Degree and Certs..

simtech

Hi folks, I have an MBA, BS in Management, and AA in Electronic Tech and been thinking of going to IT field. Currently trying to get AA in Computer Science from community college since I already have the GE portion, I only need to take the core classes for CS degree. Also, I'm getting close to take the A+ exam, been studying for about a month now. What I'm wondering is should I disclose my graduate degree when I apply for entry level tech position. I have a decent job in facilities management now, but going to steer toward technical field. I work with IT very closely since we deal with new hires, etc...so I'm going to use that as my experience for basic PC set up and troubleshooting. What do you guys think as the best way for the transition to IT?

Bl8ckr0uter

simtech wrote: »

Hi folks, I have an MBA, BS in Management, and AA in Electronic Tech and been thinking of going to IT field. Currently trying to get AA in Computer Science from community college since I already have the GE portion, I only need to take the core classes for CS degree. Also, I'm getting close to take the A+ exam, been studying for about a month now. What I'm wondering is should I disclose my graduate degree when I apply for entry level tech position. I have a decent job in facilities management now, but going to steer toward technical field. I work with IT very closely since we deal with new hires, etc...so I'm going to use that as my experience for basic PC set up and troubleshooting. What do you guys think as the best way for the transition to IT?

WELCOME!!!!

I think that the AA in CS is a waste of time. You have more than enough education to get you going. What type of facilities management? I mean, what do you mean by that? At my DC we have a facilities manager who works with the HVAC, Power, Chilled Water, UPS and things of the like for several DCs. He gets PAID. I personally think that you should get away from PC support if you already have a MBA, unless that's what you want to do. Unless you want to go make 8-12 dollars at geek squad, I think you should try to come into IT as something a bit more specialized.

How much IT knowledge do you have? A(Net, Sev, Sec)+ are entry level certs that will qualify you for entry level pay. Can you afford to make about 25-35K? Can you live off of that? Do you want to? IT is going to be tough for at least the first couple of years. This is something that you really need to think about.

Have you thought about management (project or otherwise)? Since you have a MBA, you may be able to get a decent management job (although most people, including me, will say the best managers come through the ranks, that isn't a nessessity). Have you thought about trying to move into the IT department where you are working?

Paul Boz

Wait, so you have an MBA but you want to get the A+ and learn entry-level IT work? Can we trade lives real quick so I can get richer with your MBA? I'll even get you an A+ before we trade up.

erpadmin

You have a degree in Management. Your money is best spent getting certs. A+, Network+ is a good start.

Adding a MBA on your resume for an entry-level IT job like helpdesk could help/hurt you depending on who's looking, but the BS can never hurt.

I would definitely concentrate on certs, in your situation, as opposed to a AA in CS or whatnot.

simtech

knwminus wrote: »

WELCOME!!!!

I think that the AA in CS is a waste of time. You have more than enough education to get you going. What type of facilities management? I mean, what do you mean by that? At my DC we have a facilities manager who works with the HVAC, Power, Chilled Water, UPS and things of the like for several DCs. He gets PAID. I personally think that you should get away from PC support if you already have a MBA, unless that's what you want to do. Unless you want to go make 8-12 dollars at geek squad, I think you should try to come into IT as something a bit more specialized.

How much IT knowledge do you have? A(Net, Sev, Sec)+ are entry level certs that will qualify you for entry level pay. Can you afford to make about 25-35K? Can you live off of that? Do you want to? IT is going to be tough for at least the first couple of years. This is something that you really need to think about.

Have you thought about management (project or otherwise)? Since you have a MBA, you may be able to get a decent management job (although most people, including me, will say the best managers come through the ranks, that isn't a nessessity). Have you thought about trying to move into the IT department where you are working?

Thanks for the response.

I'm an FM for corporate office (Maintenance repair, space planning, etc) and have experience HVAC and Data Center (Fire, Life, and Safety, Raised Floor, etc) at previous jobs. Been doing these for over ten years, I guess I'm getting sick of it and thinking about the future of this field. I feel that IT field has more opportunities (to be programmer, network, security, etc).. It will be way more pay then what I'm getting now with the same years of experience for IT field.

I see what you are saying about entry level IT pay like tech/geek squad, etc, and I want to be specialized like programming or database, etc.. however, it seems that I need some basic CS classes to be a programmer. For me to get an AA in CS, it's only total of 6 classes, that's it. I'll get that done in a year or so.

So in the mean time, I'm trying to get A+, Net+, etc, just to show that I have basic computer stuffs, even though I know how build PC,etc. At least getting something with professional certification.

Unfortunately, there is no IT opening in the current company. Lastly, I'm aware of the financial situation with starting in IT, I have some saving, but I need to transition effectively, I hope

To be honest, I'm not rushing it since I'm making decent currently, at least it'll help to pay for my classes and certifications.

simtech

Paul Boz wrote: »

Wait, so you have an MBA but you want to get the A+ and learn entry-level IT work? Can we trade lives real quick so I can get richer with your MBA? I'll even get you an A+ before we trade up.

