I must speak on behalf of education, specifically the combination of higher
education and industry certification.
For most of my twenties I spent in the U.S. military making something close
to nothing capping out at almost 18K/year after 6 1/2 years. I finally
'got a clue' about half way through and earned a Bachelor's degree in
Computer Science with a 4.0 GPA. While earning that degree I got started
in the computer industry working as a part-time network administrator for
my flying squadron. My full-time obligation was as a C-130 air crew
member. The network I helped to administer was a small NetWare LAN
encompassing about 4 one-level buildings with approximately 20-30 nodes in
each. I received no router experience, but was sent to two Novell courses
on behalf of the U.S. government. After the classes, I earned the CNE
certification about 2 years later, and voluntarily separated from the
United States Air Force with an Honorable Discharge two months after that.
Total time in the industry so far, about two years. Then I embarked upon
my civilian career in the corporate world. My first job outside the
military was as a help desk technician earning about 42K with a 3K sign-on
bonus. Not bad, going from 18K to 42K/year. Substantial ROI I would say.
I spent six dreadful months working in that capacity, then switched
companies and titles. I then worked as a Network Engineer in a Research
and Development department earning 55K/year and no sign-on bonus. It was
in this position that I started getting hands-on experience with routers
and switches, primarily Nortel Networks equipment and some Cisco (or Crisco
as I used to call it). Also during that time I completed my MCSE, CCNA,
and NNCSS (Nortel Networks Certified Support Specialist). In addition,
this company sent me to three classes, two on TCP/IP and one on Nortel
Networks routers. After earning the CCNA, the fiscal year had begun again
and I had not received much of an increase so I began to look outside to
other companies. I found a medium-sized health care organization that was
willing to hire me on at 70K/year with a 5K sign-on bonus and my title is
Senior Network Engineer. Naturally, I took it and this is where I am
writing from to you this day. Now I work the least that I have ever worked
and I earn the most I have ever imagined in this short period of time.
I've just earned the CCDA credential this week and will be studying for the
CCIE Written and hopefully passing the exam this summer. So far, total
time spent in the industry is 5 years. Fast burner? Maybe. Couldn't have
done it without my Bachelor's Degree and my certifications.
My advice to anyone who is willing to heed: Pray to the Almighty Father,
model of all providers; love Information Technology, study hard, earn a
4-year degree and those certs (as many as you possibly can), earn as much
experience as you can (you do not necessarily need 10 or more years in
anything), and very importantly, interview and negotiate well because the
grass IS greener on the other side in this industry.
May God be with all of you.
Thank you,
Raul De La Garza III
CCDA NNCSS CCNA MCSE CNE
Senior Network Engineer
EmCare Incorporated
Work 214.712.2085
Mobile 817.991.7889
Pager 877.270.9755
e-mail: Raul_DeLaGarza@xxxxxxxxxx
Gary
Frisen
cc:
Sent by: Subject: RE: Tech Schools?!
[1:1244]
nobody@xxxxxx
tudy.com
02/01/01
06:27
PM
Please
respond
to
Gary
Frisen
Education is one thing, what you do with it is another. I went to Tech
School(2 1/2 yrs), Two years in electronics/electromechanical technology.
Six months in PC repair. It was a county school and the teacher sucked.
On
graduation I knew more than him. When I got out my goal was to work in
corporate MIS. What I got was entry level, $6.50/hr.
Four years later, still with no cert's I make pretty good money. Not quite
that 60-75K everyone talks about, but good money none the less. I don't
think anyone makes that much just starting out. Those salary figures
everyone sees is industry hype.
Currently I'm a LAN Manager, responsible for 150+ workstations (100 wired),
6 servers, 5 locations, 3 WAN nodes.
This year is I will get those Cert's. I easily get 65% on MCSE practice
tests without study. I have all kinds of hardware at my disposal to gain
experience on. NT Servers, W2K Servers, Unix Servers, Cisco Routers, and
various other LAN/WAN hardware.
My greatest asset it the experience I've gained. When the company president
wants to know why the Internet is down, you better know how to troubleshoot
quick.
My advice. Get into corporate as soon as possible. Excellent experience,
and possibly a company paid/subsidized education.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
> Christopher Kolp
> Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 4:28 PM
> To: associate@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: Tech Schools?! [1:1244]
>
>
> I graduated high school with a guy who went
> into tech school as opposed to college.
>
> He now works at Specs Music selling CDs. No joke.
> They may be applicable in the automotive industry, but
> I don't know of any employer who wouldn't rather have a BS in CS.
>
> Maybe a recruiter here can shed some light on this?
>
> ck
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
> Gary Perkins
> Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 4:14 PM
> To: jobs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Tech Schools?! [3:1244]
>
>
> Morning everyone,
>
> I'm new to the list, and this is my first posting. Please let me
> know if I
> make a mistake.
>
> I'm interested in changing 'careers', and moving into high-tech with the
> primary expertise in some area of networking.
>
> To get up to speed as quickly as possible (as in make a buck) I
> thought I'd
> go through a tech school, then pursue certifications, then continue my CS
> degree. Opinions?
>
> Also, could you help me out with recommendations as to quality
> tech schools?
> I'm open to any location.
>
> Thanks for any and all help,
> Gary
>
>
>
>
> Message Posted at:
> http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=3&i=1244&t=1244
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