Excited I finally chose a school!

So after moving to a new state and working in the same field of help desk for a major service provider. I figured it was time to actually pursue what I want to be doing, and that is networking (focus on vmware/cloud).

So the first step was finding the right education, because at the moment all I have is a A.S. Computer Network Technician from a community college. Which did focus on the CCNA programs, but I neglected to take the test.

I was on the fence for awhile, I had a few options:

-Dakota State University (online) for B.S. CS.

-Penn State (Global Campus) for B.S. IT

-Washington State University or WSU (online) for Management Information Systems

But what I chose was Western Governors University (WA) campus for IT-Network Administration. I am looking forward to having WGU help bridge the gap from helpdesk to network admin roles so I can gain that much needed experience.

Now although I really like WSU for the MIS because I think it would have been helpful in the business side of things. I was worried about the lack of technical experience garnering me real opportunities in the job market. It was also cool that it is a well known school in my state, and I'll probably be missing out on 'networking' opportunities to get me in the door of some places. But again, gaining the right certs and getting that experience is my main goal first, than I'll worry about the business side after.

So any recommendations on someone who's only really worked low-tier helpdesk? And when I say low-tier, I mean call-center type of environment helping with wireless setup, help troubleshooting internet/cdv/cable, ticketing systems (remedy), and used company system to verify basic outages. With that in mind do you think my education path is logical and I chose the right school? Is there anything I should be aware of or look forward too?

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Comments

redz

ratchoke wrote: »

So any recommendations on someone who's only really worked low-tier helpdesk?

My recommendations:
1. Work hard at WGU. You'll save yourself a lot of money if you graduate early. The educational path is fine, but keep in mind that it is complimentary to your professional experience, not the other way around.
2. That being said, get out of low-tier help desk. Explain the impact you had on the organization(s) you supported in the call center on your resume, and apply for a more hands-on endpoint support role. I generally push people to try to find jobs supporting small companies - this allows for a wide breadth of experience in technologies, and at an appropriate depth to push forward into junior systems adm/eng or junior network adm/eng roles in the future.

Try not to get pigeonholed into endpoint support. I know several people who are perfectly happy with it and have made careers out of it, but that's not what you appear to be inclined to do. Always look to be expanding your role into Systems or Network Administration or Engineering - and it will be difficult to do that in a call-center.

Cheers.

The Technomancer

Either get out of hell-desk ASAP, or worm your way into some administration-related projects. You do not want to get pigeonholed as a helpdesk professional -- it's very hard to break into systems or network administration from there without taking a large risk like starting your own business or putting in sweat equity at a small shop.

sratakhin

Switch to CS if you still have time.

ratchoke

sratakhin wrote: »

Switch to CS if you still have time.

Any particular reason? Is it just you don't agree with WGu, or you think CS would be more beneficial in the long run? Even though WGU-N/A has certs that directly correlate to my career goals. Any info would be greatly appreciated. It's a big step choosing a school, also I just turned 30, so I am also taking that into consideration.

I was planning to take a business class each semester @ a community college to get a lot of pre-reqs for a BA-MIS where needed. Only time will tell how hard that will end up being though.

kgb

sratakhin wrote: »

Switch to CS if you still have time.

My 2 cents, but that advice makes little sense to someone wanting to do Networking and has done research and decided on WGU. Why not just recommend Computer Engineering instead.

ratchoke

kgb wrote: »

My 2 cents, but that advice makes little sense to someone wanting to do Networking and has done research and decided on WGU. Why not just recommend Computer Engineering instead.

I would love to do CEE, but I don't have the time nor finances for that lol. Just turned 30, I'm tired of entry level jobs, I want to further my career in something I will enjoy.

kgb

ratchoke wrote: »

I would love to do CEE, but I don't have the time nor finances for that lol. Just turned 30, I'm tired of entry level jobs, I want to further my career in something I will enjoy.

Ya, that was the point I tried to make. You did research and decided on WGU. If you were 20, living at home, WGU probably wouldn't be your pick (nor would've been mine). But, working adults that don't have the next 4-8yrs of night school pursuing an advanced degree such as CS, CEE it offers a nice alternative.

ratchoke

kgb wrote: »

Ya, that was the point I tried to make. You did research and decided on WGU. If you were 20, living at home, WGU probably wouldn't be your pick (nor would've been mine). But, working adults that don't have the next 4-8yrs of night school pursuing an advanced degree such as CS, CEE it offers a nice alternative.

I agree, plus I don't think the school name will really hold me back in IT. After doing a lot of research it seems a lot more success stories is who and what you know!

Degrees from major schools can definitely have that advantage or just a locally well known school. But even then, if you don't know how to make friends or put off a good impression, not like it matters.

Plus I think certain degrees really only matter for specific professions, like Doctor or Lawyer. My manager is a freaking sports medicine graduate...

But to update, I got two interviews lined up tomorrow, both soft phone interviews, so I'm excited. One is internal for 'network tech'. Another is an paid intern/desktop engineer at an IT consulting firm (been around since 2010 in Bellevue, WA) that will focus on basic IT troubleshooting (printers, PC, memory upgrades), and helping upgrade/implement networks; which is closer to the field of what I want to do. Excited for the desktop engineer position, but also nervous of the possibility of leaving my current employer that has great benefits (one of which is paying for WGU), and great stability.

N2IT

I think computer engineering is a brilliant idea if you want to become a network engineer. The more technical and more in depth the better. When dealing with a high level professional most of the time the well schooled highly educated CS and CE stand out like a sore thumb. In every environment I have been associated with the highest of high had some sort of stellar degree. There are some one off instances but for the most part it is true. Get a bad ass CS CE degree from a top 25 technology school and you won't need certifications. (JMHO and I will stick to it till the day I die)

ratchoke

N2IT wrote: »

I think computer engineering is a brilliant idea if you want to become a network engineer. The more technical and more in depth the better. When dealing with a high level professional most of the time the well schooled highly educated CS and CE stand out like a sore thumb. In every environment I have been associated with the highest of high had some sort of stellar degree. There are some one off instances but for the most part it is true. Get a bad ass CS CE degree from a top 25 technology school and you won't need certifications. (JMHO and I will stick to it till the day I die)

Lol i hear you, as much as i'd like a higher education, and university of washington would be my option. Itd just not something i could legitimately pursue. Money, and schooling for another 5-7 years wouldnt be the best investment. Id be out with no money and exp, just stuck with 60k worth of debt, and i dont think people will trust a 35-37 yr old with no direct exp.

its cool imagining it though.

N2IT

rat you and me both.

Valsacar

WGU is a good pick, I just finished my masters with them and was very happy with it.

For my success story, the same week that I finished my degree I got a new position (same company) as a sysad. Part of the reason was the degree (which my company paid for), it showed them I was capable of more than just what I was doing.

N2IT

WGU is a fine school I went there as well. I was just saying best case scenario (imo) would be to get a stellar CS CE degree from a top 25 program. That would be a one stop shop right there.