Computer Information Systems Technician(advice on schooling)

[inside]

I'm leaning towards going to school for Computer Networking.

Here's a link to the coarse at BCIT:

BCIT : : Computer Information Systems Technician (Networking Systems Technician Option): Full-time, Diploma of Technical Studies

Is BCIT the best place to get into a program of this scope?

Is the program even worth taking? I'm interested in getting into a career involving computers and I'm also thinking about getting my first level as a insurance consultant/sales expert? both programs a two years.

Any thoughts?

[oddmud]

I think Psidream is taking that coarse in the fall, or something similar. ;) BCIT is the best, period.

[rawb]

if you are genuinely interested in the knowledge the program will give you, then its worth your time. you will come out with most of the info you need to work -- as well as hand-on time with thousands of dollars worth of networking gear you couldn't use with self-study.

alone, the diploma wont do much more than get your foot in the door at some places for an interview imo -- you need a good personality and an interest in the work to land jobs.

[NinjaBoy]

Originally Posted by oddmud

I think Psidream is taking that coarse in the fall, or something similar. ;) BCIT is the best, period.

Not necessarily. Talk to people in the industry about the individual program first.

The program I went through isn't considered "the best" although it did get my foot in the door. Which like rawb said is all you can really expect.

But then, after your first job, your diploma is kind of an after thought.

[oddmud]

You guys are nerds and figured it out for yourself, if you don't know what you're doing the school is very important.

[ebbomega]

Pretty much agreed with Rawb on this one. But yeah, BCIT is probably one of the best places to check out.

Another option, if you really wanna get into networking, is to go and get a CCNA. Normally certs mean squat to potential employers, but Cisco is generally the exception to that rule (because in general Cisco certs are frikkin hard).

[inside]

Originally Posted by ebbomega

Pretty much agreed with Rawb on this one. But yeah, BCIT is probably one of the best places to check out.

Another option, if you really wanna get into networking, is to go and get a CCNA. Normally certs mean squat to potential employers, but Cisco is generally the exception to that rule (because in general Cisco certs are frikkin hard).

how hard is this shit?

[ebbomega]

You have to know networking protocols, how to configure switches/routers (specific to Cisco, mostly done in the commandline under their own shell, so you basically need to learn), working with VLANs, how information is passed from network to network, how to make subnets, how to troubleshoot issues (there's a lot of simulator work done wherein you have to fix network issues), dealing with Wifi and encryption schemes.... It's pretty difficult. From what I understand only about half the people who take the test pass it.

Computers aren't exactly simple machines. Networking is pretty lucrative but can also be exceptionally frustrating at times.

[rawb]

Originally Posted by inside

how hard is this shit?

if you dont like it, you will hate it.
if you like it, it wont be hard.

[fritz]

CCNA/MCSE type certs are useful for lateral movement when you're already inside an organization. If you have no experience then your resume will get stuck at the bottom because hires are usually based on a trust relationship. Knowing someone will get you hired, the knowledge you need to get a cert will keep you from getting fired.

[inside]

Originally Posted by rawb

if you dont like it, you will hate it.
if you like it, it wont be hard.

after watching some videos on CISCO products I'm sure I'll manage.....

[psidream]

It depends what you're looking for, what amount of work you're willing to do, and what kind of job you want... one advantage BCIT has over other institutions is the teamwork-oriented structure, teamwork being one of the top 2 things almost every employer looks for.

Originally Posted by NinjaBoy

Not necessarily. Talk to people in the industry about the individual program first.

The program I went through isn't considered "the best" although it did get my foot in the door. Which like rawb said is all you can really expect.

But then, after your first job, your diploma is kind of an after thought.