networking career

[jae]

i meant to ask about pursuing a career in networking when someone asked if they should take a cisco course in high school. i didnt want take over his thread tho . im going to be a senior in high school when school starts back up again and i have yet to decide what exactly i want to do although i know something in computers/technology area. Looking at my classes/grades i have and the love for computers i would think networking is a go, but i am uncertain about what i exactly should do. Anyone want to suggest shall i goto a community college, tech or university first? ive been told by my networking teacher that moraine valley up here has an awesome cisco program and new lab, but he didnt tell me about the different programs. should i go for my cisco network associate cert., professional cert, or bachlors etc etc etc whats the difference. there are many different career programs. i want to make the right choice because im scared of choosing somethin and not being able to get a job when i finish school. all input is valued and if anyone would like to take the time to contact me off AAT forum then my aim: jae70888 and y!: jae18708

THANKS

 

[spidey07]

Best thing?

Get a 4 year degree in CS or EE if you want a career in networking.

 

[jae]

any schools u suggest that have excellent programs?

 

[casper114]

Oklahoma state university has an excellent networking masters degree program.

 

[imported_netman]

haha, Masters.. slow down.. he is finishing up high school

Opinion:
School good idea for some, though the guys I have hired right out of school just barely have fundementals, so little content is spread across so much time that no one thing is learned real well. I have seen schools that have network specific BS degrees, versus a CS or IS. One of the guys that I hired from a network program had a much better grasp of real networking and it's fundementals. Me however, there was no way I could go to school directly after high school.. I joined the military with a guaranteed computer job (immediate experience). Once in the military, I started going to school and working on certs. By the time I was done (7 yrs), I had a great foundation and was very marketable for any number of good jobs.

If you opted to start with just taking certs, and are gifted enough to really pick things up well, you might get lucky and get your foot in the door at a company that you can progress in. Those jobs are tough to find though, as most people do want some experience or a degree... funny how they will take a degree with no experience, and I've seen some of those people be the most clueless (but school can often get you in the door).

While in high school I would prep yourself in a number of areas Networking (Cisco study, and equipment or online labs), TCP/IP, and Linux (or a flavor of *nix) this will go a long way in the future and is much more usefull in a networking job than Windows.

Good luck

 

[nweaver]

Well spoken Netman.

I don't have a degree (will go back eventually) and I do well, but I got lucky and found a company that cares more about what is getting done then how many books you read about it. I pick up stuff fast, so that halps too.

 

[jae]

@ netman: u couldnt go straight out of high school because of grades or money?

to be a CS major/engineer u have to score atleast 28 on the ACT right?

yes i have take cisco networking courses in high school now. i finished part 1 & 2 last school yr and passed with an A, I know i am a fast learner. i would love to get part time job or even some sort of internship right now to get experience.

 

[nweaver]

try testing industry, as it often give broad experience. That is were I am, and I have (in the last 2 years): Setup a large scale MS network (Multiple domains, forests, exchange servers, LDAP authentication from 3rd party S/W), Learned linux fairly well. Configured/built (H/W wise) a 200+ PC install, including wirine and stuff. Worked with imaging/management s/w to manage 500 PC's, javascript, perl, visual test, cisco security, wireless, v2 switching, and a few other things.

 

[imported_netman]

I couldn't goto college straight out of high school due to burn out.. After 12-13 years of school, I needed a break.. I would of never finished, and ultimately maybe never gone anywhere.

 

[tami]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Best thing?

Get a 4 year degree in CS or EE if you want a career in networking.

i disagree slightly -- my 4 year degree in CS did nothing to hone my networking skills. i also took cisco classes on the side; my school did not offer it.

CS is all theory and programming, not MIS.

the 4 year degree is almost a must for you, especially because in 5 years, employers will expect a college degree from kids your age and nothing less as more and more kids go to college instead of immediately into the work world. you should supplement that with cisco networking so you can become more marketable. a cisco cert out of college is never a bad thing.

 

[spidey07]

The main reason for getting the degree is you will hit a ceiling very early (early 30s) without one.

