Degree vs. Certifications

I was wondering what your thoughts/ experiences were on getting a degree vs. just stockpiling certifications. I don't have time to go back to school now that I have a child, a full time job, and the child's mother works 3rd shift. I just started studying for some IT certifications (taking network+ in July then CCNA, then Security+, then ???) since I can do this at my own pace and even at work when we are slow. I'm currently in a User Support Specialist position that I absolutely love (great hours, great boss) but I really need to get an increase in pay.

Is there a really huge disadvantage of not having a degree if I'm getting certifications and experience at the same time? Any thoughts, comments, questions are welcomed. I'm really trying to establish myself in the IT field and want to head into the System Admin/ Network Engineer directions.

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ptilsen

There are probably a billion of variations on this thread. My advise continues to be get both. If you have time to get certifications at all, you have time for school. I took 11 credits this semester, which was rough, but really not much more work than a higher-level MS or Cisco test would. Taking half as many credits would be less work, IMO. (actually, I probably spent/will spend more time on 70-643 than I have and will on this semester at school).

Anyway, the answer for you is WGU. Kill two birds with one stone. I believe this program in particular would suit you well.

The great thing about getting those certs incrementally over the course of the degree is that at some point you're likely to either get a raise or a new job based on getting them. That will happen again when you finish school. I went a different path myself (taking my sweet time to complete a computer science degree), but the WGU path makes a lot of sense of a lot of people.

eezee

Depends what you're looking for. When I first started out, I only had a CCNA. I was able to find some decent jobs doing field work (which at the time I loved doing0. Over the years I got my CISSP, CCNP, CCNA Security and a bunch of HP certifications in networking.

I have no problem finding jobs that pay around six figures, however don't be surprised if you get passed over for management promotions because you don't have a degree. Most consulting companies will care more about work experience and certifications than a degree (if they're a Cisco gold partner, even better). It can be more difficult to get into in-house type of roles without a degree.

taternuts666

Well that's a little encouraging and discouraging at the same time. Encouraging that people will still hire without the degree but discouraging that in-house positions are harder to find. The in-house positions would be best now that I have a family but I suppose money is money.

I do understand that the degree would be important, especially for management positions but unfortunately my financial situation won't allow me to go back to school. Not for a long time anyway....

On the plus side my employer will reimburse up to $2000 a year for any IT certification exams I pass so perhaps I will just keep hammering out those until I get my finances back in line again to go back to school (online). Thanks for the thoughts and comments guys.

Valsacar

If your employer offers reimbursement for IT exams, they might also have a college education program, I'd look into that. As already mentioned, WGU is designed for people in your situation. If your employer does a "bonus" per certification instead of just reimbursement (some do it that way) then you could use that to help pay for WGU. WGU is cheap, about 3k/6mo and you get basically everything with it (books, certification exams, etc).

Another option is to work on your certs, and toss in some stuff like CLEP/DANTES/StraigherLine/ALEKS to get some college credits. Then, when you can go back, go to WGU, Excelsior, Thomas Edison, or Charter Oak (all accept a large amount of transfer credits) to cheapen the overall all cost of the degree (but you can't get much cheaper than WGU).

taternuts666

Wow, I didn't realize WGU was that affordable. I will definitely look into that. Thank you all for the info!

spoonsslick

nice to have WGU supply you both with a degree with certificates.