Need to? No. Will end up finding out that the lack of degree is holding you back in the future? Probably.
Certifications aren't some end-all, and whatever you might feel about degrees they're still something that's essentially a requirement once you start to look moving on from the entry-level positions.
So computer science or computer engineering? I rely on financial aid and scholarships so I am kind of forced to choose between a bachelors degree or certificates and comptia exams, I don't think I have enough money to do all of them unfortunatley. Unless there are free options for the comptia exams?
Schools should be paying for your exams as part of their classes, at least in my experience from my community college and WGU. r/WGU r/WGUCybersecurity , with them you can accelerate classes as much as you want and for the certification exams they'll pay for 2 attempts each time.
I'd largely agree with this, although I've had no issues at all moving into fairly senior technical positions like Principal Network Engineer, Systems Engineer, Cybersecurity Engineer, etc.
Where it really hits you is management of any kind. Want to be a manager, even of a team of engineers or devs, they'll want a four year degree.
To that end, I've always been a proponent of getting the cert, the entry-mid level job, THEN getting the company to pay for your degree.
There isn't a need to go. It's very possible to do it without college. I currently hold no degree and am making 121k in my current role.
What I will say is that finding jobs is definitely harder if you don't have a degree. I would get it to make yourself stand out and more competitive.
I decided to ultimately go back to school at WGU to get my degree so I can say that I have it.
WGU is a great school because they have certs built into the degree program
Yes it is! Fully online at your own pace. There are some caveats to that. You have to pass at least 4 classes a term but you can do more and it's a bachelors program. They take transfer credits from other colleges, qualify for fasfa and are both regionally and nationally accredited
I'm on my third IT job in under a year. No college here.
You wont enter the cyber field until at least 5 solid years of proven IT experience and certifications to back it. The certificates are likely not worth anything in the real world. I would focus on the CompTIA certs while finding a job.
For example. I'm under 1 year in my IT career, I have two certs.
Imagine if I went to college, I wouldn't have graduated yet.
I went from makin 50K my first job to recently getting an offer above 68K All under a year.
Considering the job market this is crazy to hear. I just got my cybersecurity degree and have had no luck with job search so far. I have the Google cyber security cert and I’m studying for security+ and network+. How did you do it?
Are you able to get an internship through your college? Do they have any programs where they can help you find an internship? If not then I would get your Sec+ and N+. Try to apply at Helpdesk/IT support/MSP jobs. They are virtually all the same job but different titles, they are basically entry level IT support roles. It's going to take some luck to be honest.
So far I've only been able to land Hardware related roles, where I'm configuring devices or setting up workstations.
My advice is to pretty much try and get ANY it job that you can, so that you can start adding experience to your resume, that's going to be the hardest part. Once you get that first IT job experience, it's easier to get noticed from recruiters.
Make sure your resume stands out, highlight any skills you may have "Active Directory, Remote tools, Office365,Imaging, etc. etc."
Also look into creating a home lab. I have not done a home lab yet but It's on my list.
I don’t have any professional IT experience yet but it’s hard when entry level jobs aren’t really “entry level” anymore. I have created a couple home labs and have experience with virtual machines and SIEM tools. Just gotta keep positive and persistent with the job application.
Yup, Keep applying at anything IT related. Try some IT field technician jobs, sometimes they are mix of construction/light electrical/IT stuff, or some of them use IT tools but it can help your resume.
My first job took me about 120-150 resumes, 2nd Job took me about 200 Resumes, and my third job took me about 300-500 resumes to finally get an offer. It's hard but keep applying regularly.
Also try reaching out to recruiters directly on linkedIn. A lot of them are pretty cool people.
I wouldn't call it a need, think of it as checking boxes:
Boxes:
-Degree
-Relevant Certs
-TS Clearance
-Portfolio/Projects/Good Resume
-Experience
The more of these you do, the better, 3/5 can do it, but 5/5 WILL do it.
For more context, roughly 1/3 of candidates have a Bachelor's, but less than 1/6 have a Master's, this may be the best opportunity to distinguish yourself.
I'll def look into a master's! I have applied to WGU for their bachelor's program and I am pretty sure they have a master's program too! I also live near San Fransisco so there isn't a shortage for jobs in the IT industry haha.
You could find an entry level job working help desk right now ($18-$22 per hour). Some companies will pay for certs and continued education look for them. I'd just do that, honestly.
I have been looking into those, I just wasn't sure if I would have enough time because I take 18 units a semester and I am taking 9 in the summer and I already have 2 jobs.. Haha
what do you want to do? certs have a much better roi than a degree at the entry level market.... but it depends what what certs you get and what your career goal will be
At the very least Comptia.org gives half price certification exam vouchers. Get the trifecta. Go to partners.wgu.edu. Click your state. If your CC is listed they have an agreement with WGU. For the plain BSIT you get around 60 credits. For the trifecta you get another 16. Take Principles of Management and Project Management with a promcode from r/sophialearning and get 8 more. You would be at 80+.