Has nothing to do with actually learning anything, but that ceiling is there and is very real. You limit your career opportunities without one.

 

[Variable D]

I agree, in the long run you will do better, career wise, with a 4 year degree than without one. There are people who started with hands-on before the bubble burst who are doing well now. But, I wouldn't count on being lucky in the future. You cannot go wrong with a 4 year degree in IS related field compared to no degree, backed up by certifications along the way you will do fine. Do some intern work.

If your a senior and don't have a school already lined up, your behind the curve a bit. I would look at a CC that has a 2 + 2 program with a 4 year institution. This is when the classes you take at the CC all count as credit to your first two years at the the 4 year school. I teach at a local CC, so I am familiar with this concept. I would take only classes at the CC that count as credit towards your 4 year degree. Study and get certs every month or two along the way. Set goals down on paper and break them down, put details in your goal planning, start ticking them off as you finish them. Proper planning up front can save you a lot of money and time. Learn from others, listen to people who have done it. I see so many young people listen to excellent advice and then go do the wrong things anyway, either because they are lazy or because they think they know better. The smart kids listen and translate the information into direct action - the rest of them learn life the old fashion way, the school of hard knocks.

 

[casper114]

Originally posted by: spidey07
The main reason for getting the degree is you will hit a ceiling very early (early 30s) without one.

Has nothing to do with actually learning anything, but that ceiling is there and is very real. You limit your career opportunities without one.

Well said, One of the most reasonable things i'be heard in this thread!

 

[jae]

thanks guys for all the information and suggestions.

 

[TGS]

I know it's crazy and all, but...

The military(AF for me, so some people might debate "Military" ) does offer some good training options, if you get in the right career field. 3C0X1 for me.

I learned, all my technical knowledge through the AF. Windows(NT, 2000, 2003 and AD to a lesser extent), Linux (on my own time), minor Unix mostly basic shell scripting, Backup and recovery (Veritas and Commvault), and Storage (DAS and SAN, which I do now). All that along with a TS/SCI security clearance will open some serious doors, even without a 4 year degree.

I've just really started towards my degree and honestly I need to get my butt back in gear.

Just another option if you can become accustomed to the military lifestyle.

 

[SaigonK]

Originally posted by: spidey07
The main reason for getting the degree is you will hit a ceiling very early (early 30s) without one.

Has nothing to do with actually learning anything, but that ceiling is there and is very real. You limit your career opportunities without one.

i agree with Spidey as well.
As much as I know about Citrix, Windows AD, layer 7 load balancing, cisco firewalls, vpn branc office connections, mpls networks...without a BS somewhere along the line I will driblle out to a tech role and never move up to a manager or something more...get a degree and get some real world experience if you can...

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Originally posted by: TGS
I know it's crazy and all, but...

The military(AF for me, so some people might debate "Military" ) does offer some good training options, if you get in the right career field. 3C0X1 for me.

HA!! 3C0's :roll:.. Get a REAL Job!......damn operators.....

Actually it's not bad, I'm just busting your chops dude...
<--2E2X1

Originally posted by: TGS
All that along with a TS/SCI security clearance will open some serious doors, even without a 4 year degree.

This he's absolutely correct about. I also got out with an SCI (downgraded to just TS now), but considering that it costs a private company around $250,000 to run the background check for a TS... DoD contracting companies will fall all over themselves to hire you if you come equipped with a clearance in-hand. If you're lucky you can get out and land a GS position (big bucks for 12's and higher).

Not trying to sell the AF, but it's not a bad route to take to get some skills and training under you and then have your degree paid for by the GI bill.

 

[TiziteLayinLow]

im kinda in the same boat.. wanting to see where i will end up.. I am 21 just finishing up my associates in networking from a local CC.. went though the cisco academy, several microsoft server couses, linux, novell (lol), and a fair share of network security classes taught by the guy who co-authored the offical debian FAQ.

