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RMTsot
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Is paying a training school worth the money to obtain certifications?
Career development, Certifications, Computer engineering, IT education, IT training, Microsoft Certified Professional, CompTIA, Cisco certifications, Microsoft certifications, Networking certifications, CCNA, IT certification and training, MCSA, MCP, A+, Security certifications, CCENT, Security+, MCTS, Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator, IT jobs, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician, Cisco Certified Network Associate
Hi, I am currently considering enrolling in an IT training program that supplies all training and materials along with the testing for 7 certifications (A+, Security+, MCTS, MCP, MCSA, CCENT & CCNA) Everything is included in the tuition along with a new computer to do the training on. The cost is around $25,000. Is this worth it?
I do not have any experience in the IT field. I do not have an associates or bachlors degree. I am currently enrolled in school part time to finish my degree but it will be another 3-4 years untill I finish just my associates. I am wanting to get a computer engineering degree. I love computers and have ever since I was a kid. I am almost 40, so this is a huge career change for me. I have recently been laid off and there are few jobs out there so I was wondering if this training for this amount of money would be worth it for me to break into the field before I obtain my degree?

Thanks for all input.
ASKED: Dec 6 2008  7:50 PM GMT
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Mrdenny
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I would recommend checking out the classes and options that your local community college offers. You can probably get the same training for far less money.

Do keep in mind that getting all these certifications with no work experience in the field will do you absolutely no good. Having certifications with no experience shows that you can take exams, not that you can work in the field.
Last Answered: Dec 6 2008  9:35 PM GMT by Mrdenny   47070 pts.
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Wrobinson   5610 pts.  |   Dec 7 2008  3:29PM GMT

The value of any training is not in who presents it, its content or any certification. Instead, it is the knowledge that is taken away. Training courses alone may be sufficient preparation for certification exams but the typical review or boot camp style training does not impart the kind of wisdom that only comes from experience working with technology.

Instead of trying to knock down all of the certification listed, I recommend spending some time to figure out what it is that you want to do in IT, then plan your certifications accordingly. The reason I say this is because at one end of the spectrum is A+ and at the other, Cisco with everything in between. Combined with relatively little experience, this is more likely to rattle your brain and leave you spread pretty thin across technology areas.

Having a formal degree is good but generally not required, despite it being listed as a such in most job posts.

I know that times are tough, especially if you’re not working but a little sweat equity may pay off. By this I mean see if there are any computer labs that you can volunteer at in the meantime which will help build experience, while looking for that break-in opportunity.

 

Alphonso   10 pts.  |   Dec 8 2008  5:30PM GMT

I disagree! As an computer tech on the job (working for a major computer computer) having your cert. will put in a better job position with a higher pay rate then your fellow worker that does not have any. There is no college that can teach you more in death about any computer related topic than a Microsoft training school.I have noticed that people with an cert. already understand the concept better than anyone that has a degree . You do need to gain some hand on experience . But having a cert. on our Resume will get you in the door faster than someone with just a degree. I would start by getting A+ first ,than move on from there meaning start gaining your hands on while working on your A+.

 

RBoyken   20 pts.  |   Dec 9 2008  3:03PM GMT

I would tend to agree with the others who have posted here. I got my A+ this past spring and it helped me land the IT job I have now. I am now working on my Network+ and filling in holes in my knowledge so that I can continue to move up the ladder. I have done this mainly through self study books that I bought and through on the job training. You can get the certs, but if you don’t have the knowledge to back it up, then your employer will figure that out in short order.

 

KevinBeaver   7485 pts.  |   Dec 10 2008  8:43PM GMT

$25,000? Ouch! Seems a bit steep. You’d be better off paying a business in your area $25,000 to do their security work for them so you can get the hands-on experience that you really need. In all seriousness, you do need to focus your efforts on getting some experience - via volunteer work or whatever. Check out my post titled Are certifications hurting your salary more than helping? here.

Bottom line - focus on bettering yourself and getting your hands dirty with this stuff…once you’ve got momentum in that area, then you can pursue a certification or two that may help you out.

 
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