Degree Specializations?

Hello all, long time lurker first time poster. Hoping this site will provide with a lot of advice in the future.

I'm about to graduate soon and I decided to go the Community College ->Universiry route. I'm planning on getting my AAS in Network Administration and Support since Network as well as Security Administration interests me the most right now. Now the colleges around here offer different specializations for this degree: Convergence Technology, CCNA, CCNP, Unix/Linux, Microsoft, and Solaris. I was wondering which specilization may be the best to begin with or may be the most helpful down the line when applying for entry-level IT jobs, if it even matters much at all at this point. Of course, I will also be doing certs along the way. I gather A+ and Network+ are the best for beginners?

Any feedback will be appreciated!

Here are the classes in case anyone was interested:
https://www1.dcccd.edu/catalog/programs/degree.cfm?degree=network_admin_supp_aas

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NetworkVeteran

JamarXII wrote: »

Hello all, long time lurker first time poster. Hoping this site will provide with a lot of advice in the future.

I'm about to graduate soon and I decided to go the Community College ->Universiry route. I'm planning on getting my AAS in Network Administration and Support since Network as well as Security Administration interests me the most right now. Now the colleges around here offer different specializations for this degree: Convergence Technology, CCNA, CCNP, Unix/Linux, Microsoft, and Solaris. I was wondering which specilization may be the best to begin with or may be the most helpful down the line when applying for entry-level IT jobs, if it even matters much at all at this point. Of course, I will also be doing certs along the way. I gather A+ and Network+ are the best for beginners?

Any feedback will be appreciated!

Here are the classes in case anyone was interested:
https://www1.dcccd.edu/catalog/programs/degree.cfm?degree=network_admin_supp_aas

I've hired for some prestigious places. For entry-level networking positions, I found these most desireable--

(a) A degree in computer science or electrical engineering from an accredited university, GPA 3.0+. Basically, a good foundation for further learning. In this field you are always learning, and especially your first 3-6 months! Obviously, if your university degree has a specialization in networking, that is a plus, as are academic networking projects.

(b) A networking certification to show actual enthusiasm and interest towards networking, with some practicality and teeth to reduce ramp-up time. Basically, the CCNA or JNCIA are interesting! Network+ is a "don't care".

You sound conflicted. Most CCNP positions don't require an A+. Most A+ positions don't require a CCNP. The first thing, is to figure out where you want to go, so you can find the right steps to get there.

eansdad

First I have to say, I wish our community college was set like this. Second I was say either the MCITP:EA if you want to get into sysadmin work or CCNA for networking. A+ and Net+ would only help if you going for a help desk/geek squad type job while attending school which would be good to get some exp behind you. You need to decide which path you want.