got my ccna and mcsa... whats next...diploma?

[zoltron30]

hi guys i completed my ccna and mcsa certifications but now im thinking about a college diploma. i was thinking about either

http://www.senecac.on.ca/fulltime/CNS.html

i dont want to go for a 3 yr diploma due to time and money but the course looks easier than my 2 certs. what do you guys think? the diploma looks easier than my certs.


ps sorry for the double post...

[hopsoid]

what about a mcse?

[untaka]

hi guys i completed my ccna and mcsa certifications but now im thinking about a college diploma. i was thinking about either

http://www.senecac.on.ca/fulltime/CNS.html

i dont want to go for a 3 yr diploma due to time and money but the course looks easier than my 2 certs. what do you guys think? the diploma looks easier than my certs.


ps sorry for the double post...

Because it is, in IT school can become a big waste depending on what you want to do. You could easily land a tech support job.

[direct-x]

Congrats.

What type of background do you have in IT (any experience in the working world?)

I would defnetely suggest getting some type of specialization such as an intensive networking program, or whatever interests you under your belt. Employers will definately look at this combined with your certs.

Remember, certs are only as good as the experience you have doing the work.

Anybody can memorize and pass an exam. Ask them to put it into practice hands-on, and they are clueless.

You are on the right path though, keep it up.

As the other poster stated, you should also upgrade to MCSE.

I currently have the following combined with 12 years networking experience.

CCNA/CCNP/CCSP/MCSE 2000-2003/Apple OSX

Word of caution as many employers and people in the industry are split on certifications.

There seems to be a grey area on their real value.

I have interviewed many candidates who were certified to the roof, but could not answer the simplest technical questions.

I have also interviewed people with no certifications who stronger technically than myself.

Best thing is solid experience, combined with your education.

If anything, getting certified shows a certain discipline to sit down, plan, prepare and execute to pass the exam.

Good luck.

[zoltron30]

thanks guys for the responses. wasnt planning on pursuing the mcse unless needed by my employer. im currently working full time for rogers doing tech support and previously worked at tmobile doing the same type of work. have like 5 yrs work exp. i was looking at the cns program at seneca but it looks so easy. i took a couple of seneca course in the cns program already part-time.

i was thinking for now get a odd job on the weekends and complete the seneca program part time....

[bacid1]

like the other poster said, certs are only useful if you can apply the knowledge and have the experience to back it up.

i have no certs and i run circles around 99% of mcse/ccna

[hehehaha]

IMHO, get a degree, or study something not related to IT in college/university.

CNS in seneca is not for you. i think you are wasting your time and money.

[bball_homer]

it's like ppl said...certification is a system that states you 'supposedly' can do these stuff but because it's a system, ppl can cheat through it

but honestly...if you really have the skills and abilities to back-up your CCNA and MCSA, then try to look for a program that has a good co-op program, which will hook you up with employers that will look for people who are actually good

on the other hand, if you don't really like it and stuff, then it doesn't really matter

[zoltron30]

hey guys thanks for the many responses. the only reason why i considered seneca's cns program was the fact that the diploma looks so easy, and the fact that it would be good to have a college diploma....

i looked at ryesrsons Information Systems Management program as well but its very expensive and the Systems Analysis and Design
course looks like it involves programming

[sleepyguy]

Unless you want to stay in support (I'm not sure anyone does), then go to ryerson and get they P/T degree program in ITM or something so you can branch off in other career fields that can open much much bigger doors. -sg

[airodus]

Support is pretty dead end career-wise. You should think about gaining more soft skills like team or project management.

[Sepiraph]

You should try to get a job, $ + experience > diploma.

Beside in IT a diploma is not that highly valued IMHO.

[dgmorr]

I hear the Trafalgar campus is best for this

http://www1.sheridaninstitute.ca/programs/0708/ptltc/

[zoltron30]

thanks for the responses. i dont have the time or money for a degree, although i can maybe complete a univ degree part-time. right now i have the experience and the certs and making pretty decent money.

i think ill go the with the diploma path and take a course in project management as well...

cns may not be for me but its the easiest way to go i think and then maybe take a project management course.......

[macalin]

A diploma is an even more waste of time and money. Your experience + certification >>>>> Diploma.

Honestly, if you're bent on going back to school, spend the extra bucks on the ITM program in Ryerson as others have said(part time it if you have to). This will set your ceiling MUCH higher, and give you a lot more options/opportunities in the future. This would be a good investment on your part.