Some programs will make exceptions for folks with extensive work experience. Granted, it’s quite rare to get accepted into a graduate program without first obtaining a bachelor’s degree, but it never hurts to ask.
Get a degree in business management and get your MCSE out of the way.
Then you’re set to move into management when the time is right.
Our Network Admin is mostly a number cruncher & paper shuffler. Maybe 10 years ago his skills were up to date. Now the real hands on work is done by the techs.
In fairness, I realize there’s a lot of planning that goes into a major network upgrade. The Network Admin earns that big paycheck.
If you have a job and are going to get excellent recommendations from it, a degree ain’t gonna help. In fact employers don’t really look at it at all if you are currently employed in a similar position and can verify it.
Now that said, if you REALLY like what you’re doing, then go for it. I think a degree is wonderful if you are interested in your work and want to study for it. But just to get more money?
Remember a lot of this work is going to be outsourced. I handled the networking for a major Chicago hotel and was so good at it the company used me to handle the opening of all their new hotels in Chicago and NYC. But my degree is in science not anything computer related.
Companies are really combining positions. As others have stated you may have ONE degreed Computer person for many divisions and IT clerks for day to day operations. We had about 8 hotes in Chicago and only one REAL computer degreed person. If anything came up I couldn’t handle I’d call him.
Then when the let me go, they hired an college kid for $10.00 and outsourced the management to India. They can hire three college kids for less than they paid me. And they are anxious to work and make a name.
Does your resume say that you’re a Bongmaster? Because that could also open a lot of doors.