Certification - July 2008 - (Page 8)

VIRTUAL VILLAGE Educational Rundown DANIEL MARGOLIS As May drew to a close and many students were graduating and contemplating the meaning of their new degrees, our CertMag.com discussion forums saw a swell of discussion on educational options as they relate to careers. Some had finished computer science- or IT-related degrees and were contemplating new ones, others were wondering what their degrees will do for them in terms of jobs and still others were wondering who pays for their continual education from here on out. Online degrees remain a particularly hot topic when discussing computer science- or IT-related degrees. Junior member Jeastw01 jumped on the forums to post: “I’m new to this forum and I was hoping I could get some input from experienced IT professionals. I’m currently in the electronics field but looking to change careers and probably get into a DBA role eventually. I would like to get my degree, maybe from an online school, and am hoping to get some input on if it would be worth my time going for an online degree. I’m a little skeptical about their credibility.” Junior member Mecena was first to respond: “If you are already in the IT industry an online degree will help you advance or get more money, but if you want to change careers I’d suggest you to go for a full time program. A well established polytechnic institute helps you with your job search and building a strong resume and you have people from the IT field coming in for lectures and presentations.” Wayne Anderson, author of our June cover story on online degrees, answered this query. “A degree, period, helps you do anything in IT in terms of getting hired. There can be no doubt about that. But I might suggest that there is some stigma still associated with some online schools. “If you want to go the online route, use respected providers like Kaplan College, University of Phoenix and online extensions of brick-and-mortar universities. I know some C-level folks (CEO, CIO, CISO) for several companies who have online degrees because it was the most convenient way to go after a master’s degree. Recognize that organizations that are known for a certain set of programs (DeVry) may not be the best choice. Organizations like DeVry may offer good programs and they could be the best curriculum in the world but so long as HR folks and peers in the field continue to see them for the former trade schools that they are, there will be an associated stigma. “On the same token, recognize that today’s IT environment is about experience first and foremost. Pursue the degree but maybe take a temporary pay cut to work in an IT position that is junior but still related to where you want to be. You have to assess if it is worth it to take both the pay cut and the step back.” Academia An information system is defined as a system of persons, data records and activities that process the data and information in a given organization, including manual and automated processes. The term rubs up against IT because there are so many computerbased information systems, but it’s presence in the field is somewhat marginal. However, as we recently learned on our CertMag. com discussion boards, this is beginning to change. The discussion began with junior member triple3jrb starting a thread titled “BA in information systems:” “I was thinking of getting a BA in information systems. Does anyone currently have that degree and are you happy with it?” Senior member wagnerk responded: “The only info I can give is that when I went to college in 2000, the BA in information systems was so undersubscribed that the course was cancelled that year and the people that were enrolled on that course were offered a place on the BS in computing.” But according to new member namrak, “There appears to be movement within academic institutions toward changing the CIS (Computer Information Systems) to IT (Information Technology). I am just a few credits away from completion of my BS in IT. Quite frankly, I believe the majority of job positions requiring a degree will allow for any computer-related degree. So a BS in CIS will generally be accepted in instances of a job position that ‘requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field,’ other specific job requirements notwithstanding.” This discussion then moved over to our Career Development boards. Triple3jrb apparently is collecting degrees and certs because in a thread titled “Career Advice Please?” the poster stated: 8 CERTIFICATION MAGAZINE July 2008 http://www.CertMag.com http://www.certmag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=501 http://www.certmag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1272 http://www.certmag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1271 http://www.certmag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1271

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Certification - July 2008

Certification - July 2008 Editor's Letter Contents Data System Virtual Village Tech Careers Dear Techie Academic Connection Look Ahead Troubleshooting Testing Your Foot in the Door: Certification at the Entry Level Analyzing the Societal Effects of YouTube Interface Spread the Knowledge: Becoming an IT Trainer Inside Certification Ad Index What We Like Endtag

Certification - July 2008

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