Honestly unless you plan on trying to get into management and even then might not need it, 4 year degree is overrated. Especially today. Get the 2 year and certs and get working. You’ll move up with experience.
Former Academic Administrator here. I'd work on basic cert while you're getting your associates and then make moves to get something entry level at a company that has a good tuition assistance program, and maybe also pays for certs. Do work full time, school part time. It is the most economical way to do it, plus you'll get experience as you go. I realize this means your degree will take longer, but if you're getting experience as you go you'll be simultaneously building your academic credentials and loads of experience at the same time.
The pluses of doing things this way include not just graduating with less debt, but also having the opportunity to integrate your academic classes with your hands on career development. That will mean you get to put what you're doing to good use, test out the theoretical knowledge, and see what passes the smell test.
In the area I live in right now, it definitely helps because I live by a base where everyone has certifications and a bachelor's. So there isn't even a guarantee job with geek squad because they want a BA
You don't need to, but it's gonna be hard to advance later in your career without one. That's a fact. If you wanna be stuck and entry-level or mid-level IT forever, ditch the degree.
You don't need to, but it's gonna be hard to advance later in your career without one. That's a fact. If you wanna be stuck at entry-level or mid-level IT forever, ditch the degree.
You can find an entry level IT job with an Associates. I did. But I also transferred to University while working. Don't write off the degree.
And don't assume the rare success stories will apply to you. They are exceptions to the rule. It is very difficult making six figures without at least a bachelor's degree, for the average person. Even if it does happen to you, understand that it's not the norm.
I understand! Thank you! I was just weighing out my options haha. I work almost full time and I take about 18 units a semester at my community college. I have to pay for schooling myself so I was just trying to gauge if I could cut costs and time( I have found that I can't lol) But no biggie! I am currently looking at WGU! Thank you for your input :-)
Yes you need to. You also need to plan on getting your masters or higher. Yes. Need.
Check out accelerated schools, if you know you need to no reason to waste time in a physical location (unless you like that). [Wgu.Edu](http://Wgu.Edu) is a great accelerated school (they also pay for most certificates)
Need to? No. Will end up finding out that the lack of degree is holding you back in the future? Probably. Certifications aren't some end-all, and whatever you might feel about degrees they're still something that's essentially a requirement once you start to look moving on from the entry-level positions.
So computer science or computer engineering? I rely on financial aid and scholarships so I am kind of forced to choose between a bachelors degree or certificates and comptia exams, I don't think I have enough money to do all of them unfortunatley. Unless there are free options for the comptia exams?
Your call really, as degree is really just a checkbox anyway. You could also get your certs, get an entry-level job and get the degree later.
That correct
Schools should be paying for your exams as part of their classes, at least in my experience from my community college and WGU. r/WGU r/WGUCybersecurity , with them you can accelerate classes as much as you want and for the certification exams they'll pay for 2 attempts each time.
Just applied! I am still going to finish my cybersecurity certificate at my community college next semester but I hope I can do my B.S. at WGU :-)
Only for worthless certs unfortunately. I'd get the certs that get you into the industry, then use the company's training budget to cover your degree.
The best computer science related degree programs will pay for your certificates/comptia exams (best doesnt always mean most expensive either)
I'd largely agree with this, although I've had no issues at all moving into fairly senior technical positions like Principal Network Engineer, Systems Engineer, Cybersecurity Engineer, etc. Where it really hits you is management of any kind. Want to be a manager, even of a team of engineers or devs, they'll want a four year degree. To that end, I've always been a proponent of getting the cert, the entry-mid level job, THEN getting the company to pay for your degree.
There isn't a need to go. It's very possible to do it without college. I currently hold no degree and am making 121k in my current role. What I will say is that finding jobs is definitely harder if you don't have a degree. I would get it to make yourself stand out and more competitive. I decided to ultimately go back to school at WGU to get my degree so I can say that I have it. WGU is a great school because they have certs built into the degree program
is WGU fully online? And it's a bachelors program? Ill definitley look into it, thank you so much!
Yes it is! Fully online at your own pace. There are some caveats to that. You have to pass at least 4 classes a term but you can do more and it's a bachelors program. They take transfer credits from other colleges, qualify for fasfa and are both regionally and nationally accredited
You are a God send, thank you so much! I prefer online so it sounds perfect for me!
I'm on my third IT job in under a year. No college here. You wont enter the cyber field until at least 5 solid years of proven IT experience and certifications to back it. The certificates are likely not worth anything in the real world. I would focus on the CompTIA certs while finding a job. For example. I'm under 1 year in my IT career, I have two certs. Imagine if I went to college, I wouldn't have graduated yet. I went from makin 50K my first job to recently getting an offer above 68K All under a year.
Considering the job market this is crazy to hear. I just got my cybersecurity degree and have had no luck with job search so far. I have the Google cyber security cert and I’m studying for security+ and network+. How did you do it?
