University gives me no time to study networking

Ungadunga911

Im currently a junior at a University that i believe to be worthless in every way possible. Im prior service army and decided to get out and earn a BS degree in computer networking. I was wondering if anyone in the field would be able to give me a heads up if this degree looks worthless or not, i only had 4 netacad courses through cisco so my routing and switching skills are next to nothing, the server classes dont cover allot. I suck at programming so aside from work i spend most of my time learning that just to keep up with the class and at the end of the day i had little to no time practicing anything to do with networking.

Program: Information Technology (Networking), B.S. Semester-by-semester Guide - University of Southern Mississippi - Acalog ACMS

Ertaz

Eh, the classes look solid to me. If you're already a junior, stick it out and get your MBA later. Dude there's always time. You watch any TV? If so say bye to that. Play video games? Tell them you'll catch up with them once you're done with your degree. I'm former Army myself, so if you picture it like basic training and go focus on what you need to focus on, you'll get better. A degree doesn't say that you're a genius or prove a high amount of mastery in a subject. It proves that you can finish what you start. Once your job begins, so does the real learning.

NetworkNewb

A lot of people here have full-time jobs, a family to take care of, and still study... You probably won't get too far saying "you don't have time" here. If someone really wants something they make that a priority over other things. I know my case, that something is usually losing sleep when I'm pursuing certifications.

Like Ertaz said, if you're a junior stick it out. Having that degree with be worth it.

DoubleNNs

There's always time after the degree. I'd say stick w/ the degree and learn as much from the current set of classes as you can - you never know when that obscure fact/skill you learned will become useful in the future, regardless of how unexpected it may seem now. Inn addition to finishing the degree, focus on networking as much as you can with your classmates. Those are valuable connections you're around now that may help shape the trajectory of your career 5, 10, even 20 years from now.

Good luck!

poolmanjim

Finish your degree and don't stress too much about hands on. Few roles hiring recent college grads expect that you have a lot of hands on.

Most people I know who graduate with IT degrees don't get tons of hands on. The general education system doesn't lend to labbing in this case, they are more geared towards "Pass this test" and less towards "Learn how to do this". Its akin to the difference between data and metadata.

As far as time is concerned, I tend to agree with the consensus here. To have time to study and lab, you need to make it. When I work on certifications, I tend to put a lot of my personal time on hold -- I play fewer video games, watch fewer shows, etc. I'm not saying don't have fun at all but you need to balance it. Schedule one or two nights a week as study or one to two nights a week as play time, whichever is the balance you want to strike.

Also, consider that once you finish school you won't be spending as much time studying for college tests and classes and you can redirect that time to studying and improving yourself in the ways you want to.

scaredoftests

build your own lab.

LonerVamp

I think OP may be saying that he is not doing any hands-on networking during the class periods. Not all classes will be hands-on and actionable. Some teach lots of definitions and theory and maybe some demos. Don't sweat it.

You'll get the hands-on experience you need on the job.

scaredoftests

or internships..

Ismaeljrp

Studying full time and working full time is a tough task. Like Ertaz mentions University honestly doesn't have a lot of value in terms of the skills you learn. Nothing goes deep enough or for enough time for you to truly learn it and put to good use. So don't expect the degree to make you a wiz, you have to own your knowledge and learning and do you what you have to do on your own time to really advance your skills.

Complete the degree, looks just as good as any other.