I actually am a fast learner and isomniac..lol great combo for learning things, i have a learned alot of stuff just buy taking it home and breaking it and building it up.. its just not reading the books, but combined with experience even at home can be good, atleast for me.

im starting at ITT tech for information systems security.. picking up a few certs and seeing what i can find with associates while i get the bachelors to add to the experience level.. ive had some minor experience jobs.

what should i expect with this associates/a+/network+/mcp server 2003 administration...? im kinda hoping atleast 35k/yr and tuition assistance of some sort.. while i get my bachelors.

www.tizite.com/tizitenet.gif

 

[TiziteLayinLow]

Originally posted by: JoLLyRoGer

Originally posted by: TGS
I know it's crazy and all, but...

The military(AF for me, so some people might debate "Military" ) does offer some good training options, if you get in the right career field. 3C0X1 for me.

HA!! 3C0's :roll:.. Get a REAL Job!......damn operators.....

Actually it's not bad, I'm just busting your chops dude...
<--2E2X1

Originally posted by: TGS
All that along with a TS/SCI security clearance will open some serious doors, even without a 4 year degree.

This he's absolutely correct about. I also got out with an SCI (downgraded to just TS now), but considering that it costs a private company around $250,000 to run the background check for a TS... DoD contracting companies will fall all over themselves to hire you if you come equipped with a clearance in-hand. If you're lucky you can get out and land a GS position (big bucks for 12's and higher).

Not trying to sell the AF, but it's not a bad route to take to get some skills and training under you and then have your degree paid for by the GI bill.

-- can I get any of these clearances in AF reserves?

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: TiziteLayinLow
im kinda in the same boat.. wanting to see where i will end up.. I am 21 just finishing up my associates in networking from a local CC.. went though the cisco academy, several microsoft server couses, linux, novell (lol), and a fair share of network security classes taught by the guy who co-authored the offical debian FAQ.

I actually am a fast learner and isomniac..lol great combo for learning things, i have a learned alot of stuff just buy taking it home and breaking it and building it up.. its just not reading the books, but combined with experience even at home can be good, atleast for me.

im starting at ITT tech for information systems security.. picking up a few certs and seeing what i can find with associates while i get the bachelors to add to the experience level.. ive had some minor experience jobs.

what should i expect with this associates/a+/network+/mcp server 2003 administration...? im kinda hoping atleast 35k/yr and tuition assistance of some sort.. while i get my bachelors.

www.tizite.com/tizitenet.gif

I'm mid 50K with just my A+ and Net+, but I'm in a different field (QA) then IT.

 

[TGS]

Originally posted by: TiziteLayinLow

Originally posted by: JoLLyRoGer

HA!! 3C0's :roll:.. Get a REAL Job!......damn operators.....

Actually it's not bad, I'm just busting your chops dude...

<--2E2X1

Yeah I had two supervisors that were 2E2s. Both really smart guys who actually taught me a great deal.

Originally posted by: TGS
All that along with a TS/SCI security clearance will open some serious doors, even without a 4 year degree.

This he's absolutely correct about. I also got out with an SCI (downgraded to just TS now), but considering that it costs a private company around $250,000 to run the background check for a TS... DoD contracting companies will fall all over themselves to hire you if you come equipped with a clearance in-hand. If you're lucky you can get out and land a GS position (big bucks for 12's and higher).

Not trying to sell the AF, but it's not a bad route to take to get some skills and training under you and then have your degree paid for by the GI bill.

-- can I get any of these clearances in AF reserves?[/quote]

As far as that goes, I believe you may. It really just depends on what career field you go into. I think a 3C0 is a TS with an SCI Eligible status. I know during my time in the AF I was never read on for SCI as I never had a position that created the need. Though when I got out it was a fairly small window of transferring the clearance and getting me read on at the site I work at currently.

Trust me when I say, TS/SCI is an automatic 10-15K premium. Backgroud investigations take a long time (read 1-2 years) to get processed. Employers will jump at the prospects of picking someone up with experience and a clearance.

Short of any place that requires a lifestyle poly, I can work in any secured location in the US.

 

[Rapidskies]

You would be very foolish to not get a 4 year degree. Yes you can learn your skills without it, but you will need it later in your career and going back to school when you have a family, job, etc is much harder. Plus those 4 college years can be the most enjoyable years of your life. ;P