Which degree course for computers?

TallGlass

Hi and thanks for any advise.

Following on from a thread where someone told me the CCNA was a sack of dirt basically. Which I entirely disagree with by the way and will still complete till cert over summer. I have noticed my lack of degree in IT. I am on the ladder at the moment working full time in a level 1 helpdesk role. But have decided to go back and study part time for a degree.

I seen this one in DIT

BSc Information Systems and Information Technology (DT249)

Would anyone rate this? Would it be good for my CV or anyone have any better degree course that I could do part time.

MRTULES

TallGlass wrote: »

Hi and thanks for any advise.

Following on from a thread where someone told me the CCNA was a sack of dirt basically. Which I entirely disagree with by the way and will still complete till cert over summer. I have noticed my lack of degree in IT. I am on the ladder at the moment working full time in a level 1 helpdesk role. But have decided to go back and study part time for a degree.

I seen this one in DIT

BSc Information Systems and Information Technology (DT249)

Would anyone rate this? Would it be good for my CV or anyone have any better degree course that I could do part time.

What do you want to do/work as?
While a degree is always a good idea, the fact you already have your foot in the door and are pursuing CCNA might mean you won't need a degree to get to where you want to go. CCNA might be a sack of dirt if you are looking at doing something not network related but IMO its a perfect first step on the ladder.

TallGlass

MRTULES wrote: »

What do you want to do/work as?
While a degree is always a good idea, the fact you already have your foot in the door and are pursuing CCNA might mean you won't need a degree to get to where you want to go. CCNA might be a sack of dirt if you are looking at doing something not network related but IMO its a perfect first step on the ladder.

I honestly have no idea, if I walked into work tomorrow and they said there is a position on the network team as a junior, I would equally be as trilled if offered a Unix, Database Admin, System Engineer, Software or NOC role.

I have done the Netacad route before, so going to push and get the cert again, as I feel its something I can do now and then do something in the evenings coming September when the colleges start. I am only 25 so want to start putting down the solid foundations of a career.

I would also like to have a degree if I ever wanted to move companies, I think it would be easier.

Eire Go Brach

TallGlass wrote: »

I would also like to have a degree if I ever wanted to move companies, I think it would be easier.

If you feel this way. Do it. I should have done it at your age. Instead I was happy enough in my job.Then going home and playing xbox and watching tv. I was just plodding a long in life.

Now I am 38. Got made redundant last September from Printing. Studying now as much As I can. Probably going to college this year.
Thing is, I have a lot more responsibilities now. Kids, Mortgage etc.
Although I don't know your background. My advice would be, to do it now. Specially if don't have kids.

TallGlass

Eire Go Brach wrote: »

If you feel this way. Do it. I should have done it at your age. Instead I was happy enough in my job.Then going home and playing xbox and watching tv. I was just plodding a long in life.

Now I am 38. Got made redundant last September from Printing. Studying now as much As I can. Probably going to college this year.
Thing is, I have a lot more responsibilities now. Kids, Mortgage etc.
Although I don't know your background. My advice would be, to do it now. Specially if don't have kids.

No don't have kids. Would like a mortgage and to get paid maybe 35/45k a year. Currently on 24k now. Also would like to say I have a degree. Just which one to go for, alot of differences in price and the degree names. I would like something I could use and be an asset if you get me.

Eire Go Brach

TallGlass wrote: »

No don't have kids. Would like a mortgage and to get paid maybe 35/45k a year. Currently on 24k now. Also would like to say I have a degree. Just which one to go for, alot of differences in price and the degree names. I would like something I could use and be an asset if you get me.

That's the hard part. Deciding on what to go for. Coming from experience. Just try and do what you most enjoy. Unless your always moving forward, every job will get boring after time.
Going on your work experience. You probably know what you don't like. So start there by narrowing things down.

Nucular Arms

Can't vouch for the course per se but I did DT228 there and I found that DIT is a great school for IT, with some really brilliant lecturers (a few stinkers of course but sure what can you do!).

You'll also probably end up in grangegorman campus now rather than kevin street which means you'll probably get much better facilities than thos available in Kevin street.

Good luck with it anyway!

druidhill

I would advise you to get a Level 8 degree qualification, as it can very often open doors for you in the future. Avoid putting it off, as it won't get any easier.

