I need some advice from this community

[captmorgan72]

I was laid off from my job seven months ago but was fortunate enough to qualify for the Work Force Investment Act. This federal program pays for my education but only covers one major. I actually didn't know this until I told my case worker I wanted to double major in computer support and networking. He informed me that WIA will not pay for two majors, only one.

So my question is this. Which major do you guys/gals think I should take, computer support or networking? My thinking is that computer support can be outsourced very easily, but networking not so much. I am currently enrolled and finishing my first semester at a local college. I already declared a major in computer support with the intention of double majoring in my second semester, but now I learned that WIA will not play for it, I am contemplating my options.

[BentonGrey]

Hey CM, I'm sorry to hear about that man!  You're looking in a good direction in your education, though.  From my, admittedly very limited, experience with the tech industry, it seems that networking is something that is in pretty high demand.  One of my best friend is in the tech field, something of a jack of all trades, and he has spent a great deal of time with networking lately.  Everybody seems to need someone who knows what they're doing, and nobody seems to know what they're doing.  Hopefully someone who is more knolwedgable than myself will be able to give you better advice, but I will say this.  My friend has been successful because he has always worked very hard to learn everything he can and be as well versed as possible.  He's always impressed his employers because, even if he doesn't know how to solve a problem that comes up, he always teaches himself what he needs to know.  That willingness to learn is, as I understand it, pretty big.

[thalaw2]

I would agree that Networking and MIS are the way to go.  The push now is for more connectivity.

[captmorgan72]

I had a long discussion with my CSS (computer support specialist) teacher tonight after class about this. He and some senior students assured me that a CSS degree coupled with networking certs, would give me what I need for work in networking. He (my teacher) told me about former students of his that went out and got there CCIEs after graduating and had little trouble finding work. Basically, they were telling me that I don't need to change my major to work in networking, if that's the IT work I want to do.

I know some of you here are teachers, so what do you think? Advice from a teacher has to be legit right?

[thalaw2]

Work is all about certs anyway in IT...so it seems you got good advice either way. 

[BentonGrey]

That sounds like good advice to me CM.  A teacher who is following up with his students and knows what goes on outside of the campus is likely to put you on the right track.

[lugaru]

My impression is that a job in networking is fairly secure, not something you can outsource or pawn off to day labor. Also speaking of federal programs it is possible that we will see a huge push to updating this nations broadband infrastructure, so that might be something to keep an eye on.

[BlueBard]

Ok, speaking as someone in the industry who does not have a degree...

If you want to do "regular" IT work, the degree is pretty much required to get any kind of a decent job.  You can get a good job without one if you're fortunate, but it's harder and you will not get the best positions.  I am locked out of advancement at my current job because I don't have a degree.

Networking is a great field.  Since I work with DNS and DHCP mainly and have CCNA-level knowledge of routing and switching, that's the field I'm in.  But I must warn you.  You will need to be able to invest a LOT of money to qualify for a CCIE and I understand that it is not easy to get that certification.  I know people who've gotten their CCIE's and I know people who simply aren't able to get their CCIE.  Without a degree or a CCIE, your prospects are going to be more limited than you might think.  It's not necessarily all about certs.

You could get a networking degree and then get Cisco and Microsoft-certified.  Some schools have a networking program that allows you to earn your CCNA as part of your coursework.

I will say that when I hear "computer support", I think "helpdesk".  It's a job, but it takes a rare breed to do well at it and enjoy it.  The good ones are good with computers and good with people.

[Tawodi Osdi]

I would recommend the networking path, but like others have said, certification is probably more important than degrees, and computer fields are good for people who are good at self study.  I do like the idea that your are actually going after a full degree though.  I have technical school training int Computer Repair and Networking, and even with Comp/TIA A+ certification, it had not been very useful, but to be fair, I graduated after the dot com implosion which played a huge part.

[captmorgan72]

I have technical school training int Computer Repair and Networking, and even with Comp/TIA A+ certification, it had not been very useful

Thanks all for your input, but this comment does make me nervous.

[lugaru]

I have technical school training int Computer Repair and Networking, and even with Comp/TIA A+ certification, it had not been very useful

Thanks all for your input, but this comment does make me nervous.

Dont worry too much, I have 3 friends who are making really good money in IT, and all three never finished college... two are certified and one is finally doing it because his company got bought up and when they re-hired him they asked him to get certified. IT is much more about practical knowledge than education.

[BlueBard]

I have technical school training int Computer Repair and Networking, and even with Comp/TIA A+ certification, it had not been very useful

Thanks all for your input, but this comment does make me nervous.

It should.  I have held everything from helpdesk to network admin jobs and nobody ever cared if I had an A+ cert or not. (I don't.)  I suppose somebody must look at it, or that would have been phased out by now.

Now Network+ does or did count toward a prerequisite for one of the low-end MS certs, as I recall.

But you should understand that nobody in the industry values certifications over experience.  Too many people have gotten certified on paper without really knowing what the heck they're doing.  The certifications may get you in the recruiter's door, but they won't necessarily get you a job without experience to back them up.  I'm not saying they aren't worthwhile, but you need to be realistic about it.

[captmorgan72]

That explains the value of internship, something all my IT teachers tell us to do.

[hoss20]

I have to agree with BlueBard regarding A+ certification. A+ certification is for computer technicians (installing and repairing hardware). If you're looking at networking or some sort of call center position where someone is needing help accessing their e-mail, it really doesn't matter if you know how to install a hard drive. I've seen job postings where the job description detailed a need for experience in networking, software installation, Active Directory, and so on, yet required an A+ certification and no mention of a Network+ certification. I guess I'm just saying that even though A+ may not apply to what you're getting into, you may still need it because there are some employers who just think that you have to have it.
I also have to agree that experience is a major factor. Of course, you run into the old Catch-22, "I can't get a job without experience, but I can't get experience without a job." In this case, having a cert will at least get you in the door. It happened for me a few years ago. I qualified for tuition for training through WIA and took courses at a local CCI Training Center. I received a Microsoft certification (MCP) and a Network+ certification. Within two months after finishing, I found employment directly due to my training. My employer used the CCI database looking to fill a position.

[thalaw2]

I remember when I was doing IT (many many moons ago) I laughed off A+ certification because I met too many guys with who didn't seem to know "jack".  Sure they could find their way around the inside of a computer but it didn't seem as if they really knew things in and out and what you could and couldn't touch/tweak.  I got MCP but never used it.  I became an English teacher instead...life is strange like that.  A new IT school was just built next door and I'm thinking I might go for a cert class or 2 just as a hobby.