Maximum PC

I'm going to a local community college (Ozark Technical College, if anyone's interested) to get an Associate's in Networking Tech.

I'm hoping to start studying and obtain a cert or two over summer break with taking a class or two.


Should be finishing up my degree in about a year.


The head of the Net department seems pretty confident and says that his grads get hired as soon as they're out of school.

I went to a 4year college for a semester and didn't like it all, and just went back to the community college.

Anyways, how bad am I selling myself short by not going for the 4year, and will be alright with the associates +certs and whatnot?

Hey, not to drag this off topic, but just some curious questions.

What college did you attend before you dropped after the semester?

And are you talking about OTC in Springfield, MO?


You should be fine with the Associates, as long as you have some decent work experience and some certs. Good luck.

Northwest Missouri State


And yeah that's the one. OTC in Springfield MO.

Ahh ok. I go to Missouri State University.


Good luck, getting a job. You shouldn't have too big of a problem!

going for any cisco certs

My 2 cents.

The degree may not be as much of an issue for your area. However, in a big company, a BS is better than an AS is better than no degree at all, and will definitely affect your income.

I would check some of the job sites in your area and see what companies are looking for.

Re. the head of the net department. Well, yeah, of course he's going to say that... What's he going to say "Sorry, you wasted your money, all our best grads are panhandling on the side of the road"? or "Valedictorian Joe's just got upgraded from front door greeter to cashier at Walmart"? If you want to be hardcore, ask for references and follow up with them to find out how things are going.

I am just west of you at Crowder College about to graduate with a network tech degree. I've met some of the grads and they got jobs right away. Jack Henry and Assoc. seems to like Crowder...they've hired a few of us as Installers and PC Techs. I plan on applying there very soon.

Don't know if this might help you, but just finishing my Associates as well. Your not selling yourself short if you get the certs and work experience like others have said. But one thing I might point out, the Professors at my community college push students in making sure they take any elective that is transferable to a four year college.

Even if you don't go and get a BA later on, it can be a selling point to a possible employer. Sending you to get a BA might be cheaper than hiring in someone at a higher salary that has one.

That might be a ideal situation, but it never hurts to aim high. You might not hit your target, but it will keep you from stopping your chances to early.

I went for my AS (in an somewhat unrelated field) and then I went for my BS. My reasoning was that I would have something under my belt after 2 yrs. just in case I had to postpone my schooling for some reason.

AS Accounting - community college
BS Applied Information Technology - university

And I agree with making sure you have lots of transferrable credits. I did.