Going for a degree...online vs university

[rudeguy]

Short version: my company will pay for me to get my degree. I'm tired of being a call center monkey and want to get into networking and/or security.

My options are to go for BS from our local university (min 4 years that I don't want to go through) or go to a place like ITT Tech and take online classes. The latter is much preferred to me.

My question is: is ITT ok? Is online vs in school ok? I work full time and I'm a full time dad, so time is precious. I'm open to any good suggestions for online schooling.

Also, does anyone have experience with a place like ITT working with your employer for reimbursement? I know our local university will bill my company directly after the pre-approval goes through. Does ITT doe the same?

 

[Saulbadguy]

If a resume with ITT on it hits my desk, I inform the applicant to bring a stamp so they can mail themselves the rejection letter after the interview.

 

[rudeguy]

If a resume with ITT on it hits my desk, I inform the applicant to bring a stamp so they can mail themselves the rejection letter after the interview.

What about an associates from a community college?

 

[Ns1]

If a resume with ITT on it hits my desk, I inform the applicant to bring a stamp so they can mail themselves the rejection letter after the interview.

Lol

 

[DAGTA]

I recommend going ground instead of online.


I may or may not work for a university that has both.

 

[Retro Rob]

Short version: my company will pay for me to get my degree. I'm tired of being a call center monkey and want to get into networking and/or security.

My options are to go for BS from our local university (min 4 years that I don't want to go through) or go to a place like ITT Tech and take online classes. The latter is much preferred to me.

My question is: is ITT ok? Is online vs in school ok? I work full time and I'm a full time dad, so time is precious. I'm open to any good suggestions for online schooling.

Also, does anyone have experience with a place like ITT working with your employer for reimbursement? I know our local university will bill my company directly after the pre-approval goes through. Does ITT doe the same?

A degree *can* help, but getting a degree won't automagically get you there -- not saying that you think it will.

If you're working at a call center, are there network/security admins that may need assistance? You can assist and get real-wold experience! From what I've learned, those roles, especially security, require professional experience. For that, a degree will not help.

Normally, that ladder would progress as a Call center/Help Desk Rep, Desktop Support tech, Desktop support admin, sys Admin, Network/Security admin. Takes time to get there.

 

[Corporate Thug]

If a resume with ITT on it hits my desk, I inform the applicant to bring a stamp so they can mail themselves the rejection letter after the interview.

this x 1000000000000000000000000000000000

 

[rudeguy]

A degree *can* help, but getting a degree won't automagically get you there -- not saying that you think it will.

If you're working at a call center, are there network/security admins that may need assistance? From what I've learned, those roles, especially security, require professional experience. For that, a degree will not help.

Normally, that ladder would progress as a Call center/Help Desk Rep, Desktop Support tech, Desktop support admin, sys Admin, Network/Security admin. Takes time to get there.

We have a very small IT team (3 people currently) in our call center. There isn't a real way for me to cross train with them, since I'm on the phone 97% of the time I am there. And we are very strict on Wage and Hour laws, so no training in my spare time.

I'd be happy as hell to start off at desktop support. That's the stuff I already know very well. Our help desk is very, very small. Basically all they do is reset passwords and inhouse IT does the rest.

 

[Merad]

What about an associates from a community college?

Might give you a slight edge over the competition with only a HS degree. Won't really get you a decent job tho, unless you're going into a more specialized degree (dental hygiene or something).

 

[chusteczka]

A bachelor's degree teaches a basic competency level of writing, theory, and practice in a chosen major. I presume that ITT will focus on technical coursework and practical knowledge that will help to obtain a job. It is really your choice depending on your goals and motivations.

A bachelor's degree will open doors that an ITT degree will not. A degree from ITT may immediately allow you that next rung up on the ladder and will keep you as a technical worker with a ceiling. However, it may be better to reach that ceiling as a (well) paid technical professional than to remain in the call center.

My preference is always for physical class attendance. There is a teacher to ask questions of when confused and classmates to provide friendly competitive motivation to get the homework done.

 

[kami333]

What about an associates from a community college?

