<p>If they're so worthless? I understand that associate degrees are valuable in other fields, but why IT?</p>
<p>I'd love to have a career in Database Administration, but I'm not in love with the debt I'll accumulate in the process of getting a bachelors. One of my plans would be to get an associate in Computer Technology from a local community college that has it fair share of database and programming courses, but people keep telling me that associate degrees are worthless and a waste of time. Others told me to get a help desk job and earn certs and that could get a job as a dba eventually. I've even read on forums where they say certs are worthless when you don't have a degree to go along with it. I though about majoring in MIS with a CS minor and getting a bachelors, but like I said, it's just so expensive. For those who work in IT(most particularly as a DBA and systems analyst), is there any advice you can lend me? Maybe I could go for an associates degree along with certs, get a job in help desk and hope an employer offers to pay for my bachelors?</p>
<p>CityData. com is a better place for this question to be honest.</p>
<p>That said, anyone saying that really does not know what they are talking about. An AAS in CIT is better than nothing and can earn you a good job, especially with certs. at least that is what the websites and forums are saying.</p>
<p>My sister employs some IT’s with AA degrees because the field requires on-going classes in the mechanics of the industry. IOW: its an ongoing education of lots of certificate classes. The reason some people are recommending the Bachelor’s degree is supposedly because of income level and stability.</p>
<p>My suggestion to you is to get the AA degree and start looking for IT postings among industries that don’t have “in-house” supported IT such and law offices. Tailor your search according to the resume posts descriptions of job specifications and then try to fill in the voids.</p>
<p>I’ll weigh in because I’m graduating with a BS in MIS from NYU and already have been working in the field for a few years. Certifications are important. An Associates coupled with Microsoft & Cisco certifications will get your foot in the door but if you want to advance your career or go to grad school, you’ll need a bachelors because these days it’s a requirement for most jobs except the very low-end db admin jobs. </p>
<p>Working on the certifications alone takes time - especially the more valuable certifications. What you could do is enroll in a school that allows you to take CLEP exams. You can earn a # of credits that way for classes MIS degrees require like mico-econ, macro-econ, accounting, marketing, MIS, etc. for $80 a pop. You’ll just need to study the subject pretty well.</p>
<p>@MSMO14 What’s the likelihood of an employer paying for my bachelors degree if I decided to get an AA coupled with a few certs. I tell you, I’d love to work in IT, particularly in DBA or Systems Administrator, but the debt I’ll have to incur to complete my bachelor’s makes this a tough decision for me. I really don’t want to get into too much debt. I thought about just majoring in IT at my local CC/technical College, and using my AA to get my foot in the door as a help desk technician, and trying to work my way up hopefully, but that seems risky too. Any tips on that? Thanks again.</p>
<p>When an employer is looking for someone to keep their system humming and to install security patches, pull cable, set up a robust system for the office, manage internal databases of information, decide on which server host services to use, troubleshoot machines, and maybe do some internal-only intranet applications, they will look for someone in the $50,000/year range with an Associate’s and up-to-date certifications, and will expect you to use third-party applications managed through writing scripts. You can also use this route to be an independent contractor, and perhaps to work on a team writing code for a large company (if you are really good).</p>
<p>If you want to learn to structure code, write re-usable pieces, select architectures (even choosing between a state-table approach and a more recursive approach for example), author sections of a product, delegate code-writing to a team, lead scrums, be in discussions on choices and approaches for shippable code, design a customer-facing application, etc. and earn more in the $75,000+ range, you may want to get a Bachelor’s or advanced degree.</p>
<p>So, in part it depends on what you want to do. Either is possible, but the easiest path is the most traditional path. You may be able to earn your BS on-line or through employer-paid classes, especially with larger employers.</p>
<p>@compscitechguy, If it is an option and the school is not unbearable for you (such as not fitting in or high crime rate or really dont want to put in 4 years or any other reason) I would DEFINITELY recommend an HBCU over CC. With an HBCU 4 year degree there is no real chance of losing out on a promotion because of lack of education and a BS looks better than AAS to employers.</p>
