Matric & my future: Lost!

[skimread]

I struggled with school Maths and got Ds and Es in highscool as teachers only gave attention to the gatkruiper kids and the textbooks were old and not very good so self study was difficult.

But at university 1st and 2nd year Maths was a breeze. After university I realized how f'ed up my highschool teachers were.

 

[Swa]

Everything needs maths, which is really crippling my options. Maybe I go the route of getting CCNA, and all those then as I work maybe pickup a uni degree? It's just the fact that I do math lit and not core maths. (yes yes, I am aware of my stupid decision)

Everyone keeps saying a degree will get you further but really that may only apply in other sectors. I.T. almost every job opening requires a further certification of some sorts and not a university degree. Do the Comptia, Cisco and Microsoft certifications first so you have some open doors and if you then feel you want a degree go and do that.

 

[srothman]

I have to agree to what's been said here with regards to formal tertiary education. To get vendor qualifications is all fine and well, and if you manage to make it to the very top (thinking along the lines of a Cisco CCIE, VMware VCDX, etc), you'll probably be very content. This being said, there's a reason why not everyone makes it to, for example, CCIE level.

Don't discount the importance of a degree, or even just a diploma. Take the time, put in the effort, get your math up to standard and put in the effort. It will serve you well.

 

[PPLdude]

I was thinking dedicating all my time, getting that CCNA. Then even just landing the lowest of the low job related to networks to gain experience. While working, put all my other time into getting my CCNP. Then after awhile of hands-on practice and studying to the point where I can write a book on CCNP, take my CCIE exam.
I know a degree is good to have, but what if I can achieve the above mentioned.

 

[ToxicBunny]

I was thinking dedicating all my time, getting that CCNA. Then even just landing the lowest of the low job related to networks to gain experience. While working, put all my other time into getting my CCNP. Then after awhile of hands-on practice and studying to the point where I can write a book on CCNP, take my CCIE exam.
I know a degree is good to have, but what if I can achieve the above mentioned.

You will still hit a glass ceiling in terms of your career progression....

And if you struggled with maths at school, the higher levels of Network Engineering might be a struggle for you as well since they rely very heavily on maths.

 

[Sensorei]

At 17/18 probably less than 20% of people know what they will be doing as their main career path. Things change. Just get the best marks you can now and don't stress so much about it.

I was convinced I'd be in IT because I was always good with computers. I wasted many boring years going down that road. At 17 you don't know enough about life to make such big, long term decisions.

 

[paul5186]

I would say take a bridge course or something to get your matric. Networking is not just about connecting a router to another router. Vrf's, bgp, ospf, ipv6 etc are not simple tasks, I see many cnna ccnp peeps who cannot actually physically conseptualise and implement the desired changes. Rather once done with matric, or your gap year get a entry level job and study in your free time while learning at work.

 

[PPLdude]

At 17/18 probably less than 20% of people know what they will be doing as their main career path. Things change. Just get the best marks you can now and don't stress so much about it.

I was convinced I'd be in IT because I was always good with computers. I wasted many boring years going down that road. At 17 you don't know enough about life to make such big, long term decisions.

18*

hahah, but ya, I get what you are saying, however matric and my schooling career is shortly coming to an end, and I really don't want to sit around doing nothing. I'd rather work on my path to becoming net eng or something

As far as maths goes, before moving schools I was hitting 80%s then pretty much lost the drive and motivation which I am only picking up on now. Hard work and dedication always pays off.

I take I.T as a subject and is pretty much the only subject that interests me.

 

[PPLdude]

I would say take a bridge course or something to get your matric. Networking is not just about connecting a router to another router. Vrf's, bgp, ospf, ipv6 etc are not simple tasks, I see many cnna ccnp peeps who cannot actually physically conseptualise and implement the desired changes. Rather once done with matric, or your gap year get a entry level job and study in your free time while learning at work.

I'm finishing matric this year. In terms of network knowledge, I know as much as a school curriculum can provide.

