Old man heads back to school.

[sourceninja]

So I've decided it's time to head back to school and get a degree. I've been working in my industry for 15 years and I'm pretty successful, but I know I've missed a few opportunities because I didn't have the paper.

I've decided to enroll at WGU in the IT program. The question is this:

Networking, software development, or security?

I've worked in network/admin and software development in my career and I've dabbled in security from time to time, but I'm not sure which path will be the best looking on paper. I've already got quite a few certifications (A+, Net+, all the MTA's, vmware VCP, etc) so this is really about getting value from the degree. Both programs require a CCNA with the main difference being a MCSA from the networking path and a CCNA - security and Linux+ on the security side.

I'm already about to finish my MCSA (New job is windows focused so I've had to make up for 15 years of unix/linux), so would it be wiser to take the security path? I'm also planning on pushing this into the masters program and not sure which would look better on the resume?

Any advice for old industry farts who finally want the paper to back up their career choice?

 

[Poulsonator]

Which appeals to you most? I'm an engineer for Sprint and personally I lean networking / security. I'm working towards my CCIE, and hope to focus on the security side of things once it's all said and done. And like you, I got my degree later in life (and technically, it doesn't have anything to do with my career choice).

My advice is to just do it regardless. It's not hard, just takes the commitment to study your ass off (the Cisco certs, not so much the classes).

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Networking and security aren't going to go away. Take your pick, or dabble in both and see what's more fun.

My Cisco instructor says that networking industry is about to hit a boom as IPv6 becomes more prevalent. I hope he's right because I want a job.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Old people should not go back to school. You are taking a spot away from the young bucks who are the future. Time to retire your dinosaur ass old man.

 

[dank69]

 

[Shortcut]

Old people should not go back to school. You are taking a spot away from the young bucks who are the future. Time to retire your dinosaur ass old man.

. On the other hand every frat needs a Blue... So OP: go get em!

 

[zinfamous]

I just watched that for the billionth time the other day. Truly one of the great, genre-defining "80s flicks." Right up there with Caddyshack--I see a similarity...

another note: Robert Downey Jr's snarky portrayal of everything sure has carried him a long way.

 

[wedi42]

I had a similar dilemma when I went to school.

I took generals and what ever IT classes that were common to the 2 degrees i was considering. I quickly know networking wasn't for me. So I focused on software development after that.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Another vote for networking or security. The secret handshake frat crowd eliminates software development from older candidates.

 

[sourceninja]

Just a quick bit of info to chew on. This is all online coursework, so really it breaks down like this:

1) Path of least resistance (aka the path where I can test out of a ton of shit and get the most credit for my existing certs and college).
2) The path that is challenging and interesting (security).
3) Middle of the road (Networking).

Right now I'm leaning to security as I feel like it's an area I could excel at, but still hashing it out.

 

[mikeford]

You may be shocked to find out how much class work in required to get a decent degree from a decent school. OTOH plenty of pay to pass programs catering to the elderly and insecure, and generally nobody cares about paper that isn't in their own field from a similar school.

Maybe not the biggest waste of time you could consider, but it will rank.

 

[sourceninja]

You may be shocked to find out how much class work in required to get a decent degree from a decent school. OTOH plenty of pay to pass programs catering to the elderly and insecure, and generally nobody cares about paper that isn't in their own field from a similar school.

Maybe not the biggest waste of time you could consider, but it will rank.

My wife recently graduated from WGU. I was pretty skeptical at first, but having worked in higher ed and taught college level courses I was pretty impressed with the expectations of her courses and the material taught. It was on the caliber of anything I've encountered in my career. It was the driving factor to enroll there.

Essentially it's pass/fail with industry certs as final exams for courses where that fits. She was able to test out of the things she new really well and the things she didn't know were appropriately challenging. Most importantly the credits transfer to most of the major schools in the area.

 

[mikeford]

My wife recently graduated from WGU. I was pretty skeptical at first, but having worked in higher ed and taught college level courses I was pretty impressed with the expectations of her courses and the material taught. It was on the caliber of anything I've encountered in my career. It was the driving factor to enroll there.

Essentially it's pass/fail with industry certs as final exams for courses where that fits. She was able to test out of the things she new really well and the things she didn't know were appropriately challenging. Most importantly the credits transfer to most of the major schools in the area.

Right, most will consider this as different from a real degree. Its like a GED for college.

 

[sourceninja]

Right, most will consider this as different from a real degree. Its like a GED for college.

Right but at this point I work 65 hours a week. There is no time to go to a 'real' school. On the upside having a degree will help get me past the 'must have a degree' crowed, and hopefully the certs can help push my career a bit further.

Plus I tried real school. I can't handle being around 19 year olds anymore. I don't need most of what college offers such as learning to handle stress, making connections to help find that first job, etc.

What I really need is a paper that says "This guy got a paper that says he knows his crap". To help get past HR and help break those ties when a job prospect likes me and another guy.

In any case, I've decided to go the security focus.

http://www.wgu.edu/online_it_degrees/information_technology_degree_security

and then

http://www.wgu.edu/online_it_degrees/information_security_assurance_degree

 

[CZroe]

If by "WGU" you had meant West Georgia University, then I'd have liked to join you.

 

[mikeford]

I don't see what WGU offers as step out of IT. IT technically salaries have some hard caps on the upper limit. To get around it you need a change in title and almost certainly a job someplace else.