Thoughts on my current plan of action to break into the IT world

I posted here awhile back asking for advice on schooling and how to best educate myself to get a decent entry-level job in the IT field. As I already have a BS in Biology from a decent school, most of the advice I got was to get a couple of certs then just start applying to jobs. At the time I was enrolled in a community college to get an AA in IT, but I dropped that and was considering applying to WGU.

I'm currently working a crappy, summer-only job that ends in early September (unrelated to IT). After that, I have about 3 months left on my apartment lease. When the lease is up, my roommate is moving home to go pursue his 4-year degree, and I'm without a roommate and unable to pay rent. In addition to this, my girlfriend and I are looking to potentially move to the other side of the state around May or June next year. Either that or just move in together nearby. So that gives me ~6 months of being in limbo where I'm not sure if I want to start a new job or not, because I might be moving away in 6 months. And even if I don't move, I have a golden opportunity to go back to school for 6 months that I won't have in the future.

So, I decided that all the signs were pointing towards "more school." I don't want to keep doing the community college thing (it's a waste of time), so I decided to apply to WGU. My idea is to spend those 6 months working full-time on WGU and see how far into the Network Admin program I can get. I definitely want my CCENT, CCNA and MCSA. I recently got my A+, too, so those requirements will be waived. I realize that work experience is more valuable than the certs, but I feel like having the certs and having some more, related IT education will never hurt me. Plus every single !@#$ing job posting I see says "4-year degree in CS or related field required." It's a little daunting.

I opted to not try any of WGU's Masters programs, mainly because they look like they're geared for people already in the industry. I got a lot of negative feedback here and elsewhere about getting a 2nd bachelors and even paying tuition just to get certificates, but I decided to go for it anyway. I doubt I'll be able to finish the whole program in 6 months, even if I'm not working, but I should be able to make significant headway and put myself within striking distance of a 2nd bachelors should I decide to keep plugging away at it after I start working again. I'm also a little weary of my ability to self-teach some of these certificates (like the CCNA), so I decided that it'd be advantageous to do a program of some kind.

Just curious about what some of you already in the industry think about this plan. The way I see it, more education may not be necessary, but it sure isn't going to hurt. And if I don't do school now, and just start working, I doubt I'll ever go back to school and get these certs. I'm awful at doing school and work at the same time, and needed to pick one or the other.

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Comments

DissonantData

How long have you been searching for jobs? Do you have any certifications already aside from your A+? I am believe that after you complete your CCNA or MCSA, you will start getting more job offers Maybe complete one of those two certs during your time off from work?

If all else fails, I guess you could go for a second bachelors degree. I always believe that one is enough to get your foot in the door. I am in a similar position having an unrelated degree myself, so I have decided to try to obtain certs.

Oh and considering you have a Biology degree, have you considered Health Informatics?

TripleHex

Usually you will see one of two things: a position that requires X amount of experience, or one that requires a 4 yr IT related degree (sometimes both), but you will be able to get your foot in the door with a bachelors. Certs could work too, since you have a B.S. already. One guy I worked with in IT had a degree in Chemical Engineering. He has worked many different IT positions (good ones) at that. Either way, more education can't hurt your chances.

DoubleNNs

Unless you're going to WGU with a heavy amount of financial aid, I think you should just buckle down and self-study the certs. It's cheaper and honestly, I feel like WGU would still be in the same vein as self-study. (Which to some people, is a benefit.)

Just become active in TechExams and similar communities, find a good study spot you can frequent, and make sure you have a good computer for labbing. Getting the CCNA/MCSA on your own this way would be cheaper, probably take the same amount of time (if you stay dedicated) and will give you the opportunity to transfer those certs in as credit, should you decide to go for the 2nd BS in the future.

Just my $.02.

bgaudy

I would just go out there and pound the pavement before returning to school. You WILL need experience to advance past helpdesk in a lot of cases, unless you land a good gig. In many cases you may be overqualified for these "decent" paying entry level jobs that are crucial (IMO) to building a skillset and finding your niche..

You are qualified for entry level IT jobs, I can assure you. Put together a decent resume and highlight your technical knowledge, and frame past employment in a way that highlights your people skills and you should be good to go.

Look for "Technical Support, Help Desk, NOC Technician, and Website Administrator" as good entry-level jobs.. I don't know which entry level jobs you are looking at that require 3+ years, but those by definition are mid-level jobs.

EDIT: That is unless you want to go straight into a management position, or development.. Then by all means go back to school, but if you are looking for more of an Admin job, i recommend starting from the bottom of the ladder (which is what I am doing now.... and don't regret it one bit!)