Am I getting to far ahead of myself?

As I have stated before I am currently studying Infosec and Assurance at a University, and should be graduating by December of 2014, with that being said, I would like to achieve both the Network+ and Security+ certifications before graduating, but I feel a little discouraged when I talk to my peers about my goals. They make me feel as if it will be a waste of money if I try and pursue it this early , since they themselves are waiting until after graduation and since they want to wait and see if an employer will pay for the certs.

What my question is, is should I also do the same as my peers,or should I stick to my guns and pursue the certifications, I feel the certifications will help to give me an advantage over those that want to wait until graduation to achieve any certifications, but I also see the logic in wanting to wait and see if an employer will be willingly to pay for the tests?I know its possible,but is it very likely? Or should I try and stay ahead of the competition? (other students in the program). Any opinion is greatly appreciated!

-K.L.H

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lsud00d

Having certs by the time you graduate will give you a leg up forsure. I would recommend Sec+ and CCNA over Sec+ and Net+.

Look at it like this hypothetical scenario:
Degree = $40k job, wait and see if employer pays for certs
Degree + Certs (~$500-600 investment) = $50k job

odysseyelite

Forget your peers, do they pay your bills? Having certs will get you ahead of the game. After I graduated, the first thing companies would ask me is, what certs do you have? I had non at the time. Don't get me wrong, a Degree is worth it, but the college system tends to not stay on top of the latest technology.

I get the same bs from my peers today. Why are you studying for another cert, reading another book etc. I was like them for awhile. I got comfortable at a job, then I got laid off and saw I had let myself be passed by the times.

ptilsen

Get the certs now. Particularly with these entry-level certs, they will have less value if you wait for an employer to pay for them. By the time you interview for the second job, they probably won't add much to your resume.

On that note, I wouldn't even wait till graduating to look for jobs. If you can find an IT job that doesn't interfere with school, you will be way ahead of your peers at graduation. The experience at that job will easily be as valuable as your degree in finding your next job.

klhatchett

thanks, for both of your replies, that's exactly I was thinking! it just gets annoying when ever people make me feel as if I am doing something wrong by trying to further my knowledge, in regards to the CCNA,I did plan on also pursuing that cert, but most people recommend I try the Net+ first so that I can form a foundation and since that is something I really need help understanding

Node Man

I see nothing wrong with getting ahead of yourself, as long as you are behind yourself.

dbrink

I wouldn't worry about what other classmates are saying, the knowledge you will gain from the entry level certs will put you ahead of a lot of graduates.

JayTheCracker

when the certificates become related with your modules in your Degree program, the knowledge learnt from the certs will even help u get very very good grades...

klhatchett

Thanks for the words of encouragement everyone! What you are saying is what I was thinking, and I will definitely continue to pursue my goals, and as far as finding work while still in college, that is my goal,I want to get as much experience as possible now,that way once graduation comes around, I have the potential to make more then my peers in the program who decided to wait until graduation to get certified

Roguetadhg

Get your certs, Get your degree. You'll be better off.

UnixGuy

I passed the CCNA right after my final semester at uni. It's not a big deal, it can help you. Try to get internships and part-time work if you can, this will be gold on your resume.

lordy

Get the certs now. They will basically pay for themselves when you get your first job.

People who try to save a few hundreds buck on certs don't understand that they would bring a few thousands in the next job.

ThePawofRizzo

I agree with all here. Get the certs as you can. The CompTIA certs will probably most pay off as you enter the industry anyway since they are more foundational, general knowledge type content. I do agree that CCNA would be much more worthwhile, but if you would take Sec+ and CCNA, I'd go ahead and knock out Net+ just for the bonus. After the first two you'd pretty much have studied most anything the Net+ covers, and could sit for it easily. It would just give you the extra padding in the ol' resume.

kurosaki00

You should circle yourself with a bit more knowledgeful peers then
I cant believe nowadays in IT/Systems people still talk like that
Get the certs!
If you find an employer that will pay for your certs, you will get more certs, Sec+ and net+ are just the tip of the iceberg.
Be the best you can, apply for the best jobs you can.

instant000

Am I getting too far ahead of myself?

No, you're getting too far ahead of your friends!

I would like to achieve both the Network+ and Security+ certifications before graduating

Like others, I feel that you are aiming a bit low, to be pursuing Network+. If you're pursuing Information Security, CCNA:Security could be seen as a very reasonable goal.

What my question is, is should I also do the same as my peers,or should I stick to my guns and pursue the certifications

LOL. Definition of peer pressure: They're pressuring you to do what they're doing. You came to the right site if you want to be encouraged to pursue your goal of certification. We can help you find the right tools to do the job right.

I feel the certifications will help to give me an advantage over those that want to wait until graduation to achieve any certifications

It will.
Here are the possible job candidates (given that you and your peers get degrees anyway):

Certs | Exp
-----------
 No   | No
 No   | Yes
 Yes  | No
 Yes  | Yes

I noticed from reading your LinkedIn profile that you're currently working as an Information Technology Assistant. This is VALUABLE experience! Coupled with the degree, you'll be knocking out 2/3 things you'd hope to be looking for.

The three areas you can work on (to make yourself more skilled in a field) are experience, education, and certification. You need to have a tiebreaker in your advantage. Experience is very valuable, as someone who's done the job before probably knows how to do it again.

but I also see the logic in wanting to wait and see if an employer will be willingly to pay for the tests?

If you do the math, it doesn't make sense. (A prior poster already provided an example.) Since you've studied business, I'm sure that there has to be some sort of decision analysis they covered, with regards to comparing outcomes, based upon different inputs. I am not saying it'll promise you a job (nothing can do that). I am saying that you can take charge of the inputs, and make sure that you're selling a quality product (yourself).

I know its possible,but is it very likely?

The only employer-funded programs that I have seen usually stipulate an additional year of employment, in exchange for sending an employee for any sort of training/education. As a result, I've never taken advantage of one of those programs, and have self-funded the certifications that I have. If you just want to work at the same place for an extended period of time, then it would be something great to take advantage of. I would think that many employers have these programs.

Or should I try and stay ahead of the competition? (other students in the program).

You hit the nail on the head. Yes, you should definitely stay ahead of your competition. You must differentiate yourself. If you all go to the same school, what makes them any better or worse? The difference then would be additional experience or certification that you can bring to the table. Strive to be the superior candidate.

As far as additional tips, I would advise also getting a good handle on the rules and regulations that are common in the industry. Go beyond what's covered in the courses, and thoroughly read the regulations, commentaries on the regulations, industry, and develop your own idea on how things work.

I just peeked at your LinkedIn page, and your interests appear to be 'nix, database, perl, python, and pen testing.

As you obviously know that you need a greater grasp on Networking and Security, I would further advise that you make sure to pursue vendor-neutral knowledge in networks and operating systems. It will make your current job, degree program, and any certifications that much easier. You can be a much more effective planner, implementer, and troubleshooter, if you truly understand what's really going on. Also, it'll make securing things a lot more simple, when you understand how they really work.

Hope this helps!

klhatchett

thank you very much instant000 everything you said makes since, can't believe I almost let peer pressure stop me from trying to achieve, which in my opinion are not to far fetched, thanks again everyone, definitely going to look more into CCNA instead of the Network+ and I am going to continue to set high, but attainable goals for myself

ajs1976

Get some certs and experience now if you can. Every little bit helps.

N2IT

Sounds like a good plan to me. Getting the CCNA would be a awesome win IMO.