College Diploma vs Certificates to get foot in the door

Good day everyone,

I'm 24 and currently working in logistics but recently decided to change my career. I have no background in IT field but always liked computers, so I decided to get a Network+ certificate juts to see if that's something that might get me interested. While preparing for the exam I found the basic concepts very interesting and decided to make a step further. I passed btw and now preparing for security+

So now I have two possible options:

1. Keep taking certificates that hold some weight in the industry. Security+, probably A+ (not sure if I need it, but heard it can help getting a desktop support position for a start), CISCO and microsoft. Then try to get a postion somewhere.

Pros:
-Flexibility, can keep on working while taking certificates.
-Can concentrate on areas of interest
-Cheaper than colleges

Cons:
Not sure how competitve my resume will look like without any tech degree...

2. Go to college for a 2 or 3 years diploma. Here in Toronto we have a Seneca College, very reputable place. The program called Computer Systems Technologies. It basically covers all foundations, Linux, networking, a bit if hardware (A+ level). For a thrid year they also teach security and ethical hacking. There is also a co-op option.

Pros:
-Chance to make good connections. Professors there are known to be industry veterans.
-Co-op, from what I know IBM hires lots of students from Seneca for summer terms.
-possibility to further a diploma into a degree which obviosly will look nice on my resume

Cons:
-While I can take first 2-3 semesters part time as evening courses and keep working I will need to quit my job at the certain point if I want to take advantage of Co-op.
-there really no way to fast-track the diploma. If I'll be taking 3 years diploma I will probably be done in 3.5-4 years since I'm planning to take whatever I can part time.

So what you guys think would be a better option? Any experience getting a job without a formal degree?

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Comments

ThomasITguy

Get your A+ and get a Help Desk role job.. That is the best way to get your foot in the door. Once you get your foot in the door, then you can get the degree. Certs help get your foot in the door, a degree AND Certs keep you on the way to moving up... Also if you want to, look into contract jobs with the Govt... a Security clearance will get you jobs that most people wont get...

networker050184

You can find a job without a degree. If you have the opportunity to get one though I certainly wouldn't pass it up. It's only going to get more difficult to go back and get it and the more things you can put on your resume the better.

markulous

That's why I recommend going to WGU so you're doing both. One of your first courses can be a CompTIA cert so you can get that on your resume.

beads

Thinking in longer terms than finding just a job or do you want a long term career? I have known and hired people without degrees but never promoted any of them much past advanced tech or analyst. If you don't mind doing the drudgery of lower level tech then by all means go strictly for certifications.

Having a degree hopefully means being able to think a bit more out of the box, read and write higher level reports past: Yeah, I completed those tasks you assigned me in the morning.

- b/eads

joshmadakor

markulous wrote: »

That's why I recommend going to WGU so you're doing both. One of your first courses can be a CompTIA cert so you can get that on your resume.

+1 for WGU if you end up being dead-set on getting a degree. Having a degree is great, but it's definitely not mandatory.

kajohn

beads wrote: »

Thinking in longer terms than finding just a job or do you want a long term career? I have known and hired people without degrees but never promoted any of them much past advanced tech or analyst. If you don't mind doing the drudgery of lower level tech then by all means go strictly for certifications.

Having a degree hopefully means being able to think a bit more out of the box, read and write higher level reports past: Yeah, I completed those tasks you assigned me in the morning.

- b/eads

I have a degree, but it's in business... So I definitely know how to write and read:) Does non-tech degrees even matter in IT?

kajohn

Is there any way a person like me can join WGU? From what I understand they require either a degree or experience...

fmitawaps

Although a bachelors degree is good, in IT, the appropriate certifications and real world experience are better.

rj1790

kajohn wrote: »

Is there any way a person like me can join WGU? From what I understand they require either a degree or experience...

26 years old just got accepted into WGU with only a A+ cert and some college courses. I think this is what you are looking for if you are motivated .