I've found the responses to this thread extremely interesting because I feel
they relate directly to experiences in my career path. Here's a perspective
from the other end. I am 23 years old. I am currently a CNE, MCSE, CCNP,
CCDP, and CCIE #6080. I personally don't put a great deal of stock into an
individual solely on certification however I know employers do weigh this
information. I completed my Associates Degree in the Air Force but still
haven't finished my engineering degree. Attaining these certifications
opened many doors for me and allowed me to gain a wealth of experience in
many cutting edge technologies with both enterprise and service provider
companies. I strongly believe these certifications have influenced
employers to give me opportunities that my youth would normally deny. I
also believe that these certifications (and the experience I have gained
because of them) give me an edge when competing for a job against others
without certification or experience. Don't get me wrong. I think it is
very true to say a college degree will last forever and is beneficial in the
long run however I strongly feel my professional career has been greatly
accelerated due to the career path I have chosen. I don't regret putting
industry certifications before college at this time (except for those wild
college parties I've heard about!!). However, I am continuing my education
and plan to finish my degree in a couple of years.
HTH,
-Michael Cohen
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of
Neil Schneider
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2001 3:46 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Way off subject [7:9997]
For what it's worth I agree. College degree first, certifications second.
The B.A./B.S. gives you general employability? in any field.
Neil Schneider
""Allen May"" wrote in message
[EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
> College counts SO much more than certifications (which expire). College
> degrees do not expire. I went through the same thing in college getting
my
> Novell Certification while working and studying college. Just look at it
> now...my college degree still gets me a job but being certified in Novell
> 3.11 doesn't count for much at all these days ;)
>
> Focus on college primarily and if you have free time, work on your Cisco
> certs then. You've got a year and a half along with breaks between
> semesters to do that. Dedication will pay off if you stick with it. You
> may even find a side job while in school working in IT where you have the
> ability to learn hands on Cisco (that's how I learned). Just work your
way
> up after college out of IT and you'll have a much better understanding of
> the network from the bottom up. So many people only know their little
piece
> of networking. They may know Cisco routers better than anyone else around
> but sit them in front of a workstation with an unfamiliar O/S and they
have
> trouble even doing traceroute, netstat, arp, etc to troubleshoot why that
> one workstation can't get on the network.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Con Fused"
> To:
> Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2001 3:06 PM
> Subject: Way off subject [7:9997]
>
>
> > Im in a dilemma. I need some career advice from some experienced
> > professionals and anyone else that has been on the same road.
> > I am 22 years old I have one more test (CIT) to complete my CCNP. I
> have
> > been planning on studying for the CCIE and taking the lab within the
next
> > year and a half but Im not sure now. My problem is that I want to get
my
> > computer science degree and I dont think I can get both and work at the
> same
> > time. I am about 2 and a half years from graduating. I also work 40
> hours
> > a week as a computer tech for an elementary school. I have hands on
> > experience with cisco only in a lab enviroment, not in a production
> network.
> > I feel confident that I want to keep learning networking, but at the
> same
> > time I feel I am missing something by not having a degree and not having
a
> > broader understanding of computer systems.
> > The longer I work and put off school I know it will be harder for myself
> to
> > get the degree.
> >
> > Now I am deciding to go to school full time (after I save up some money)
> and
> > get the degree done.
> > I guess the only reason I feel hesitant about doing this is because I am
> > getting closer to getting the CCIE and that has been my focus for the
last
> > year and a half. But I have been thinking about it and I think having
the
> > degree behind me will help in the long run if I want to go into
management
> > or if I decide to maybe get into network programming (which I know
nothing
> > about but am kinda curious to learn). Part of me wants to get into the
> > field now, but the logical part of me is telling myself to wait and get
> the
> > degree. I dont want to get a cisco related job while going to school
> > because that will postpone myself getting the degree or take away from
my
> > job because I am focusing on school. Any suggestions?
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
Message Posted at:
http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=10016&t=9997
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