From Army To I.T(Network Engineering) (consulting, degree, job)

[JW613B]

I just got a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions due to failing the P.T test and now I want to get into I.T specifically the Networking Aspect.

I will be attending a community college in which I can transfer to a University in 1 year (1.5 years because I have to take remedial math). I do have a genuine interest in I.T I have since I was about 7.

It is a Bachelor of Science in Computer & Information Technology, I will be concentrating in Networking(Technology Systems Information & Computer Technology Program)


But I have a few questions:
How is the job market for I.T these days?*

How do I ensure I get a Network Engineering career once Im done with the program and have all of the necessary certifications and experience?

[JW613B]

The program I want to transfer to
Technology Systems Information & Computer Technology Program

[macroy]

Been in IT for almost almost 20 years (with a background in network engineering/security).

Network Engineering is under the umbrella of IT operation. As a whole, operations tends to key more on your experience than education. There are certainly places where a BA/BS will be required (e.g. Federal consulting), but it would rarely be accepted in lieu of experience.

Also, it's not really an entry level position. Many started in NOC/SOCs and/or helpdesk. Some went into system administration and 'transferred' over to network because they have a knack for it.

I'd also key in on this statement from your ECU link:

Work experience is another area of emphasis in the Information and Computer Technology program. Students are presented with and encouraged to participate in various intern opportunities.

I would ask a lot of questions regarding the internships that are offered. You definitely want to have a experience under your belt. Otherwise, you may end up spending a good amount of money on a bachelors, but still end up working in a NOC/SOC. Something you are probably qualified to do right now.

Bottom line - there is no certification or degree that is required be a network engineer. Do they help? Yes, they can. But experience is the trump card in this line of work. You can have a few IT certification and a B.S. and the guy who has 5 years of experience and nothing else will likely get the job over you.

That being said - once you have that experience, your degree will certainly come in handy when you start looking at management positions (should you want to go that route).

[johnp292]

I manage a team of network engineers and I agree with the poster above, experience is key. I can't hire people for my team unless they have, generally speaking, at least 5 years of solid network experience for a junior level position (we are a level 2/3 support team). Most commonly this experience begins at the NOC level. I generally don't view help desk as relevant for network engineers, it's too general (sorry help desk folks). While I like to see things like CCNA or CCNP certs I value actual experience more. I frankly couldn't care less if a candidate has any college at all if they have the experience. Which is not to say I don't think college education is worthwhile, but for the work my team does I need technical skill, troubleshooting skills and a good attitude.

I have found that the best network engineers have at least some experience in programming and/or systems administration as well. Maybe I'm biased because I have that kind of background myself, but I have found that programming teaches logical thinking which is always helpful in IT, and systems experience helps network engineers understand the systems that the network connects and helps us work with the people who run those systems (and like to claim the network is why their systems don't work right). I don't expect to find that in the guy with 5 years, but in the more senior roles that kind of background can be golden.