While it is always good to get first hand information about courses from past students, as previously mentioned by Eire Go Brach try to find a course that interests you, as any relevant Level 8 IT (or related discipline) qualification is what employers look for (often a HR policy), so why not do something that you like.

Have you looked into your employer funding your course? This might be a viable option if you can see your future with them.

I'd get moving on this now as applications for many courses starting in September may be closing soon (if not already).

Good luck.

Cuddlesworth

The thread in computers? There is nothing wrong with the CCNA, its just devalued. The person asking believes he will get a job by doing it, which at this point is not a given.

For you, already employed in a helpdesk that might not specifically be the case. For example, even working I would expect you to get it before 3 months. By the end of the year you could have picked up a CCNA, VCP(Stanford university) and a MCSA. Which if presented with a opportunity, would allow you to be considered for the role. But you should get a degree. It does hold you back.

TallGlass

I have applied in the end for the course in DIT;

BSc Information Systems and Information Technology

Will continue to study for my CCNA in the time being until I hear something back from DIT. On the CCNA is it necessary to read every single topic in the books? If I was to just cover the key topics would that cover me?

Employer would pay for the course, but going to pay with my own money that way if I mess up it won't get in me in trouble, plus with my own money I think I will be more determined to show up/do well in the course.

As for the VCP have no idea what that is and with Microsoft certs I have no idea where to start.

IvoryTower

If work paid for it id be more likely to show up and not mess it up. I piss away my own money every day!

Eire Go Brach

Fair play to you for deciding to do it.
Plus in regards to doing certificates. It can all depend on who you do the training with regards to getting employed. If your unemployed Certain groups have good business partners that's they work with. They are then placed afterwords on these companies. Skillnets have quite a high succes rate.

TallGlass

IvoryTower wrote: »

If work paid for it id be more likely to show up and not mess it up. I piss away my own money every day!

I have things paid for before by people, want to earn this myself. Besides if I want to move company I would have to pay them off or something just better for me. But I get what you mean !

Eire Go Brach wrote: »

Fair play to you for deciding to do it.
Plus in regards to doing certificates. It can all depend on who you do the training with regards to getting employed. If your unemployed Certain groups have good business partners that's they work with. They are then placed afterwords on these companies. Skillnets have quite a high succes rate.

Got an email back from DIT application is submitted so it's just a waiting game now to hear back regards an interview or what not. Still looking into the CCNA but there is quite alot in it and I am getting bogged down in reading and not really remembering much.

druidhill

TallGlass wrote: »

I have things paid for before by people, want to earn this myself. Besides if I want to move company I would have to pay them off or something just better for me. But I get what you mean !

I'd advise you to reconsider ...

You will earn this yourself, regardless of how the fees are paid, and if you do move and you have to pay back the fees then you will be in the exact same financial position you are now (or are about to be).

Eire Go Brach

Most Companies encourage studying. They only don't pay if you fail. Which is fair enough.

TallGlass

I get what you guys are saying but the thing is I am only a few months in the new company, and I don't want to hold off on this any longer.

Or should I get into another industry !

My plan over the last few days is get the degree get the experience and certs, then head of to Aus, I'll be about 30 then. As looking at the property market here I don't think I will get a house and I won't be renting is even higher priced.

TallGlass

Guys, what are peoples thoughts on getting the CCNA in five weeks? No brain dumps crap just going over the stuff again.

Kinet1c

TallGlass wrote: »

Guys, what are peoples thoughts on getting the CCNA in five weeks? No brain dumps crap just going over the stuff again.

If you've absolutely nothing else going on your life and can commit 8 hours a day then sure you might be able to get it done.

Musicman2000

Ive done a Bsc in Information Technology about 2 years ago. Did it benefit me or prepare me for industry ?simple answer to this no. The amount of complete rubbish that is being thought to students is ridiculous. System Administration is my area so CCNA'S and MCSA'S are more recognised in industry than any degree plus experience. It really bugs me when I see desktop support roles looking for degrees. If you do want to go down the degree root for programming I would recommend it.

