Best route to becoming a network manager?

[Svarcy]

Hey everyone,

 

So coming up to quite an important decision in my studies and I am looking for a few pointers. I have been working in a school as an ICT Technician now since 2009. When I started we ran a CC3 network and now run a vanilla Windows network compromising of XP & Server 2008 R2, moving over to Win 7 this summer. I am currently studying the MCTS and the following Comptia course: A+,N+,Server+,Security+

 

I have been thinking about doing a degree through the Open University but I am unsure whether this is the right thing to do, it could take up to 6 years to complete and I wonder how much credibility it will hold down the line when the stuff I learnt at the beginning is years outdated. Would I be better off looking into more IT courses such as the MCSE, CCNA etc? I hope to eventually take over as the network manager of the school I work in, although this is a long way off.

 

Also if anyone has any other pointers, tips or things I should start doing to further help me in my long term goal it is as always, greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers,

L

[dhicks]

I have been thinking about doing a degree through the Open University but I am unsure whether this is the right thing to do, it could take up to 6 years to complete and I wonder how much credibility it will hold down the line when the stuff I learnt at the beginning is years outdated. Would I be better off looking into more IT courses such as the MCSE, CCNA etc?

 

Take care to understand exactly what a degree course is and what you would want out of doing one. The other things you mention are trade certifications, training courses for people aiming for particular jobs, and as you point out you might need periodic re-training as your certifications become out of date. A degree is more likely to be an academic course of study, teaching you concepts rather than anything immediatly commercial. A degree won't neccesarily give you much practical experience, although the knowledge gained dates less quickly. Doing a part-time degree alongside working in an IT job could actually be a perfect way to study the academic basics and gain practical experience at the same time. You could do some certifications at the same time as your degree, and maybe look in to having credit from those counted towards your degree.

 

Of course, being Svarcy, BSc or having a bunch of Microsoft-logoed certificates in frames on your office wall would be nice, but taking either route won't actually produce much by way of anything tangible. You could simply get on and start writing code now and aim to own the next Facebook/Google/Microsoft in six years time.

Edited March 19, 2012 by dhicks

[jtotheb]

I have been thinking about doing a degree through the Open University but I am unsure whether this is the right thing to do, it could take up to 6 years to complete and I wonder how much credibility it will hold down the line when the stuff I learnt at the beginning is years outdated. Would I be better off looking into more IT courses such as the MCSE, CCNA etc? I hope to eventually take over as the network manager of the school I work in, although this is a long way off.

 

Do both at the same time without doing twice the work.. Many of the OU degree modules draw heavily on industry certifications course material so that you complete assignments for the OU that count towards your degree, but at the same time you do a lot of study and groundwork that you'd put into an industry cert.

 

An example of a foundation degree:

Computing and IT practice foundation degree specialising in networking Qualification Pathway - X15 Foundation Degree in Computing and IT Practice - Open University

 

Example BSc:

Computing and IT degree specialising in digital technologies and networking Qualification Pathway - Q62 BSc (Honours) Computing and IT - Open University

 

Or you can mix and match specific courses to build up enough points for a degree.

[mattx]

The best route on becoming a network manager is to make as many mistakes as you can now and screw up. You will then get promoted to 'network manager' as you tend to find most of them are simply failed technicians anyhoo.......

In fact most 'managers' are just failed people period.

[Admiral208]

The best route on becoming a network manager is to make as many mistakes as you can now and screw up. You will then get promoted to 'network manager' as you tend to find most of them are simply failed technicians anyhoo.......

In fact most 'managers' are just failed people period.

 

Ouch!!

[teejay]

The best route on becoming a network manager is to make as many mistakes as you can now and screw up. You will then get promoted to 'network manager' as you tend to find most of them are simply failed technicians anyhoo.......

In fact most 'managers' are just failed people period.

 

Don't make too many mistakes, you'll be shoved off into a teaching role if you show too much incompetence:p

[darylmo]

AMEN!!

[Guest Guest]

One thing I have found in the public sector is there is a lot of snobbery over degree vs other qualifications. Even if you were CCIE qualified I'd bet that the guy with a degree would get the job over you. I've actually been quoted "you can't get to that pay scale unless you have a degree". AFAIK that's BS but regardless...

 

If you have the time to do both degree and practcal/industry specific qualifications then do both.