It won't get you laughed out, unlike ITT.

There are some CC that have a large online presence, at mine out of the 5 classes required for a database certificate, 2 of them were entirely online and 3 met for one evening a week. I'm currently working on a Project Management certificate of 6 classes, all but 1 was all online. Obviously a AA/AS would be significantly more classes but most GE classes were offered online as well. It should be cheaper than any for-profit school and you don't have to deal with the stigma of online classes if the school is relatively close by as well as allowing you to transfer to a 4year school for a bachelors degree (something that won't happen with ITT/DeVry credits). If there isn't anything local, at least look at ones like Western Governors University which are regionally accredited and generally better perceived.

 

[Retro Rob]

We have a very small IT team (3 people currently) in our call center. There isn't a real way for me to cross train with them, since I'm on the phone 97% of the time I am there. And we are very strict on Wage and Hour laws, so no training in my spare time.

I'd be happy as hell to start off at desktop support. That's the stuff I already know very well. Our help desk is very, very small. Basically all they do is reset passwords and inhouse IT does the rest.

Then, you may want to start looking for another job. An equal option would be to get specialized as was mentioned DURING your current employment tenure but more along the lines of certification (A+, Network+ Windows Vista/7 certifications) to be specific.

You can study at your own pace, for a LOT less than a degree or technical school.. which would have you in debt for YEARS with no real job prospects.

 

[Retro Rob]

Might give you a slight edge over the competition with only a HS degree. Won't really get you a decent job tho, unless you're going into a more specialized degree (dental hygiene or something).

A degree isn't needed in IT.

 

[Theb]

Find a local reputable university that has an online program. You can get a real degree from a real school by taking classes entirely online. Not all schools offer it but a lot do. I recommend a local school just so it's easier to take advantage of office hours and tutoring.

I actually learned more at community college than I did at university, but for a lot of jobs a Bachelor's degree is basically a checkbox/filter they use to screen resumes. Plus if your company offered to buy you a watch would you pick a Timex or a Rolex?

Don't bother with ITT Tech.

 

[rudeguy]

Then, you may want to start looking for another job. An equal option would be to get specialized as was mentioned DURING your current employment tenure but more along the lines of certification (A+, Network+ Windows Vista/7 certifications) to be specific.

You can study at your own pace, for a LOT less than a degree or technical school.. which would have you in debt for YEARS with no real job prospects.

My basic, uneducated and not well thought out plan is to have work pay for the classes and get my certs on my own. The certs are something I really want and doing them on my own would be a type of reward for myself. If things go well and I find that I need it, I can continue on with schooling and work will continue to pay as long as the courses can be considered work related. Networking is a sure thing since I work for a large ISP.

Are you saying to skip the degree and focus on the certifications?

 

[rudeguy]

Find a local reputable university that has an online program. You can get a real degree from a real school by taking classes entirely online. Not all schools offer it but a lot do. I recommend a local school just so it's easier to take advantage of office hours and tutoring.

I actually learned more at community college than I did at university, but for a lot of jobs a Bachelor's degree is basically a checkbox/filter they use to screen resumes. Plus if your company offered to buy you a watch would you pick a Timex or a Rolex?

Don't bother with ITT Tech.

great points...thanks a ton



ps

I'd get a bluetooth watch.

 

[Retro Rob]

My basic, uneducated and not well thought out plan is to have work pay for the classes and get my certs on my own. The certs are something I really want and doing them on my own would be a type of reward for myself. If things go well and I find that I need it, I can continue on with schooling and work will continue to pay as long as the courses can be considered work related. Networking is a sure thing since I work for a large ISP.

Are you saying to skip the degree and focus on the certifications?

If your employer wants to pay for it (as you mentioned and I mis-read), go for it! Just know it isn't needed. There are plenty of techs working in IT with good experience and NO college education.

It's all about experience. You certify in what you already know, not what you want to be doing. If you self-studied for a CCNA and got it for instance, with no real world experience, you're gonna have your resume thrown out because employers looking for Cisco people want those experienced with handling and working on Cisco gear. On the other hand, a person looking for a desktop support tech will see that certification and still throw you out because you appear to be a flight risk leaving him looking for, hiring, and re-training someone all over again.