IvoryTower

I found my IT degree very useful and would recommend it over any cert for those starting off, so there

We covered a bit of everything you would need as a sys admin

krankykitty

IvoryTower wrote: »

I found my IT degree very useful and would recommend it over any cert for those starting off, so there

We covered a bit of everything you would need as a sys admin

What course did you do?

IvoryTower

Applications & Support in DKIT which was level 7, then the final year was IT Management which brought it up to level 8.

We covered the ccna, active directory, sql, vb, web design, ITIL and heaps more. They also contacted me since then for suggestions on improvements, to see if there's anything they should add/replace etc.

I imagine most half decent IT degrees cover all these aspects now. I've got a number of certs over the years, I can barely remember a thing from them and people can easily cheat to get them so i don't rate them all that highly. They can look decent on your cv all the same(but not as decent as a degree )

Hollister11

A good idea would to do a Level 6 Higher certificate in a college, Say computer applications in NCI, then after two years you can progress into year 3 of three different courses. Computing, Business information Systems, or Technology management.

Cuddlesworth

IvoryTower wrote: »

They can look decent on your cv all the same(but not as decent as a degree )

Depends on the cert. A relevant CCIE for example trumps a degree any day, unless the HR/Manager fronting the CV's has no clue what's going on.

There are equivalent specialist qualifications in other areas too.

IvoryTower

Yeah I guess it depends on the job as well. I went tech support > engineer > sys admin > network admin > IT manager and I dont feel at any point a cisco cert etc wouldve looked better than having my degree.

But if I was applying to be a cisco engineer etc, then I assume the cert would be preferable. (but I would still recommend anyone starting off to get a degree!) I actually can't remember what the point of this thread was so i'll stop talking now

TallGlass

Ok so I got an acceptance email for DIT.

How much in total is this course? Is it 2750 I can't make sense of the DIT website, its like using two separate websites.

Cuddlesworth

TallGlass wrote: »

Ok so I got an acceptance email for DIT.

How much in total is this course? Is it 2750 I can't make sense of the DIT website, its like using two separate websites.

How much does the programme cost?

Fees for a whole stage are approximately €2,700 per year, payable in part in September and in part in January

Individual modules cost €470 (except 5 credit modules at stage 4, which cost €230.

Fees are payable in two installments, in September and January.

All fees listed here are for the 2015/2016 academic year - these are subject to change for future academic years.

TallGlass

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

How much does the programme cost?

Fees for a whole stage are approximately €2,700 per year, payable in part in September and in part in January

Individual modules cost €470 (except 5 credit modules at stage 4, which cost €230.

Fees are payable in two installments, in September and January.

All fees listed here are for the 2015/2016 academic year - these are subject to change for future academic years.

Thanks cuddlesworth. What dose this mean? I'm reading it as 2700€ plus the cost of each module? Is this correct. So around 5000€ per year?

Cuddlesworth

TallGlass wrote: »

Thanks cuddlesworth. What dose this mean? I'm reading it as 2700€ plus the cost of each module? Is this correct. So around 5000€ per year?

Doubt it. I read it as the below.

Its part time, broken into two parts per stage/year which are divided into 3 modules per part(Tues, Wed, Thurs).

You have to complete 6 modules to complete a year/stage.

If you purchase the year, you pay 2700.

If you purchase per module, either by half year or single module(repeat exam or upskill), you pay 470 per module. Which works out slightly more expensive. If your company was paying for it, they would generally go for the half year payment.

TallGlass

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

Doubt it. I read it as the below.

Its part time, broken into two parts per stage/year which are divided into 3 modules per part(Tues, Wed, Thurs).

You have to complete 6 modules to complete a year/stage.

If you purchase the year, you pay 2700.

If you purchase per module, either by half year or single module(repeat exam or upskill), you pay 470 per module. Which works out slightly more expensive. If your company was paying for it, they would generally go for the half year payment.

Thanks again, that's what I was thinking, but then again this been Ireland I wasn't sure if it was 2700 registration fee then the cost per module.

Company don't pay for workers to do courses, I will be paying it myself, so don't think I am open to any grants or anything.

Cuddlesworth

TallGlass wrote: »

Company don't pay for workers to do courses, I will be paying it myself, so don't think I am open to any grants or anything.

