CCNA or COLLEGE? - Become a Network Engineer

CCNA or COLLEGE? - Become a Network Engineer

Should you pursue a college degree or your CCNA? (or any other IT certification?) Will a 4 year university degree be more valuable than a CCNA? A MCSA? CCNP?

What will help you become a Network Engineer (or a System Engineer) faster and give you the opportunity to make more MONEY$$$$$$?

Twitter: @NetworkChuck

Should you go to college or should you pursue your CCNA…..or any other certification instead of a degree?

Now, I’m assuming that you want to break into the IT field or accelerate your career. Either way, both of these are options you have to consider. So, which is better? What will get you that job faster and give you the most bang for your buck?

[johnniggleton]

After watching this video, I feel really lucky. My high school gave me a great opportunity to go to a Cisco academy for free. I'm 16 and passed the CCNA 1 and working on CCNA 2 right now.

[WestCoastBroodWar]

I second what chuck is saying. Nothing is going to move you forward faster, further, and cheaper, than a certification. Once you have the certification, then you need the interview, don't be afraid to be confident in your abilities once you get that CCNA. Use networking language in the interview, VLAN, STP, BGP, OSPF, area, AS number, ect.

The school doesn't make the engineer, experience does.

[Jasonejohnson]

Why not both? Choose a community college with a CCNA program. Low cost and end up with both.

[renragged]

I can't remember if he mentioned it in the video, but something else about a degree is that there are no "updates" to degrees. I'm 45 years old now. I got a degree in 1994. What in the world does that degree have to do with today's technology??? Almost ZERO! But if I have a certification that is up to date... well that is actually relevant in today's market.

[martellcampbell]

It's safe to say that we all made mistakes in the beginning of our IT career. Wasting time working in the help desk and not studying for a major certification. There's a lot of truth within this video. I have BS degree and it was very hard me to find a Network Engineer job until I got my CCNA. So I would say certification is the way to go if you want to advance your Career.

[davisjaron]

I started at Best Buy in 2008 selling computers. After a couple of months I moved over to the Geek Squad for the next year and a half. When I realized in 2010 I needed some movement in my career but couldn't land the job I wanted due to lack of experience, I joined the Army as a 25N (Nodal Network Operator/Maintainer... basically a tactical voice/data network admin). Last year (March 4, 2016) was my last day in the Army. With no degree and only a sec+ certification, I was able to land a job as a Unified Communications Technician (voice networking along with teleprescence and video teleconferencing) making $38 an hour in Colorado. After 7 months I was made the Senior Unified Communications Technician.

I am currently working on my associates degree in networking on an online school and after that will be working for my CCNA.

Currently my bosses boss has basically told me I am next in line to take the next open UC Engineer position.

I can't express how much I agree with your assessment between college and certs. I am in school right now only so that I can knock it out before my GI Bill expires. Because I have the experience and the job already I feel it's safe to push the certs until after I finish my degree. If I didn't have the job already, I would 100% agree that the certification is the first one to go for.

[dbltrub]

Taking CCNA courses at my local community college is what led to my entry level Cisco job handling implementation for a very large company.

[ranjanadissanayaka]

it's amazing to look at you today (2022)...from humble beginnings to being the king. I'm really happy for you.

[UNGETABLE]

When on my second year of CS, one of our professors approached me and a friend and asked us: why don’t you go for some CISCO certs while you’re studying so you can get a job faster? Bless him. ✌️

[mdtaylor]

This knowledge from Chuck is underated. Not only is Chuck full of solid knowledge, he's a trainer on CBT Nuggets and I highly recommend following his Twitter account. The power comes from that awesome beard 👍🏼

[MidwestTeks]

I've been looking for a video like this one forever. 2 thumbs up!

[jconnally]

I had no IT background I fixed a VP from our company's display settings in the cafeteria and found myself on the help desk the following week thank God for Google and A+ literature.

[stickboymdf]

WGU's IT Security program will get you the Certs: A+, Network+, Security+, CCENT, CCNA, CCNA Security, Linux+ (and that's just one degree program)

[The_InFamous_El_Guapo]

I went from Paramedic to CCNA in 6 months no previous experience, so you are correct.

[Katie-vunt]

I'm so glad I found this channel and others like it. I was in the process of trying to enroll in school and after watching numerous videos, I feel like just avoided a huge mistake.

[XtrAMassivE]

By far the best option is to get a degree and certifications. Degree lays a foundation that lasts you a lifetime. Certificates just build on top of it and allow you to climb up the ladder. I deeply regret not getting a degree when I had the chance and I don't wish on anyone to end up like me. Get a degree, look out for internships while you're at it, get certificates along the way. That's the best way to get you far in life.

[TheRealJohnMadden]

Very true, and i'm glad there is someone out there who understands that you can go further with an AS w/ a CCNA, CCNP, CompTIA cert, etc.. than you would with just a Bachelors. I'm graduating next year with an AS in Science and have already been looking into certs, because they could still land you a job without having the degree first. I believe the "experience" is the thing a lot of people struggle with.

[amProFilms]

I really wish there were videos like this out there before I wasted a ton of money on a 4 year bachelors degree, thanks for this and I hope a lot of newbies find this video because everything you said was dead on!

Oh and to be clear, if your going for a networking job, def go straight for your CCNA or CCNP over any sort of useless college courses!

[johnday]

My certifications have gotten me jobs. My college degrees have not. That is not to poo-poo degrees, but certs get you jobs. Just sayin'...

[diannaflood]

Thank you for this. It is super helpful. I currently have 6 years working in IT, I have started taking courses at WGU. One reason I chose WGU is that you are working towards your degree and getting certifications along the way. There are some basic certs that will at least get you entry level jobs which is ok. I started as a helpdesk analyst making 28k a year. I am now making $31 dollars an hour, it takes time.

If you are looking for a super quick way to make $$$ you either have to be very lucky or get into flipping houses or making money off stocks or w.e. None the less this is an awesome video. Thank you for putting this out there.

When I got my certs I found getting contracts/ job offers were easy, but you have to have something. I tell people often do contract work, sure its 3 months here or 6 months there but it helps. GOOD LUCK everyone.