Do you need a degree to become a RHCE?

heidegger

I'm pretty much a newbie, but I'm sort of interested in going the RHCE route. I don't have a college degree. Do you need a degree to become a network administrator?

fleck

It's not necessary but it helps your chances of being hired. Most companies would rather you have a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience.

My true ambition after I get certified is to become a self-employed freelancer. I've tried already but everyone wants a piece of paper of some kind, so certs here we come.

Bl8ckr0uter

heidegger wrote: »

I'm pretty much a newbie, but I'm sort of interested in going the RHCE route. I don't have a college degree. Do you need a degree to become a network administrator?

I would say no but having a BS degree would help your resume. The RHCE has not prereqs redhat.com | Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) but people say it is pretty hard so I would start with the RHCT http://www.redhat.com/certification/rhct or you can study your butt off and do both at the same time. If you fail (or rather don't get enough points) for the RHCE on the exam you may get a RHCT (assuming you get enough points for the RHCT).
There is a linux certification sub forum on this site and I think you would have gotten a better response if you had posted there .

A lot of people would say that RHCE is not worth it because in the linux world ability=king/queen. Personally I have never seen a job mention RHCE or RHCT as a requirement (but they have mentioned Red Hat skill). I made a post about Linux certs and a lot of the hardcore linux heads (I mean this in a good way) say get your ability up and then worry about certs later. This is the mindset I have right now. I will probably go for a Linux cert sometime in 2010 or 2011.

What is you linux background? How much experience do you have with linux? Have you looked at other linux certs such as Linux+ CompTIA Linux+ or Lpic http://www.lpi.org/eng/certification/the_lpic_program.

JDMurray

knwminus wrote: »

I made a post about Linux certs and a lot of the hardcore linux heads (I mean this in a good way) say get your ability up and then worry about certs later.

On the other hand, going for Linux certs is a very good way to help "get your ability up," but don't expect the certs to increase the hiring-appeal your resume very much.

Bl8ckr0uter

JDMurray wrote: »

On the other hand, going for Linux certs is a very good way to help "get your ability up," but don't expect the certs to increase the hiring-appeal your resume very much.

Wouldn't you say it would depend on the cert? Like a RHCE/T would be more marketable than a Linux+? I mean saying a RHCX= 75000 year job but I am saying it would be "worth" more than Linux+?

kimanyd

The RHCE is pretty prestigious, but I wouldn't give the others much clout. The Linux+ for me was basically a bonus for people looking at my Microsoft stuff and being like, "Oh, you have a little Linux experience too." No one is going to hire me as a Linux admin because of that.

heidegger

My plan is to finish my A+ class, pass the A+ test, get some work experience as a tech, then go for a B.S. from online college. But I'm wondering if the big companies want a B.S. from traditional universities. That would limit my options.

heidegger

One, more thing exactly how do you work full time and then take classes? Or do you just try to work part time and take a full class load?

fleck

heidegger wrote: »

One, more thing exactly how do you work full time and then take classes?

Grueling hard work. Immersing yourself in your work and studies. Having no life.

Bl8ckr0uter

heidegger wrote: »

One, more thing exactly how do you work full time and then take classes? Or do you just try to work part time and take a full class load?

I have held a fulltime job and had a fulltime class load (12 credits+). It is not easy but I have a wife to motivate me (in more ways than one) so it helps a whole lot. Try to think about where you want to be in a year, 2 years, 5 years and how/if this degree will help you get there. Just focus on the future and you should be able to make it happen.

Bl8ckr0uter

heidegger wrote: »

My plan is to finish my A+ class, pass the A+ test, get some work experience as a tech, then go for a B.S. from online college. But I'm wondering if the big companies want a B.S. from traditional universities. That would limit my options.

Take it from experience, A+ certification will not get you far, even with a degree in my opinion. What are you overall career goals? Where do you want to go?

heidegger

I'll probably go for more certs like MCSE after a while, but I haven't really thought about it.

Bl8ckr0uter

heidegger wrote: »

I'll probably go for more certs like MCSE after a while, but I haven't really thought about it.

This is something you should think about. Just doing certs to do them is not the way to go. For one it simply cost too much and for two you need to have a centralized idea of why you are getting the certs. There are simply to many certs to just try to pick some out of a hat. Make a plan like " I want to be a MS admin/engineer" and work toward MS certifications. Or "I want to be a Network Engineer" and work towards Cisco and Juniper certifications (this is my choice). It really doesn't matter what you goal is just pick an area and go after it. It will make life easier.

JDMurray

knwminus wrote: »

Wouldn't you say it would depend on the cert? Like a RHCE/T would be more marketable than a Linux+? I mean saying a RHCX= 75000 year job but I am saying it would be "worth" more than Linux+?

The proof is in the postings on major job boards, like dice.com. If you see a lot of employers asking for people with the cert then it's marketable. If few or no employers are asking for the cert, it's not.

Bl8ckr0uter

JDMurray wrote: »

The proof is in the postings on major job boards, like dice.com. If you see a lot of employers asking for people with the cert then it's marketable. If few or no employers are asking for the cert, it's not.

I would agree. There is more of a demand for RH knowledge than RH certification.

heidegger

The thing is I see all the network administrator jobs requiring college degrees on Dice.

kimanyd

heidegger wrote: »

The thing is I see all the network administrator jobs requiring college degrees on Dice.

Posting are also looking for an ideal candidate. You may lack a degree but are stronger in something else. I wouldn't use that as a deterrent for applying, but it should make the importance of a degree obvious.

msteinhilber

fleck wrote: »

Grueling hard work. Immersing yourself in your work and studies. Having no life.

I disagree with having no life. I managed a full-time job, full-time class load, and I have a wife and son that was introduced during my 2nd year of school so he kept us quite busy as well. If you work hard and can develop a study schedule and stick to it and manage your time well, there is no reason you can't enjoy life a bit. You won't be able to do everything outside of work and school that you want, but you don't have to completely deprive yourself - that would be insane.

nel

heidegger wrote: »

One, more thing exactly how do you work full time and then take classes? Or do you just try to work part time and take a full class load?

It does take over alot of your life. I always think its good to have drive and determination to achieve your goals but you've always got to make time to have a life.

fleck

msteinhilber wrote: »

I disagree with having no life. I managed a full-time job, full-time class load, and I have a wife and son that was introduced during my 2nd year of school so he kept us quite busy as well. If you work hard and can develop a study schedule and stick to it and manage your time well, there is no reason you can't enjoy life a bit. You won't be able to do everything outside of work and school that you want, but you don't have to completely deprive yourself - that would be insane.

Well it all depends on the individual and what they are capable of. Some people immerse themselves in their work and studies and forgo life altogether, at least for a few years. With you having a wife and a kid it's pretty much a given that you're going to have to make time for them.

ipconfig.all

You do not need a degree to become a Network Administrator, but it could help you land a Network Administration job. You can become a Network Administrator by I.T Certifications and I.T work experience. Also remember that you will need a few years of solid I.T experience before you can have a job as a Network Administrator. It is rare that someone who has zero years of I.T work experience would be hired as a Network Administrator straight away after their studies. A good route would be to start out as an I.T helpdesk person and move up. Certain certifications from Microsoft like MCSE and Cisco certifications like CCNA would certainly help since a lot of companies use these products. It will be a good idea to build up some personal contacts, it will increase your chances of landing an I.T job.

WE ALL HAVE TO SOMEWHERE IN I.T !!!!

Good luck