In terms of patching cat5 cables/ connecting rj45 connectors I have done due to a lot of lanning throughout my childhood. I've pretty much always been interested in computers.

 

[Swa]

I'm finishing matric this year. In terms of network knowledge, I know as much as a school curriculum can provide.

In terms of patching cat5 cables/ connecting rj45 connectors I have done due to a lot of lanning throughout my childhood. I've pretty much always been interested in computers.

Well the best advice is probably still what Sensorei said. If you go the certification route you won't have wasted a lot if you decide on something else later. I was also like you sans the lanning as that wasn't really a thing back then. Gave up on computers as anything but a hobby. While you work out what exactly you want to do you can bridge your maths literacy which will also open a lot more doors for you.

 

[PPLdude]

Well the best advice is probably still what Sensorei said. If you go the certification route you won't have wasted a lot if you decide on something else later. I was also like you sans the lanning as that wasn't really a thing back then. Gave up on computers as anything but a hobby. While you work out what exactly you want to do you can bridge your maths literacy which will also open a lot more doors for you.

I guess this will give me a diverse route... but damn... another year wasted before I can study anything. Unless I do CCNA while i'm doing my bridging course. And if I really like it I can take it from there

 

[MidnightZA]

If you are getting a B+ average or even an A, then what makes you say you wont be able to get into uni? I finished school in 2010 with a 78% average and only 3A's, I got into BSc Chemical Engineering at Howard. I started in 2011 and I'm doing my final semester now. I also had an interest in IT back when I was in school but I never took to making it a career choice. I found school to be easy so I never used to bother learning much, but throughout my degree I was challenged quite a bit which I enjoyed. What I enjoyed the most is the new concepts I came across which I would never even consider thinking about if I hadn't studied chem eng

Matric marks are nothing close of an indication to a persons true potential. Some of my friends from first year used to boast about having 9 As in matric yet they dropped out in first or second year, yet I'm almost done with my degree with my 3 As from matric.
Im not saying study engineering, all I'm saying is don't yourself and sell yourself short just because of your school results.

 

[Swa]

I guess this will give me a diverse route... but damn... another year wasted before I can study anything. Unless I do CCNA while i'm doing my bridging course. And if I really like it I can take it from there

It wouldn't be a waste to get your CCNA in the meantime before going to university. You'll be better prepared than what a degree can give you and the important factor is you'll be getting into the job market.

 

[PPLdude]

If you are getting a B+ average or even an A, then what makes you say you wont be able to get into uni? I finished school in 2010 with a 78% average and only 3A's, I got into BSc Chemical Engineering at Howard. I started in 2011 and I'm doing my final semester now. I also had an interest in IT back when I was in school but I never took to making it a career choice. I found school to be easy so I never used to bother learning much, but throughout my degree I was challenged quite a bit which I enjoyed. What I enjoyed the most is the new concepts I came across which I would never even consider thinking about if I hadn't studied chem eng

Matric marks are nothing close of an indication to a persons true potential. Some of my friends from first year used to boast about having 9 As in matric yet they dropped out in first or second year, yet I'm almost done with my degree with my 3 As from matric.
Im not saying study engineering, all I'm saying is don't yourself and sell yourself short just because of your school results.

It's due to the fact that i'm taking math lit :/
[br]

So I won't be able to get into any science degree

 

[PPLdude]

It wouldn't be a waste to get your CCNA in the meantime before going to university. You'll be better prepared than what a degree can give you and the important factor is you'll be getting into the job market.

I think getting my CCNA will give me a clear indication whether it's for me or not. If not ill study BA humanities then major in HR. (Which I don't need math for )

 

[ToxicBunny]

Yeah, try figure out what you really want to do ..

I would be pretty sure that the idea of what you think a career in IT is like and what it is like in reality are VERY VERY different.

 

[PPLdude]

Yeah, try figure out what you really want to do ..

I would be pretty sure that the idea of what you think a career in IT is like and what it is like in reality are VERY VERY different.

maybe..

However my mom dated someone who did networking/ telecommunications for vodacom etc, so I have some insight what it is like in the IT field