Help! N.Admin Certificate @ local institute here (BCIT)
thekid007
Member Posts: 33 ■■■□□□□□□□
Hey everyone!
I'm so glad to have found this forum. My question relates to pursuing a 1-year intensive certificate at a well known technical institute here in Vancouver (BCIT).
A bit about myself - I graduated with a BA in Psychology (and 1st-year sciences), and the past year, have been working as a Technician in my university's IT Department. I am 24. Long-term, I would like to go to graduate school, but shorter-term (~4-5 years), I'd really like to work in networking, to save up money, travel, etc. I enjoy working with computers.
The program here is a 12-month intensive program, and graduates have always been able to get jobs (almost all grads have worked in the field upon graduating).
>>>HERE are my reservations. after talking with a local Network Admin (friend) in Vancouver. Can anyone give me some advice?
- the program is $15k
- you get vouchers for the following exams, and are required to pass them to get the certification. One of them being the MCITP (which apparently is being phased out in 2014, and that makes me hesitant):
Do you guys think this program is worth it for me? What attracts me is that it is short, and although expensive, seems that it would pay off my student loans (no-interest luckily), provided I land a job after.
Any advice appreciated.
I'm so glad to have found this forum. My question relates to pursuing a 1-year intensive certificate at a well known technical institute here in Vancouver (BCIT).
A bit about myself - I graduated with a BA in Psychology (and 1st-year sciences), and the past year, have been working as a Technician in my university's IT Department. I am 24. Long-term, I would like to go to graduate school, but shorter-term (~4-5 years), I'd really like to work in networking, to save up money, travel, etc. I enjoy working with computers.
The program here is a 12-month intensive program, and graduates have always been able to get jobs (almost all grads have worked in the field upon graduating).
>>>HERE are my reservations. after talking with a local Network Admin (friend) in Vancouver. Can anyone give me some advice?
- the program is $15k
- you get vouchers for the following exams, and are required to pass them to get the certification. One of them being the MCITP (which apparently is being phased out in 2014, and that makes me hesitant):
- CompTIA Storage+ Powered by SNIA (SGO-001)
- CompTIA Network+ (N10-004)
- CompTIA Security+ (SY0-201)
- CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI (LX0-101 & LX0-102)
- Microsoft Technology Specialist : Windows Server 2008 Active Directory (70-640)
- Microsoft Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring (70-642)
- Microsoft Technology Professional: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator (70-646)
Do you guys think this program is worth it for me? What attracts me is that it is short, and although expensive, seems that it would pay off my student loans (no-interest luckily), provided I land a job after.
Any advice appreciated.
Comments
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bgaudy
Member Posts: 28 ■□□□□□□□□□
Not sure what the job situation is like up in Vancouver.. but here in the states if you live near any major city, there is quite an abundance of entry-mid level networking jobs that can be obtained with a 4 year degree + experience + 1 or 2 relevant certifications... I don't have personal experience, as my situation is different than yours.. but I have friends who have 4 year degrees, and minimal help desk experience with A+ and Net+, and they have landed nice networking jobs with great growth potential.
It's up to you in the end.. that cert path looks fairly broad, and seems to cover a lot of bases.. If you feel you are more comfortable in an instructor led environment, and are also comfortable taking on that additional debt (granted you might not land *dream job here* immediately, it would likely make it easier to get to this destination) then by all means go for it..
I'm sure someone with more relevant experience in this kind of thing will come on here soon and offer their perspective, but I figured I'd give my thoughts on it. -
thekid007
Member Posts: 33 ■■■□□□□□□□
Hey man, thanks, that is pretty helpful bgaudy thanks, hmm...
Vancouver there are a lot of jobs, but I don't mind moving to Eastern Canada (well actually that is my goal eventually)
Anyone else? -
GAngel
Member Posts: 708 ■■■■□□□□□□
I'm from Toronto but in AB. Calgary has very good starting wages for IT way above what i'd consider normal due to the shortage. Van has lots of competition driving down wages. Alot of outsourcing too. Edm seriously underpays most positions. Fort Mcmurray i know plenty of junior techs making 80k+(including bonus) at any of the oil majors. Lots of guys do a year or two there then head home cash in hand for house down payments. As you're in BCIT these are usually NAIT and SAIT guys.
I hire in all these locations so I do comparisons regularly.