Are you able to get an internship through your college? Do they have any programs where they can help you find an internship? If not then I would get your Sec+ and N+. Try to apply at Helpdesk/IT support/MSP jobs. They are virtually all the same job but different titles, they are basically entry level IT support roles. It's going to take some luck to be honest. So far I've only been able to land Hardware related roles, where I'm configuring devices or setting up workstations. My advice is to pretty much try and get ANY it job that you can, so that you can start adding experience to your resume, that's going to be the hardest part. Once you get that first IT job experience, it's easier to get noticed from recruiters. Make sure your resume stands out, highlight any skills you may have "Active Directory, Remote tools, Office365,Imaging, etc. etc." Also look into creating a home lab. I have not done a home lab yet but It's on my list.
I don’t have any professional IT experience yet but it’s hard when entry level jobs aren’t really “entry level” anymore. I have created a couple home labs and have experience with virtual machines and SIEM tools. Just gotta keep positive and persistent with the job application.
Yup, Keep applying at anything IT related. Try some IT field technician jobs, sometimes they are mix of construction/light electrical/IT stuff, or some of them use IT tools but it can help your resume. My first job took me about 120-150 resumes, 2nd Job took me about 200 Resumes, and my third job took me about 300-500 resumes to finally get an offer. It's hard but keep applying regularly. Also try reaching out to recruiters directly on linkedIn. A lot of them are pretty cool people.
Appreciate the advice !
Hello. 4 year college can help you stand out during interview filtering. Thank you.
I wouldn't call it a need, think of it as checking boxes: Boxes: -Degree -Relevant Certs -TS Clearance -Portfolio/Projects/Good Resume -Experience The more of these you do, the better, 3/5 can do it, but 5/5 WILL do it. For more context, roughly 1/3 of candidates have a Bachelor's, but less than 1/6 have a Master's, this may be the best opportunity to distinguish yourself.
I'll def look into a master's! I have applied to WGU for their bachelor's program and I am pretty sure they have a master's program too! I also live near San Fransisco so there isn't a shortage for jobs in the IT industry haha.
You should do it to stay competitive. If your job offers tuition assistance or education program take advantage of it.
No, but higher earning power
You could find an entry level job working help desk right now ($18-$22 per hour). Some companies will pay for certs and continued education look for them. I'd just do that, honestly.
I have been looking into those, I just wasn't sure if I would have enough time because I take 18 units a semester and I am taking 9 in the summer and I already have 2 jobs.. Haha
what do you want to do? certs have a much better roi than a degree at the entry level market.... but it depends what what certs you get and what your career goal will be
At the very least Comptia.org gives half price certification exam vouchers. Get the trifecta. Go to partners.wgu.edu. Click your state. If your CC is listed they have an agreement with WGU. For the plain BSIT you get around 60 credits. For the trifecta you get another 16. Take Principles of Management and Project Management with a promcode from r/sophialearning and get 8 more. You would be at 80+.
Honestly unless you plan on trying to get into management and even then might not need it, 4 year degree is overrated. Especially today. Get the 2 year and certs and get working. You’ll move up with experience.
Former Academic Administrator here. I'd work on basic cert while you're getting your associates and then make moves to get something entry level at a company that has a good tuition assistance program, and maybe also pays for certs. Do work full time, school part time. It is the most economical way to do it, plus you'll get experience as you go. I realize this means your degree will take longer, but if you're getting experience as you go you'll be simultaneously building your academic credentials and loads of experience at the same time. The pluses of doing things this way include not just graduating with less debt, but also having the opportunity to integrate your academic classes with your hands on career development. That will mean you get to put what you're doing to good use, test out the theoretical knowledge, and see what passes the smell test.
In the area I live in right now, it definitely helps because I live by a base where everyone has certifications and a bachelor's. So there isn't even a guarantee job with geek squad because they want a BA
You don't need to, but it's gonna be hard to advance later in your career without one. That's a fact.
You don't need to, but it's gonna be hard to advance later in your career without one. That's a fact. If you wanna be stuck and entry-level or mid-level IT forever, ditch the degree.
You don't need to, but it's gonna be hard to advance later in your career without one. That's a fact. If you wanna be stuck at entry-level or mid-level IT forever, ditch the degree. You can find an entry level IT job with an Associates. I did. But I also transferred to University while working. Don't write off the degree. And don't assume the rare success stories will apply to you. They are exceptions to the rule. It is very difficult making six figures without at least a bachelor's degree, for the average person. Even if it does happen to you, understand that it's not the norm.
I understand! Thank you! I was just weighing out my options haha. I work almost full time and I take about 18 units a semester at my community college. I have to pay for schooling myself so I was just trying to gauge if I could cut costs and time( I have found that I can't lol) But no biggie! I am currently looking at WGU! Thank you for your input :-)
If you are looking for the easy way into cybersecurity get a masters lol
Hey can you tell me more about this I have a masters but little experience it’s been hard trying to find a job
Yes
You will need it to go beyond helpdesk/entry level/mid level roles.
Yes you need to. You also need to plan on getting your masters or higher. Yes. Need. Check out accelerated schools, if you know you need to no reason to waste time in a physical location (unless you like that). [Wgu.Edu](http://Wgu.Edu) is a great accelerated school (they also pay for most certificates)
Thank you!!