<p>@Ultimablade, There are two HBCU in my state and they’re both an hour long drive. One is a private school which is about 13,000 for tuition and another is like a little over 9,000 for tuition. I had an interest in the one for 13,000, but it’s too pricey and the cheaper one doesn’t really have the major that I really want. It has computer science (the only IT degree there), but I don’t really want to do Computer Science. I want more of a CIS/MIS type degree (IT mixed with business). I think I’d would have to take out 6,000/7,000 dollars worth of loans per semester, and I don’t think that a sound financial decision. I’m all for joining a HBCU, considering I am black lol, but I don’t think it’s quite the answer in this scenario. I guess I’d rather get an entry level job with an AA degree maybe in help desk and see if I get tuition reimbursement to pay for my bachelors. I guess that sounds risky, but I’ve seen it done for several people.</p>
<p>I say get the Associates degree and some certs. Then get a job. The mindset you need to have though, and I say this becuase I know tech people that got caught in this trap, is that your learning is lifelong in that field. Get qualified for a good paying job, get the job, get some on the job training, then go for more certifications, a bachelors degree, more certifications, another bachelors or go for a masters. The learning never stops because everyday you’re not learning is day you fall behind. It catches up after 20-25 years but it can hit in a moment in that industry because one or two revolutionary innovations can set you back to square one. Or land you out of work with suddenly useless certs.</p>
<p>@compscitechguy, That is a pretty sturdy idea. The associates will land you a good job, but you will basically cap off at 60,000$ by retirement with an AS and with a BS you will probably cap off at 80,000 by retirement. Im not really an expert on college money issues but you may be able to get a minority grant at a state college (these can be pretty hefty, especially with financial aid) and pay as much as CC. @Madaboutx gave some very good advice. IT is ALWAYS changing and you really have to keep up with the certs which in some cases are more important than a degree.</p>
<p>@Compscitechguy, you have been asking these same question on here for a year, so I’m trying to read old threads to summarize so people can help you better. Is this right?</p>
<p>-you are 24, so independent for financial aid
-you have already taken CC classes so likely you are a transfer but some colleges </p>
<p>How many completed units do you have to date?
What classes and grades? gpa?
If you didn’t take many classes, what was your HS gpa and test scores?
Are you able to live at home rent free while attending a 2 year? a 4 year?</p>
<p>It is very hard to take 2 years of upper division classes and graduate while you are working full time. Sure, some employers have tuition reimbursement programs where they will pay a certain amount each year, but you will have to take classes you can get into, that are scheduled when you are available, and at 2 at a time max it will take a very long time.</p>
<ul>
<li>I’ve taken a few classes at CC, but not enough to really amount to anything. A basic Accounting course, a English Course, an Algebra course and a CPT course. That translates to a grand total of about 12 relevant credits. However, I was accepted at a University this time last year. The problem with that is, the room and board costs so much and I really don’t have any transportation to get there from home and it’s the closest University to me. I’ve already defered my application twice already. If I don’t go to the University in January, then this will be the third consecutive semester I’ve deferred my application. Initially, I wanted to do Computer Science, but after doing some research and exploring, I think CIS/MIS is a better fit. The problem with University is the expensive room and board with is about 3,600 per semester and I can only get the pell grant. and no other aid, but a whole bunch of loans which would cripple me by the time I graduate. I don’t really want to take out but so much in loans. I thought about doing the off-campus housing like a nearby apartments, which is slightly cheaper, but trying to save for that isn’t really working out too well for me. Community College may have some transportation for me this upcoming semester if I go that route it may be the most logical route for me. I may just have to settle for an associates in IT, but hopefully, qualifies me for at least a help desk job. Then maybe I could get experience and certs and move into Network Adminstrator or something like that. I don’t know this is a tough decision for me.</li>
</ul>
<p>@BrownParent You made a great point about working full time and going to school. I never really gave that much thought. I have seen people complete their MBA in a short time span while working full time.</p>
<p>If you’re intent on pursuing a BA/BS degree, I highly suggest you avoid the for-profit schools. Take as many courses as possible at your local CC and then transfer to a public or private university (again, NOT a for-profit institution).</p>