Career in Networking or Web Design

[Colonel Fox]

I got a place the other day in a training center in London. My problem, well I am not so sure about how useful the qualifications are and which one to take.

The Networking course leads to a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator & Microsoft Cerified Systems Engineer.

The Web Design course leads to a qualification in Master Certified Internet Webmaster Designer & Microsoft Certified Systems Developer.

Both these courses are about £2900 and part of the contract is that it states it will find a £20,000 job for you after completion of training. I have looked at other agencies and their prices are generally higher. So are the qualifications worth £2900?

Further to this just what is life like as a network administrator. I always remember then couped up in a box in the corner of an office. I don't really like the sound of that! Am I wrong?

The web design program seems interesting if not only because it can be used as a creative outlet. Are there better courses out there for this or should I take it and train more once I have more money?

 

[IbnSina]

The MSCE etc. have some value, but I have doubts as to whether the course(s) will get you the job you want, and I'm not sure they would be worth £2900 each. I have an acquaintaince who earned his MSCE, but still doesn't know much about computing generally, and would not be qualified to work for me. What's really required is a uni degree and a few years of experience. That's the bad news. The good news is that being a network administrator for a small organization is not a bad job. I have a good office, and call most of my own shots. Being a network administrator for a larger organization is more stressful, but pays better.

 

[Colonel Fox]

Is it really a case of having to go to uni or can I just take on more training?
I want to learn about linux/unix as much as MS networks so I can get trained up in that right? Why such importance on a degree?

 

[Grisu]

well the difference is that MCSE and similar exams focus on one specific product, so you're hung up on this.
If you get a degree, you get yourself a broad knowledge of what's behind those products, enabling you to think yourself into a lot of different products in a short time. this will make you much more versatile.

Still MCSE isn't a bad way to get your foot into IT, if that's what you want to do.

 

[IbnSina]

well the difference is that MCSE and similar exams focus on one specific product, so you're hung up on this.
If you get a degree, you get yourself a broad knowledge of what's behind those products, enabling you to think yourself into a lot of different products in a short time. this will make you much more versatile.

Still MCSE isn't a bad way to get your foot into IT, if that's what you want to do.

Yes, that's right. The uni degree will give you more general knowledge, a deeper understanding of the standards and protocols that computers use, and a little experience. Still, the MCSE might be a start, if you're willing to settle for a lower-level job initially with the promise of experience that will get you a better post later. At the end of four years, your income might be the same either way...

 

[Padma]

The MCSE, and other certificates, are just *paper*, but they can help you get past the first line of HR people in the hiring process. Most jobs here want a degree to go with them, or at least several years of experience, to show the certs are not just "wallpaper".

 

[Colonel Fox]

To be honest I don't think I could hold up through 4 years at uni. I am 22 now and I'd be 26 before I started earning anything. I understand the broad cover of a deg but can I not just opt for more training in other areas like linux/unix, cisco systems etc? I have to think about my future. If I go down this road of training its going to cost, but thats not that big an issue. I would like to know from you guys if constant training and experience can make up for the lack of a degree in the long term. The short term is fine for me as part of this training program gets me a job. I'm just worried about my long term employability prospects wihtout a degree.

 

[Grisu]

I wouldn't sweat it, I'll be 28 this year, and I just finished my studies this january

that said, of course you can aquire the necessary skills without getting a degree, but it isn't really easy, especially getting the background knowledge.

I have no idea how it's in the uk, but here it's pretty difficult to get a job in IT if you haven't got a degree or a proper IT-education. But I guess once you got experience it'll be much easier.