Should I do a Cert in It first or go straight to a diploma in networking/Cloud technology?

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KiwiSpyGirl

11 posts

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#245165 22-Jan-2019 08:36

Hi all,

So I posted years ago about wanting to move into the IT industry but ended up getting work in the Health and Safety industry (construction and steel manufacturing) so moving into IT was put on hold until that all fell apart.

So now 100% serious about wanting to move into IT. While been unemployed most of last year I have

Tried teaching myself programming via code academy then Udemy (Python). I found it boring AF (sorry just not for me) so programming is out.
Tried teaching myself BA (again not for me, REALLY not for me so this is out as well).
ATM don’t really think testing is for me.

So I was looking at Cloud technology and Networking at AMES which look good, do that for a several years then maybe do consulting or something (already have a masters in business).

Currently have enrolled myself in a certificate in “Information Technology & Client Support” at AMES (starting next month).

I was wanting to take this one as it was the baseline also has the CompTIA A+ Certification (is it really needed?) and it would help me move on to the others (also so while I am studying the others, I can have more industry appropriate work).

But am I wasting my time? Should I go straight onto the diplomas?

Thanks for your advice…

TL:DR

Wanting to move into It. Am I wasting my time as an already qualified person (Masters in Business) doing a certificate in IT support before moving to a diploma in networking and cloud support?

Coil

6614 posts

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Inactive user

#2165142 22-Jan-2019 08:57

All I am going to say, as someone who has done what you are looking to do and enrolled into.
If you know all the fundamentals as I did, A+ is a waste of time and especially money. No one I have ever seen cares for that certificate. There is much more you can do for $10,000 then get a diploma at a tech institute that teaches you about outdated software. Most of the tutors are guys who stare at a book and read from that and quote the book. You are just as good off buying the current (actually outdated) books and then buying the exam and doing it yourself. If you have no idea about how to put RAM in, remove programs from windows, read event viewer etc then go ahead and do the A+ and N+ and invest a couple years into it. Consulting is a long way down the road but after many years of working in the field and re training you will get there.

I studied at Avonmore in Takapuna, I'd suggest avoiding that entire chain of "Institutes". Was a con job through and throughout. We had a terrible tutor who knew nothing of N+ (I schooled him as a 17 year old) and took this to the wiffe of operator/owner (Manager of Takapuna or what ever) who just said we were full of it etc, told us we were liars etc and if there was an issue others would speak. Funnily enough we were the only 3 who cared about our futures there. The rest were placed in there by Winz and wanted out.. This was a lady named Marsha.
https://www.avonmore.ac.nz/ They are in liquidation now anyhow so that goes to show what we were dealing with. Voluntary anyhow so I bet the cons will go and start another one in the same location with a similar name and logo...

I'd honestly get a job and then invest in vendor certs and see where the career takes you. But re training into IT and going the route of a diploma every man and his dog got out of high school would be a monumental waste of money from my opinion.

antoniosk

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#2165167 22-Jan-2019 09:28

So, are you wanting to build a skillbase that blends LAN and WAN networking with using cloud infrastructure rather than on prem?

And that would be in... architecture? devops? project mgmt? data migration? integration design?

There's a lot to unpack, and IT has so much specialism in it that you might need to choose whether you go deep or broad.

In H&S, what did you actually do?

________

Antoniosk

Coil

6614 posts

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#2165168 22-Jan-2019 09:31

antoniosk:

So, are you wanting to build a skillbase that blends LAN and WAN networking with using cloud infrastructure rather than on prem?

And that would be in... architecture? devops? project mgmt? data migration? integration design?

There's a lot to unpack, and IT has so much specialism in it that you might need to choose whether you go deep or broad.

In H&S, what did you actually do?

I think the largest mistake people make is they try and specialize before they get into it and actually find what they like. Some may spend years and thousands training to find they would rather do something they need to retain for.

Lias

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#2165273 22-Jan-2019 11:36

KiwiSpyGirl:

Wanting to move into It. Am I wasting my time as an already qualified person (Masters in Business) doing a certificate in IT support before moving to a diploma in networking and cloud support?

IMHO, yes.

The certificate isn't a bad option if you just want to get a foot in the door qualification, but it appears focused on basic helpdesk / support jobs. Assuming you do have a reasonable understand of the basics, I'd just dive straight into the Diploma.

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

KiwiSpyGirl

11 posts

Geek

#2165285 22-Jan-2019 11:58

antoniosk:

So, are you wanting to build a skillbase that blends LAN and WAN networking with using cloud infrastructure rather than on prem?

And that would be in... architecture? devops? project mgmt? data migration? integration design?

There's a lot to unpack, and IT has so much specialism in it that you might need to choose whether you go deep or broad.

Thats the thing, I am not sure yet but assumed it would be a good idea to get an all rounded skillset. I was told that everything is going to cloud infrastructure bassed type instead of local networks and I am not sure what that would be in yet, I just wanted to get the skills before i decided but now realising that is probably not the best of ideas.

antoniosk:

In H&S, what did you actually do?

I was a H&s Officer, i created the H&S poliies, implemented it, peformed audits, risk management and trained staff. No intrest in going back and doing that type of hands on H&S work again. People just dont listen which ends up putting others in danger of you know... Death.

KiwiSpyGirl

11 posts

Geek

#2165298 22-Jan-2019 12:17

Lias:

IMHO, yes.

The certificate isn't a bad option if you just want to get a foot in the door qualification, but it appears focused on basic helpdesk / support jobs. Assuming you do have a reasonable understand of the basics, I'd just dive straight into the Diploma.

Well, I have put ram into a laptop before, I can use, install and uninstall programms. I just have never done anything such as open or read the event viewer or anything really considered "dianogistic" other than defragging, repairing/reinstalling software and turning the computer on and off again so I wasnt sure if I went to the Diplomas's in networking and the one in Cloud tech if I really needed the basics first and otherwise I would be like "uh what?"

The Qualifications in the Diploma in networking are

Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA)

The Qualifications in the Cloud technology are

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) Windows Server 2016
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) Productivity
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) Mobility
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) Cloud Platform and Infrastructure

The Prospectus is here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5637e700e4b0c91b095e8627/t/5be0d9ed88251b9c5fc8a85e/1541462515968/AMES+PROSPECTUS+2019+WEB.PDF