Can I go to a Technical College for Computer Networking and get a job?

[Oliver_16]

I live in Denver and there is a Technical College called Emily Griffith and they offer a Computer Networking Program that will prepare me for the A+, Network+ and Security+ exams.

They also offer with the Program in either part time or full time, a Internship. I think this Internship will last as long as the program which is like 10 to 12 months.

Would employers look at my resume differently when they see that all I have are a couple of CompTIA certs and some less than 1 year of experience? There are currently a lot of Computer Technician jobs in my city right now.

 

[rgd1101]

look at the jobs, see what the education requirement are.

 

[neieus]

look at the jobs, see what the education requirement are.

As mentioned look and see what the requirements are but fact of the matter is anything you can use to prove you are qualified will help. This will include certs or previous experience and in some cases experience can be just as good as a cert if you have it.

 

[Karadjgne]

Most technical colleges/universities have job placement/apprenticeship through the Guidance Office. Those jobs may or may not be exactly what you are looking for, but almost always are a 'foot in the door' step in the right direction.

 

[USAFRet]

My office has done a couple of recruiting desks at the local Tech school graduating job fairs.

You personally need to have something, anything, on your resume to stand out from all the other grads with exactly the same things that you all went to class for.
You're all coming out with the same certs....you need to stand out from the pack.

Do something outside of class. Volunteer your computer skills somewhere. Network at your local user groups. Build a house with Habitat for Humanity. Intern somewhere.

"I obtained, refurbished, and donated 15 laptops to the local homeless shelter"
"I teach intro computer classes at the Senior Center"
"I'm a participating member of the local Linux User Group"

All of that stuff can go in your resume.

As opposed to your fellow students, who only have A+ and Network+.

 

[bill001g]

Have to agree with the above. Unfortunately many certs are actually too easy to get. Many are no better than saying you have a high school diploma they are so simple to pass. In addition there is massive cheating even on very advanced certs. The cheating varies from those who buy the test questions and answers and just memorize them to people that actually pay someone else to take the test for them. One of the people I worked with was actually talking about spending $15,000 to get someone to pass CCIE for him. As hard as I worked to get and keep my CCIE this just makes me sad.

The cheaters are hoping the hiring company will not have anyone with any tech skills actually sit in on the interview. It takes only a couple of questions to find those who are great a memorizing compared to those that actually understand but it still takes a lot of time and effort to weed out all these people.

This has made it even tougher on new people entering the field. Just the cert alone almost got you a job years ago, now in addition to the cert you almost have to know someone.

This comes back to the problem with most jobs...it is not what you now but WHO you know. You need to attend any computer groups or events in your city as you can. Your only goal is to hang out with other people and get your name out their. As someone that interviews a lot of people you can immediately tell someone who love the tech fields and those that do it just because it pays well. You remember the guys who talk about how much fun they have configuring router simulators...much like playing video games.


Many of these educational places have partnered with somewhat disreputable contracting firms. They like slave labor. You will not likely get a useful job but it might get you more contacts for the future.