Looking for Recommendations

matradley

Good day all!

I have been posting and reading this forum for a number of years now. Originally, I started to follow this forum when I was in college and studying for my A+. I trust and respect many of you and that is why I am posting in this section today to look for opinions. Here is some of my background:

I am a college graduate of a program called "Computer Systems Technician. Link -> Algonquin College - Computer Systems Technician (Co-op) (Pembroke Campus) . Essentially, I graduated, with honours, from the program in December 2008. I have been very active in my profession and have been to a number of interviews and have held a couple IT contracts. Basically, here is the general timeline of what I have been doing since 2008-Dec:

2008
Dec - Graduated from CST

2009
Feb - Contract position as a Computer Equipment Technician for the Department of National Defense (Rollouts)
Jun - Contract ended on 30-Jun
Jul - Contract position as a Operation Support Specialist for the Department of National Defense (level 2 support)

2010
Feb/Mar - Still with the DND as an OSS level 1
Jul - Contract ends

I have been to a number of interviews with the government (Canada). I am sitting in a number of qualified pools awaiting them to pull me from the pool for placement.

Now with that all said, I have considered going back to school to get a degree. It seems that my contract will probably not be extended and I will be out of work. The bonus to getting a degree is that it would open more doors. The program I was thinking was a joint program between Algonquin College and Carleton University called the Bachelors of Information Technology Networking - Bachelor of Information Technology.

What do you guys think?

Hyper-Me

A Bachelors would definitely help, but I think you also need to keep up (and maybe pickup) the pace on your certs. Lab and learn as much as you can and dont quit until you are where you want to be.

People always ask "how do i break into x, y, or z positions in IT?". It comes down to A lot of hard work and dedication...and a little luck.

brad-

Depending on your age and family situation...if you're single, finish the degree.

matradley

Gentlemen, I have applied for the university program. Now the waiting game to see if they even want me.

brad-

matradley wrote: »

Gentlemen, I have applied for the university program. Now the waiting game to see if they even want me.

if you are at least average intelligence, colleges are a business. They will gladly accept your money. The only exception to that is if it is some kind of prestigious university with strict acceptance policies.

matradley

brad- wrote: »

if you are at least average intelligence, colleges are a business. They will gladly accept your money. The only exception to that is if it is some kind of prestigious university with strict acceptance policies.

I hope so! The application cost nearly $200. $125 for applications with the Ontario University Application Centre and $58 to Carleton to process the application. With that said, the next step is to match some of the 1st year courses with my diploma program.

Kaminsky

You have to pay to apply to give them sh*t loads of money for several years ??? Oh they have that sussed don't they.

matradley

Kaminsky wrote: »

You have to pay to apply to give them sh*t loads of money for several years ??? Oh they have that sussed don't they.

That's what we do here in Canada. We like to pay out of our <insert word [plural] here>.

matradley

Update:

I did get accepted into the program. Now I just need to work on financing!