My Dilemma

Hey everyone. First time poster, long time lurker here. Here's my issue, sorry if it's a little long:

I will be graduating next May with a BA in Political Science, but my original plan of moving to DC to do campaign work looks like it'll be put on hold for at least a few years as I have to stay here and look after my mom. Since I'll be here for a while, I want to actually do something rewarding and get paid above minimum wage. Unfortunately, if I wanted to do local political work here, I would have to spend 2-3 years doing various unpaid/low pay internships to than maybe get a job that pays 20k. Maybe. I just can't afford to do that while taking care of my mom.

I've always been into computers as a hobby (fixing and building my own, helping troubleshoot problems with my friends computer, etc.) so I figured I should try and break into the IT industry. That way I'll be able to do something that I like and make some money rather than getting by flipping burgers.

Here's my dilemma though. I know that since I have no formal experience in the IT field that I'll likely have to start at the helpdesk level. I've already begun looking into the A+ and Network+ certifications. I also figured out that if I take a full load in the fall and spring, I'd be able to get a minor in Computer Science from my university. I also noticed that the local tech school here offers an accelerated network specialist/server associate degree program. That looks very appealing because it covers courses on A+/N+/CCNA/MCP/ and MSCE. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to enroll in that until the fall of 2010 and I'm not sure I want to wait that long.

Would a minor in CS be equivalent to an associates degree? I figure I can just get the minor and self study for the A+ and Network+ exams during the year. But I'm not sure? Also since I have a whole year, I know it won't take me that long to get both certs, so I've thought about going for the MCTS or the CCNA as well. But then, I don't want to be overqualified with paper certs that might work against me when looking for a job. I'm probably just getting way ahead of myself here...

Anyone have any advice?

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Comments

dynamik

Most employers only care that you have a degree, and it isn't crucial that you have an IT-related degree. I'm actually wrapping up a psychology degree myself. I'd put any extra time into certs and finding real-world experience, even if it means volunteering, over a minor or an associates degree.

tiersten

I've got a undergrad and postgrad degree in IT but neither were especially important for jobs. Obviously if there was somebody else applying for the same position with exactly the same experience and skills as you but with an IT degree then they may edge slightly ahead of you. The main thing you need to be concerned about is as dynamik said, experience.

Jordus

dynamik wrote: »

Most employers only care that you have a degree, and it isn't crucial that you have an IT-related degree. I'm actually wrapping up a psychology degree myself. I'd put any extra time into certs and finding real-world experience, even if it means volunteering, over a minor or an associates degree.

I'd take someone with an associates in the field over someone with a bachelors in an unrelated field.

Then again, im a firm believer in degrees not amounting to a rat turd when it comes to IT. But ignorant HR departments see that differently.