Have you checked? Most mid to large companies I have worked for have been more than happy to pay for college. They usually use it as a guarantee of x number of years and fob it off as training.

twilight_singer

TallGlass wrote: »

Thanks again, that's what I was thinking, but then again this been Ireland I wasn't sure if it was 2700 registration fee then the cost per module.

Company don't pay for workers to do courses, I will be paying it myself, so don't think I am open to any grants or anything.

Not sure if this would interest you but I did this course a few years ago:

http://www.it-tallaght.ie/index.cfm/page/coursept?id=154

Fees are Eur 1200m per year as its a Flite course (A Flexible Information Technology Education)

Its really good course and fairly broad.

"This programme is supported by the Higher Education Authority. Consequently, the fee per academic year is only €1200 (3 years) (inclusive of ITT Dublin registration fee and examination fee). All students who apply for this course will be assessed for the eligibility for this HEA subsidy and this will be awarded to all eligible applicants (please see page 132 of the part-time prospectus for further information)"

MajorMax

TallGlass wrote: »

I have applied in the end for the course in DIT;

BSc Information Systems and Information Technology

Will continue to study for my CCNA in the time being until I hear something back from DIT. On the CCNA is it necessary to read every single topic in the books? If I was to just cover the key topics would that cover me?

Employer would pay for the course, but going to pay with my own money that way if I mess up it won't get in me in trouble, plus with my own money I think I will be more determined to show up/do well in the course.

As for the VCP have no idea what that is and with Microsoft certs I have no idea where to start.

Good luck with the Degree, hope you see it through. I am seriously considering this degree next year, I want to do a foundation course in Maths first as I'm quite a long time out of school. Please keep us advised of how you get on

Cuddlesworth

MajorMax wrote: »

Good luck with the Degree, hope you see it through. I am seriously considering this degree next year, I want to do a foundation course in Maths first as I'm quite a long time out of school. Please keep us advised of how you get on

Honestly, you would be much better off justing hitting the Khan academy math section for 20 minutes a evening. You will probably end up at honors level maths in a month or two.

TallGlass

twilight_singer wrote: »

Not sure if this would interest you but I did this course a few years ago:

http://www.it-tallaght.ie/index.cfm/page/coursept?id=154

Fees are Eur 1200m per year as its a Flite course (A Flexible Information Technology Education)

Its really good course and fairly broad.

"This programme is supported by the Higher Education Authority. Consequently, the fee per academic year is only €1200 (3 years) (inclusive of ITT Dublin registration fee and examination fee). All students who apply for this course will be assessed for the eligibility for this HEA subsidy and this will be awarded to all eligible applicants (please see page 132 of the part-time prospectus for further information)"

Is this not as usually targeted at people who are on the Social?

twilight_singer

TallGlass wrote: »

Is this not as usually targeted at people who are on the Social?

Nope, I did it part time while working.

TallGlass

Might look into it, trying to knock the Cisco CCNA out of the way still, its taking forever ! I have the books, a uDemy course and I have access to the old CCNA netacad from college so going over each topic in each, to complement each other. It's starting to stick, my plan is to do this get all the topics out of the way, labs from the CCNA netacad out of the way then just blast questions out of it for around 2 weeks then take the test. Hopefully I pass, aiming for end of August to take the test.

twilight_singer

TallGlass wrote: »

Might look into it, trying to knock the Cisco CCNA out of the way still, its taking forever ! I have the books, a uDemy course and I have access to the old CCNA netacad from college so going over each topic in each, to complement each other. It's starting to stick, my plan is to do this get all the topics out of the way, labs from the CCNA netacad out of the way then just blast questions out of it for around 2 weeks then take the test. Hopefully I pass, aiming for end of August to take the test.

Its tough but worth doing, its great for the CV. Just think of the extra cash when you move on to another role. With your level 1 experience and ccna you will be able to get a decent desktop/network support job

TallGlass

twilight_singer wrote: »

Its tough but worth doing, its great for the CV. Just think of the extra cash when you move on to another role. With your level 1 experience and ccna you will be able to get a decent desktop/network support job

Cheers for the support, appricate it. Making some progress with it going over STP at the moment. Quite alot in it, lots to take in. Then again no one said it was easy!

