Want To Start Over In Computer Networking But Have A Different Bachelor’s Degree?
I have already finished my Bachelor’s of Science Degree Major Hospitality/Tourism, but after working a year realized this is not the field that I really want to do the rest of my life. (I really just fell into that major to get a degree). After doing a little research I found computer networking to be something I really interested in and could see myself doing.
The problem is I don’t know where to begin. I understand that along with courses, I need certifications (A+, CCNA, etc) and experience. I don’t know whether to just start completely over in the field to get adequate knowledge (get an associates) or would it even be possible to major at a university and get a second bachelors degree in computer science? My basic question is what would be the best route to pursue a career in this field considering my educational background? What would be the approximate time that I would be able to finish all certifications and be able to start a career?
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Go straight to you community college, or to cisco
http:cisco.netacad.net
Depending on the school you received your degree from, you may want to look into transferring your degree to a school that offers a BS program in Information Technology or Computer Informations Systems. Most of your core classes will be the same, and I would imagine elective credits would transfer as well. This would get you well on your way to a second Bachelors as opposed to just getting an Associates. I mention those two specific degree programs because they are more focused on the networking side of the house, where a degree in computer science is more focused on computer programming and software development.
I can tell you that from my perspective as an IT supervisor, I am far more interested in experience than anything else. You can show me a degree, and certifications, which indicates to me that you have enthusiasm and a genuine interest and have attained the minimum skill sets necessary to perform the duties of a systems administrator, and that is great to have… But the bottom line is, none of that matters in a real world scenario. If I ask you to troubleshoot an internet connectivity problem between an ISA server and a workstation in an adjacent building, you’d better know what you’re doing, and you better act fast. Certifications and degrees don’t teach that… It’s something you get as you learn the art of networking.
All that said, completion of a second bachelors in IT or CIS should take 18 – 24 months. If certifications are part of the degree program, then you can attain them in parallel with your degree.
Something else to consider is that most employers don’t really care what your degree is in. Here is what a degree means to me… It means that you have the drive and motivation to complete a long term goal, and you are serious about success. So with that in mind, you may consider persuing the certifications and sticking with your current degree just to show you graduated from college.
You come in armed with a degree (in anything), along with MCSE and CCNA certifications, and I would give you a serious look as a jr. administrator with no experience. Those two certs are key to a good knowledge base to start from. MCSE will give you a strong background in the operating system and protocol concepts used in the Microsoft environment, and CCNA will give you a strong background in TCP/IP, the OSI reference model, and routing. Getting the certifications can take a while if you need training. Classes for each exam can be up to 6 weeks long, and to achieve MCSE and CCNA you’ll need to take 9 exams total.
I almost forgot, there is a MCSA cert now which only requires 4 exams, where MCSE requires 7. MCSA can get you in the door. MCSE can get you a substantial pay raise.
MCSA and CCNA with their respective classes would take a motivated person roughly 9 – 12 months to complete.
If you go to this URL – http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/si...
It’s a great resource to point you in the right direction on getting your Microsoft certifications. Everything from certifications available, exams for those certs, where you can get the training, practice exams, and how to register and take the exams. Great stuff!
On the Cisco end, go here – http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le...
There are tons of links that will get you on the right path to get CCNA certified.
As you can probably see by checking out those web sites, the continuing education available via certification paths is pretty broad. The higher the level of cert you hold, the more “in demand” you become.
As mentioned though, I would start with MCSA and CCNA and work your way up from there.
Once you have about 5 years of experience you can start looking for more advanced positions such as Sr. Administrator / Analyst, etc… There is a lot of money to be made in this field, so never sell yourself short. I like to think we are the doctors of the new age. The internet and computer networks are the heart of the corporate world.
I wish you the best of luck. I love what I do for a living! Make the most of it!
You can do a post graduade degree i.e masters