The certs I suggested don't require real-world experience.

 

[Farang]

I would argue that while experience is the first thing looked at on a resume, your education is important to and I would absolutely recommend getting a 4-year degree if there is no cost to you. You'd be a fool not to pursue that, given the goals you have in mind.

While you can get a job without a degree, you will have much more control over your career, better foundational knowledge, and be in even more demand if you have the educational background to back up your experience.

The ideal situation for you would be a local university that offers at least 50% of the coursework online. Attending in person would still be beneficial for networking and because you'd be more invested if you are showing up to class.

 

[Retro Rob]

I would argue that while experience is the first thing looked at on a resume, your education is important to and I would absolutely recommend getting a 4-year degree if there is no cost to you. You'd be a fool not to pursue that, given the goals you have in mind.

Yeah, I agree. If they're going to pay, go for it!

While you can get a job without a degree, you will have much more control over your career, better foundational knowledge, and be in even more demand if you have the educational background to back up your experience.

A degree will without a doubt, help. It's just a fantasy to think a degree is some sort of "magic bullet" to a career, as television will have you think. I am not saying that you believe that.. just saying.

 

[preslove]

My question is: is ITT ok? Is online vs in school ok? I work full time and I'm a full time dad, so time is precious. I'm open to any good suggestions for online schooling.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Stay the fuck away for for-profit online options. Look for big public universities that have online programs in IT, Information Science, or related fields. You may be able to pass off a degree as one from a regular school.

 

[Mixolydian]

LOL @ ITT Tech.

 

[boomhower]

Another vote for online. Most major state schools have online degrees in fields that make it do able. I'm sure the University of Michigan has a decent selection of online degrees. If you have a school close to you can do hybrid where take most if it online but some stuff is either not offered or you would face time with the instructor.

Whatever you do go a real school. Stay away from any for profit school.

 

[Farang]

Yeah, I agree. If they're going to pay, go for it!

A degree will without a doubt, help. It's just a fantasy to think a degree is some sort of "magic bullet" to a career, as television will have you think. I am not saying that you believe that.. just saying.

Main point here is that the fact they're paying for it makes it a no brainer.

In general I don't think a degree is a meal ticket at all. But if you have no education you'll be seen as a "doer" and your only selling point to get a job is what you've done before. That is going to severely limit your ability to move in different directions, side to side or up, throughout your career. You won't be as much of an investment as you will be a commodity, a plumber to come in and fix things. Why should anyone else invest in you if you didn't have enough confidence to invest in yourself?

 

[theevilsharpie]

My options are to go for BS from our local university (min 4 years that I don't want to go through) or go to a place like ITT Tech and take online classes. The latter is much preferred to me.

My question is: is ITT ok? Is online vs in school ok? I work full time and I'm a full time dad, so time is precious. I'm open to any good suggestions for online schooling.

I'm not sure about the information security field, but if you want to be successful in an entry-level computer networking role, you'll need to have some degree of experience with the software and hardware your potential employer is using. An online class can teach you some of the fundamental theories of networking, but when it comes to learning practical skills, you'll either have to have a home lab--which can get expensive--or you'll need to arrange some lab time with your school. Computer networking programs that don't have any hands-on training are shit and not worth your time or your company's money.

As for ITT, their degrees aren't well respected in the technical circles I run in, and based on this thread, I doubt I'm alone. Most hiring managers I know stop caring about the degree once the candidate has relevant experience, but if all you have to go on is your academic accomplishments, an ITT degree won't take you far.

If I were you, and my immediate goal was to advance my technical career, I'd simultaneously work on completing an Associate's degree in Computer Science (or whatever it may be called) at a local community college, and obtaining a few relevant certifications. If you go that route, you'd gain the entry-level technical skill employers are looking for, and you'd also be earning credits that can be applied to a more advanced degree.

 

[rudeguy]

ok perfect, thanks for the input.

At least I didn't ask about Everest right?