local college learning

Hey everyone,

I have had my AAS since Dec of 2005. Well being out of work as got me looking at schol options. The school I orginally went too I can't go because I have to depend on the bus and its in the very southern part of the Twin Cities I live in the north :P

But I've been looking at stuff my local community colleges are offering and they are offering basic "diplomas" for example

Network Administrator/Analyst Award Outcomes

* Install hardware/software to meet the end user's needs
* Perform tasks required of a network administrator
* Provide technical support for computers
* Set up computer networks
* Demonstrate safe service and repair practices
* Explain principles of system operation
* Perform preventive maintenance

its like 25 credits but I wanted to get your opinions on if I should bother withe these or continue towards my MCSA / MCSE?

I don't believe these are industry certs just a random piece of paper saying "Good job you completed course XYZ"

Having been a year off of work I want to get back in the field real bad and I swear I feel like I'm getting out of touch with IT even though I know not that much has changed.

Thanks.

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Comments

ipconfig.all

Well, you always can do both. You know I.T industrial certifications plus your community college credits programme. While you are studying try and find an entry level I.T job, I am sure you will have some luck thanks to your AAS and the current I.T certifications which you hold. Work experience will give you some experience, which will benefit you in the long run.

Microsoft certifications are worth getting since a lot of companies use Microsoft products. You might want to give the new Windows server 2008 certifications a try (MCITP :SA and MCITP : EA) since they will soon replace MCSE/MCSA. If you have a passion for I.T, I say do whatever your heart tells you.

Solaris_UNIX

I would say that the smart thing to do if you're looking for a job is to spend all of your effort focusing on the MCSE. Try to volunteer somewhere or do whatever it takes to find a way to get some real world experience on the side so you don't become just a "paper MCSE".

In my experience there are a lot of businesses running things like Active Directory and Microsoft Exchange that desperately need qualified people to do sysadmin work. The HR people in these businesses don't know what an MCITP is, so, the job write-ups usually list "MCSE" and not "MCITP" as a prerequisite for getting the job.

As a useful exercise, why don't you go through the job search engines for your local area (monster.com, etc.) and look at different job entries for the following keywords:

Windows Server 2003

Windows Server 2008

Microsoft Exchange

Active Directory

Sharepoint

MCSE

etc.

and see what comes up. Then look and see if you can find any jobs that don't want the Microsoft certifications but want the community college MIS degree instead (hint: you probably won't find any). If you have enough experience / know how and look hard enough, you might be able to find an internship or help desk position that doesn't require any certs and you can use that to get your foot in the door and start to build up some experience. A more experienced sysadmin might even take you under his or her wing and teach you some more advanced things.

The best way to improve your skills is to always volunteer for new tasks and new assignments- if you just throw yourself out there and volunteer for every decent computer gig you can find, you'll start building up your reputation and skills in IT more rapidly than you would have thought possible. I don't think trade school or community college will really bolster your IT resume in the way that a few years of solid, real world, on the job experience with a good track record and proven results will.

It all depends on what you're trying to do though. For being a great computer programmer / software engineer, I think the math and theory about algorithms and big oh notation- O(n) algorithms and O(n^2) algorithms, etc. that they teach you in a university level computer science or computer engineering course is important.... but I get the impression that you don't want to be a programmer, you want to be a sysadmin / technician, right? So instead of focusing on "academics", learn all the shell scripting techniques for whatever OS you want to work with, and get out there in a real job and get some experience.

I think Microsoft sysadmins use VBscript, batch files, and powershell for most of their scripting now, am I right? So I guess you would definitely want to learn those scripting techniques so that you can automate repetitive tasks and save time and money for your future employer.

jjbrog

What school? I go to HTC in Eden Prairie

NetworkingStudent

I saw two opportunities at Hennepin Technical College that interests me. The first being the Cisco Networking (EP) certificate which is 18 credits.
The coursework required for this certificate will prepare students to take the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam. Students will learn to design, build, and maintain computer networks. Prerequisite: Basic computer literacy, familiarity with the Internet, college-level reading ability, and proficiency in basic mathematics. All students must pass the Computer Literacy assessment test before registering for these courses.
CCIS1105
Network Essentials 4
or
CCIS1410
CCNA-1: Networking Basics 3
CCIS1421
CCNA-2: Routers & Routing Basics 4
CCIS1431
CCNA-3: Switching Basics & Intermediate Routing 4
CCIS1441
CCNA-4: WAN Technologies 4
CCIS2421
Security Solutions-1 (Cisco) 3
Here is the Link: Program Award Search - Details
Another option is to go to the Linux route, which allows students to install, use, and administer Linux.
Advanced Technical Certificate
Award Name, Number and Location: Linux Networking (BP/EP)
Award Description: This certificate is designed to enable the Linux/Unix computer professional to learn the fundamentals of networking and data communication and to know how to incorporate the latest data communications equipment in the enterprise. Prerequisite: Basic computer literacy, familiarity with the Internet, college-level reading ability, and proficiency in basic mathematics. All students must pass the Computer Literacy assessment test before registering for these courses.
Career Opportunities: Positions are available as Network Administrators and Network Developers
CCIS2122
Linux Admin 2 4
CCIS2161
Linux Admin 3 3
CCIS2222
Network Configuration 3
CCIS2841
Client/Server Computing 4
CCIS2900
IT Systems Management 3
Choose one of the following:
CCIS2591
JavaScript 4
CCIS2630
PHP 4
Here is the link: Program Award Search - Details
I thought these two certificate tracks were the most relevant to your case. Then again you could go the certificate route of database, and you could start learning about SQL and database design. It all depends on what you want. I know when I finish school, I want to take the Cisco and the linux classes, so that I can further my knowledge base. I currently go to Minnesota School of Business, and I ‘m pursuing my Associates in Information Technology.
Ps here is a link of all the programs Hennepin Technical college offers. Information Technology / Computer Careers
I hope this helps

dynamik

Wow, look at all the Minnesota boys who are too scared to put their state in their profile

wweboy wrote: »

Having been a year off of work I want to get back in the field real bad and I swear I feel like I'm getting out of touch with IT even though I know not that much has changed.

I feel that way since yesterday

Seriously though, I wouldn't bother with more formal education unless you are going to a BA/BS.

jjbrog

I'm going the whole network admin route, but I reallllllly don't wanna do those damn generals :P

dynamik

Just for the record, I was referring to someone with an associates who is considering diplomas. An associates is a great place to start if you don't have anything. Just make sure you can transfer it to a four-year program later on; you'd always want to have that option available.

jjbrog

I might think about a 4 year after I'm done. I haven't decided yet totally. Right now I'm getting a good feel with Cisco, probably cause its what I've been studying for the most since I'm just assuming it being all 4 credit courses vs 3.

But after I'm done with AA I'm going to at least upgrade on my own with the certs I get. ccna - ccnp for example. Would a B.A in network admin be basecly that? A upgrade on what I've learned in the A.A? Also is there more general edu classes in B.A as well? Or do you just do "core" classes?

dynamik

That would totally depend on the school and the program.