Start my career and/or degree?

wico216

I'm interested in a career in IT. I'm computer savvy, build my own computer(water cooled/O.C./upgrades) and can do basic troubleshooting (if not google is my best friend).

My question would be should i start a degree at WGU to get all the certs or should i keep working on getting my A+,look for a job in the field and then start my degree?

What would you recommend me do?
I'm open to other suggestions.

Iristheangel

Most of the people here are doing both. That's what I did. If you're going the WGU route anyways, you'll be able to set your own times to study after work. I think you'll find the balance of schoolwork and work is actually doable

wico216

Yeah I'm seriously thinking to go the WGU route, currently enrolled at a B&M college for software development but I feel that is taking me nowhere. Plus all the graduates that I know are unemployed and having a hard time getting interviews. I feel that with WGU even the degree doesnt get me an interview right the certs will.

puertorico1985

I would recommend WGU. Although, I did not go to that school, (they were in the running for my graduate degree) it is a great way to set your own hours and earn certifications while chipping away at your degree. Employers want experience above all else, with certifications being a close second.

Jon_Cisco

I would take some time to think about why they are not getting interviews.
If you local college is not getting you in the door you might not have much luck with an online school either. All companies need to fill positions at times but make sure your making an informed decision before changing direction. If you are not working now then the easy answer is try to find a job. If your employed already then you have do work out the timing that fits your bills.

I am currently working full time in a different industry so I have decided to continue working while I pursue an Associates in Computer Science. Once that degree is complete I think I will be forced to switch to an IT position to gain needed experience.

Good Luck!

boobobobobob

My personal opinion is you should get your degree and that should be the highest priority thing you do. If I had to choose right now between keeping all my certifications and my degree, i would choose my degree in a heartbeat. If you can do both that's great - but your degree should be your highest priority.

shauncarter1

wico216 wrote: »

Yeah I'm seriously thinking to go the WGU route, currently enrolled at a B&M college for software development but I feel that is taking me nowhere. Plus all the graduates that I know are unemployed and having a hard time getting interviews. I feel that with WGU even the degree doesnt get me an interview right the certs will.

I'm with Iris on this one roll with both. In my opinion you need both to get the interviews and then there are other factors involved in ultimately getting the job. A great personality can work wonders even when others things are lacking during the interview. If you want to go the support router I would move away from the software development degree, but definitely do the degree and certs at the same time.

CyberfiSecurity

I would recommend getting a job first, even though a help desk job. The majority of IT professionals started as technical support or desktop job then move up the ladder. Once you land a job, then enroll into Western Governors University program. Another alternative school is Fort Hays State University, no certification but cheap in tuition. Then start working on your certification. I have been in the IT industries more than 12 years, but I started work at the age of 17 and continuing to earn my college degrees and IT certifications.

BTW, I do not work or attend at Western Governors University and/or Fort Hays State University.

Good Luck!

wico216

Thanks for all the replys.

I think because of financial reasons I will start looking for a help desk/anything IT related job if I can and after I get settled I will start WGU before the end of the year.

puertorico1985

That's a great plan. Get the experience and then back it up with a degree and some certs.

Best of luck in finding a position.

DoubleNNs

I think you should get one cert under your belt (whichever cert you decide on) and use that as leverage into an IT role. Then, see if it's possible w/ time available to do both the new job and WGU simultaneously.