during the day... Only you can answer that question. Just plan out your days, imagine your doing both. it takes a big commitment to do both... if your committed, you can do it. good luck

10-27-2004, 04:18 PM	#39 (permalink)
hambo_12 Newb Techie Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 29	thanks yeah I would never turn down an offer like this! I know it will be hard, but he will allow me to study while on the job, so I think I will manage.

11-16-2004, 05:35 AM	#40 (permalink)
MrIT Newb Techie Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2	Not sure what you're interested in specifically Larry, but I can tell you what I did... I got a Bachelors degree in Information Technology which gave me a good overview of Networking, databases, programming & project management. Then I chose the specific field in IT that I really wanted to do & I am now working on my masters degree in it. I chose to specialize on security.... it's harder to outsource/offshore security... especially since I want to work for the government. Security is a really hot field right now... you might consider specializing in it. If not security then, a Bachelors in IT & then getting some more subject matter specific certifications to show your specific skills off to potential employers would be good. Hope I helped atleast a little.