I have an a.a.s should I go for Bachelors or Certs?

I am 24 years old and I currently have a associates degree would it be worth it to get a Bachelors Degree? Would it be better to get certified( Net+, CCENT, Sec+) and skip the student loans and debt, would I still be able to get a decent job this way?

I know this is a vague question but my finacial aid just got rejected so.. im kinda at a standstill

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ptilsen

It's not an either or. You should get both, concurrently, while working full-time (or at least part time) in an IT position.

Start into your Bachelors at 4 to 8 credits a semester. Work on any combination of A+/Net+/Sec+/CCENT concurrently.

If you really can't get financial aid or afford school, I would focus on certs to being with simply because they can get you a faster return. My strong recommendation is to plan to finish school at some point, even if you take a break to get certs in the short term.

Taku_

so what you are saying is that my 2-year degree isnt going to get me very far and that I should consider a 4 year degree and try to get some certs along the way

I am just seeking advice from people already in the field as I don't have any connections as of yet.

networker050184

I wouldn't rack up any debt personally. What I would do is find a job that pays tuition and then continue your education on their dime. Grab some certifications along the way while you are at it. A certification or two and an AAS is more than enough to get you started in IT.

Roguetadhg

a position with a school should give you tuition assistance.

Taku_

haha funny story, I work at the college I graduated from as a "contract worker" its 35 hours a week no benefits and 37 1/2 is full time in the computer helpdesk

if I was full time I get one free class a semester, or something like that

Iristheangel

Are you in the US? Are you a US citizen? Do you have any old unpaid past-due school loans? If you are a legal US citizen with a pulse and without school loans in collections, you are eligible for Stanford loans. They won't be enough to pay for Harvard or anything but they'll definitely pay for either community college or an online option such as WGU which offers 4 year degrees.

the_Grinch

Finish the BS as fast as you can. My buddy has an AS and got hired by a local school district making a decent amount (I'd say $43k). Recent state cutbacks have has his paid frozen and with increased benefit/retirement contributions required of all employees he's making less then he was last year. He asked me to keep an eye out for any open positions, but everything I see wants that degree. So finish it and do certs

Taku_

Iristheangel wrote: »

Are you in the US? Are you a US citizen? Do you have any old unpaid past-due school loans? If you are a legal US citizen with a pulse and without school loans in collections, you are eligible for Stanford loans. They won't be enough to pay for Harvard or anything but they'll definitely pay for either community college or an online option such as WGU which offers 4 year degrees.

I know I can get loans and things of that nature but with online degrees I always feel like its not noteworthy " oh you got a 4 year degree from some..online school.." thats what I hear when i think of 4 year online degrees,

ptilsen

It's not quite that bad Taku_. There is a stigma to online degrees, but it's not quite that bad with WGU, and it's certainly still an improvement over an A.A.S. of any kind. The advantage of WGU providing certs and credits simultaneously is a big one, and you can always take it to a B&M graduate program, at which point where you got your undergrad isn't important.

Iristheangel

If it's a choice between a fully accredited online school that pays for my certifications vs. being buried in debt to get a degree or not being able to afford one because you can't get a large enough loan, I would recommend you doing a cost/benefit analysis. Most of the time, a degree is a checked box for HR when you submit a resume. If you're lucky, you can get a school program that incorporates certifications into their program so you can kill two birds with one stone. Again, it's always up to you but if you're struggling to come up with money for college and thinking about entry-level certifications, look at all your options and make the best choice for you.

Taku_

ptilsen wrote: »

It's not quite that bad Taku_. There is a stigma to online degrees, but it's not quite that bad with WGU, and it's certainly still an improvement over an A.A.S. of any kind. The advantage of WGU providing certs and credits simultaneously is a big one, and you can always take it to a B&M graduate program, at which point where you got your undergrad isn't important.

Holy cow you get so many certs by doing these programs!! this is amazing! Thank you so much , I am definitely going to look into this program.

ptilsen

Actually, Iris brings up a good point in that cost is a big factor. I opted to go the B&M route, but my school actually cheaper than WGU at the pace I would have likely gone and offers the degree I really wanted, which was Computer Science. For any type of "IT" degree, I wouldn't pay a lot more to get one at a B&M, and I would only recommend a public, regionally accredited four-year university. If you're looking at something like ITT, for example, WGU would be a huge improvement on all fronts.

Taku_

I dont plan on going into business and management ( im assuming thats what B&M means) I have my a.a.s in computer networking and communications and I would like to have a bachelors in something close or similar and it seems WGU has just that. I have an ITT where I live and let me tell you its waaaaay to expensive and you may get the degree but from the people I know that have went there you are just given grades..

ptilsen

No, B&M means brick and mortar, at least in this context. Yes, ITT is a huge, overpriced scam with a worse rep than most online schools, and with good reason.

It sounds like WGU is right for you. Good luck!

Devilry

Like most say, get both! easily done if you enroll at WGU.

I am doing it now, not that difficult.

4_lom

Iristheangel wrote: »

Are you in the US? Are you a US citizen? Do you have any old unpaid past-due school loans? If you are a legal US citizen with a pulse and without school loans in collections, you are eligible for Stanford loans. They won't be enough to pay for Harvard or anything but they'll definitely pay for either community college or an online option such as WGU which offers 4 year degrees.

I think you mean Stafford loan

Akaricloud

Ideally you would:

Find/accept a full time entry level IT job,
Start on a 4-year degree(full time if you can handle it), AND
Pick up a couple certifications during breaks.

Work will pay for school and certifications then in a couple years you'll be in a great position.

Iristheangel

4_lom wrote: »

I think you mean Stafford loan

Ah, yes. See my signature.

Taku_

even though WGU looks great im still going to see realistically what it would cost to go to the 4 year university here as I should be able to get some financial aide, and if that falls through then I will go to the WGU. I know color my old fashioned but I just feel so weird about online universities haha. Since I have an a.a.s I cant really get financial aide here anymore at my community college for federal reasons due to hours ( as I found out earlier) Hopefully this will all pan out, thanks again for your input guys , if you have any other input lemme know!

YuckTheFankees

If you already have a decent job, I suggest finishing your degree. I'm pretty much in the same boat as you; should I go with certs or degrees (BS/MS). Most likely I could find a better paying job faster with a couple more certifications but I know a degree will open up more doors when I get to Mid/Senior level.

But...if you already you have 10+ years of experience, I don't know if I would take the same course of action.

** I start WGU August 1st

sfmiller

For costs, keep in mind that your A.A.S transcripts will be reviewed by WGU and many of your credits will transfer or meet requirements for your chosen BSIT focus. I have an Electronics Tech A.A.S I got back in 2000 and it transferred or met requirements for 34 CU's of WGU's 120 necessary to complete the BSIT:Software focus which is a significant reduction in costs for me. YMMV, but I think it is a far better investment than a B&M university that will most likely not even recognize your A.A.S.

4_lom

Iristheangel wrote: »

Ah, yes. See my signature.

Ah, sorry