TallGlass

So just an update, still hammering away at the CCNA and just up as far as Chapter 16, configuring IP routes. Subnetting took me a while to get my head back into that way of thinking but eventually got there.

I also got another offer for a course in NCI BSc(honours) in Computing part time. Its a bit more pricey at 3700€ but would be closer to home I live around the Kilmore area so could cycle into NCI while as Kevin St would be a drive in each evening plus not sure on parking etc..

Tallaght I still have not looked into as the travel might make it awkward to get to from my location.

Is there not grants on this for me part time? I have never been to proper college before to study for a degree.

Hollister11

TallGlass wrote: »

So just an update, still hammering away at the CCNA and just up as far as Chapter 16, configuring IP routes. Subnetting took me a while to get my head back into that way of thinking but eventually got there.

I also got another offer for a course in NCI BSc(honours) in Computing part time. Its a bit more pricey at 3700€ but would be closer to home I live around the Kilmore area so could cycle into NCI while as Kevin St would be a drive in each evening plus not sure on parking etc..

Tallaght I still have not looked into as the travel might make it awkward to get to from my location.

Is there not grants on this for me part time? I have never been to proper college before to study for a degree.

Have a look for SUSI grants.

TallGlass

So ITT got back to me, they want maths and if you ain't got that they want you to do a maths program in August? Think is I don't think I could fit it in during August, I ideally want to be CCNA certified by the end of August/September.

Eire Go Brach

You do realise most degree courses will have enough content to pass the CCNA.

I am probably doing that Maths course myself.

twilight_singer

TallGlass wrote: »

Tallaght I still have not looked into as the travel might make it awkward to get to from my location.
.

27 bus goes to tallaght from Coolock, but its a long route

twilight_singer

TallGlass wrote: »

So ITT got back to me, they want maths and if you ain't got that they want you to do a maths program in August? Think is I don't think I could fit it in during August, I ideally want to be CCNA certified by the end of August/September.

Are you under 23? can you not just apply as a mature student, you shouldnt even need the LC for that

Musicman2000

Eire Go Brach wrote: »

You do realise most degree courses will have enough content to pass the CCNA.

I am probably doing that Maths course myself.

Don't agree with you on that one. Some degree courses will touch on some of the CCNA material apart from that not a patch on a full CCNA thats if you want to specialise in networking . As my IT manager once told be he would pick a person with a CCNA and MCSA qualification over a graduate anyway .

Eire Go Brach

Musicman2000 wrote: »

Don't agree with you on that one. Some degree courses will touch on some of the CCNA material apart from that not a patch on a full CCNA thats if you want to specialise in networking . As my IT manager once told be he would pick a person with a CCNA and MCSA qualification over a graduate anyway .

I am going on what I have been told by staff members at IT Tallaght during open days. It is a question I asked. A Graduate from ITB also told me this as well. He never went on to do the exam though. I would imagine it would require extra study though.

IvoryTower

In dkit we followed the ccna course as part of our networking module, we were recommended to sit the ccna exams in the summer

Hollister11

Do National College of Ireland follow CCNA ?

TallGlass

Eire Go Brach wrote: »

You do realise most degree courses will have enough content to pass the CCNA.

Yes? I don't really get this point to be honest, it's not going to harm anyone to do the CCNA now?

CCNA covers networking, the theory's and logic don't just change because its a college course?

If anything, the CCNA will cover me for 4 years, I will be at the end of college in 4 years so will certify again, and have the CCNA and a degree? What's the problem with that? Plenty in the office have there arrangements the same.

BTW the CCNA is no walk in the park that some people have you believe it might even be harder than the college course content, with a pass you need to be above 85%. It would also place me in a postition to tip away at the CCNP over the next few years.

Anyways, ITT have not got back to be so I am between NCI and DIT, both are good colleges, NIC is closer to me and DIT is at Kevin Street, what would a cycle from around Kilmore to there be like?

Cuddlesworth

TallGlass wrote: »

If anything, the CCNA will cover me for 4 years, I will be at the end of college in 4 years so will certify again, and have the CCNA and a degree? What's the problem with that? Plenty in the office have there arrangements the same.

Your cert expires in 2 years unless you do a new exam or one at a equivalent level.