LOL, that's what a lot of my friends were telling me.
I guess the A+ stuff just to show that I have some professional certs. As mentioned in the different response, I want to be specialized like programming, but there is a path to it.

simtech

erpadmin wrote: »

You have a degree in Management. Your money is best spent getting certs. A+, Network+ is a good start.

Adding a MBA on your resume for an entry-level IT job like helpdesk could help/hurt you depending on who's looking, but the BS can never hurt.

I would definitely concentrate on certs, in your situation, as opposed to a AA in CS or whatnot.

yeah, that's what I was thinking too, since the MBA will be useful down the road for management position. Will be getting more certs for sure....

j_griffith

I suggest your look into Security+, PMP Certification, then ISC2 Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional. Take the programming courses, then find an opportunitie to work with a development team on a few projects. With these certs, your MBA, and development experience, you should be able to find some opportunities managing development activities if that is of interest to you.

Brainstorm the variety of positions you have an interest in. then define the skills/education/certification/and experience needed for each. then pursue those that impact the most positions. Specialize where your stronger interest lie.

Good Fortune!

Everyone

Help Desk and A+ are not the path to programming. It's not too hard to teach yourself a little programming. Try it and see if you like it. I don't mind programming, but it's not something I'd ever want to do as a full time job. This is why I'm looking into a degree in Information Systems and NOT a Computer Science degree.

Programmers don't fix PCs, or servers, or networks, etc. They write software.

If you like management, and just want to move over into IT Management, and you think you need more school than you already have to do it, why not a graduate certificate in Information Systems or Computer Science? That would fit better with your MBA than going back for another AS.

afcyung

Everyone wrote: »

Help Desk and A+ are not the path to programming. It's not too hard to teach yourself a little programming. Try it and see if you like it. I don't mind programming, but it's not something I'd ever want to do as a full time job. This is why I'm looking into a degree in Information Systems and NOT a Computer Science degree.

Programmers don't fix PCs, or servers, or networks, etc. They write software.

If you like management, and just want to move over into IT Management, and you think you need more school than you already have to do it, why not a graduate certificate in Information Systems or Computer Science? That would fit better with your MBA than going back for another AS.

+1
This is good advice in my opinion. You will be better served focusing on your management knowledge and experience then trying to get into entry level IT working on computers and HD tickets.

filkenjitsu

simtech wrote: »

Thanks for the response.

I'm an FM for corporate office (Maintenance repair, space planning, etc) and have experience HVAC and Data Center (Fire, Life, and Safety, Raised Floor, etc) at previous jobs. Been doing these for over ten years, I guess I'm getting sick of it and thinking about the future of this field. I feel that IT field has more opportunities (to be programmer, network, security, etc).. It will be way more pay then what I'm getting now with the same years of experience for IT field.

I see what you are saying about entry level IT pay like tech/geek squad, etc, and I want to be specialized like programming or database, etc.. however, it seems that I need some basic CS classes to be a programmer. For me to get an AA in CS, it's only total of 6 classes, that's it. I'll get that done in a year or so.

So in the mean time, I'm trying to get A+, Net+, etc, just to show that I have basic computer stuffs, even though I know how build PC,etc. At least getting something with professional certification.

Unfortunately, there is no IT opening in the current company. Lastly, I'm aware of the financial situation with starting in IT, I have some saving, but I need to transition effectively, I hope

To be honest, I'm not rushing it since I'm making decent currently, at least it'll help to pay for my classes and certifications.

I work in telecom and facilities guys are so important to our C.O.s, MTSOs, and data centers.

Dude, listen to me, you already have the hard part down on data center management and architecture. The power, hvac, raised floors, running cables, codes in place for fire systems such as FM200.

What you need to do is become a Data Center specialist. They need facilities guys to plan the buildouts of data centers.

You should get your A+, Network+, CCNA and:

Data Center Certifications

Data Center Unified Computing
Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Design Specialist
Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Support Specialist
Data Center Networking Infrastructure
Cisco Data Center Networking Infrastructure Design Specialist
Cisco Data Center Networking Infrastructure Support Specialist
Cisco Data Center Networking Sales Specialist
Data Center Application Services
Cisco Data Center Application Services Design Specialist
Cisco Data Center Application Services Support Specialist
Data Center Storage Networking
Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Design Specialist
Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Support Specialist
Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Sales Specialist
Data Center Certifications

Data Center Unified Computing
Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Design Specialist
Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Support Specialist
Data Center Networking Infrastructure
Cisco Data Center Networking Infrastructure Design Specialist
Cisco Data Center Networking Infrastructure Support Specialist
Cisco Data Center Networking Sales Specialist
Data Center Application Services
Cisco Data Center Application Services Design Specialist
Cisco Data Center Application Services Support Specialist
Data Center Storage Networking
Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Design Specialist
Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Support Specialist
Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Sales Specialist

Routing & Switching

CCENTCCNARouting & Switching

CCENTCCNA

Routing & Switching

CCENTCCNARouting & Switching

CCENTCCNARouting & Switching

CCENTCCNARouting & Switching

CCENTCCNA

veritas_libertas

WoW! We just dug up an old thread...