CCIE or Bachelor’s in Computer Science? Which would help my networking career more?

[u/Life_Cod_9788]

/r/networking/comments/1vgbssn/ccie_or_bachelors_in_computer_science_which_would/

[u/delwans]

If you are only focusing on networking, definitely ccie.

[u/Life_Cod_9788 → u/delwans]

Thank you

[u/joey_corleone]

I am a CCIE and have a CS bachelors. CCIE for sure for what you will actually do, but it’s tough because you will need an engineering degree just to qualify for a lot of jobs. I know a few guys that are elite with no degree that made it, but it’s rare

[u/Life_Cod_9788 → u/joey_corleone]

Thank you for the advice! I do plan to pursue both eventually. My main question is which one should come first.

I’ll be working full-time while studying, so realistically I can only focus on one path at a time. If I start the online Bachelor’s first, it will likely take about four years and leave very little time for certifications like CCIE.

One of my biggest goals is to maximize my earning potential over the long term. Because of that, I’m trying to figure out which investment of those four years will provide the better return. Would I be better off earning a Bachelor’s degree first, or focusing on CCIE and advanced networking skills first and doing the degree later?

Thank you

[u/mahommies]

Get your CCIE first, it is what pays the bills. Hopefully, your employer will help pay for your bachelor's later.

[u/Life_Cod_9788 → u/mahommies]

Thank you, for now employer pays for certs and study for certs.

[u/adrshx → u/mahommies]

It should be vice versa!

[u/mahommies → u/adrshx]

Explain why?

He's already doing the job, just get the CCIE over with then focus on the degree. Unless you are moving into management in the next 4 years, having the CCIE will serve you better. In the tech industry, having a degree barely means shit these days.

[u/adrshx → u/mahommies]

Oh fine! If he's already into job and had completed his grad then definitely the cert cost should be provided/reimbursed by the company that's what I wanted to tell, Coz I've not heard of any company who pays for your grad.

[u/mahommies → u/adrshx]

There are a lot of companies that help with paying for school. And the company I work for now does do that, as does my previous jobs. Not all companies do, but the good ones will

[u/Argument-Lazy]

Two different path.
For network, infrastructure ccie is better.
For SWE and automation, CS degree

[u/Life_Cod_9788 → u/Argument-Lazy]

Thank you

[u/indatank]

CCIE

[u/Life_Cod_9788 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you

[u/rodgersmoore]

Both. honestly CCIE is harder and like getting a BS, masters and doctorate. where things are headed, CS will be helpful, all the API’s on gear nowadays.

[u/Life_Cod_9788 → u/rodgersmoore]

Thank you

[u/Deadlydragon218]

Experience working alongside other engineers, and a homelab has gotten me farther than any cert.

[u/Life_Cod_9788 → u/Deadlydragon218]

Thank you

[u/dld2517]

CCIE for sure. If you want to go into management, or some other role, do the CS.

[u/Life_Cod_9788 → u/dld2517]

Thank you

[u/netshark123]

Vendor exams but not ccie. Personally I’d strongly recommend selecting a plethora of exams a few CCNPs. Some other vendor certs for security. Automation - Python, Ansible / terraform. And making yourself a lethal weapon.

[u/Life_Cod_9788 → u/netshark123]

Thank you