Is the IT industry too competitive for Graduates?

What I'd like to know is an employer more likely to go with someone who has certificates like COMPTIA over someone with a degree.. I mean if the job is entry level are they really going to want an over qualified person? some employers dont like employing over qualified people for entry level jobs... I plan to get a qualification in IT to hopefully get me in at entry level.. Im hoping this guy I know can get me some work experience too.

I suppose it depends on what subject the degree was in, and how directly relevant it was to the job. If it isn't then the degree would provide mostly soft skills so the person would need to start off at entry level but advance quickly.

If the degree covers what's required and more, then surely they would just be better at the job as they would be able to solve more issues quicker without having to go away and ask other people.

Seems obvious doesnt it... but I've been to interviews where employers have said "your over qualified and would get bored with the job quickly" so they then employed someone with minimal qualifications. In a way I cant blame them, they want someone who is gonna stick around, if you have a law degree and you go for an interview in a sandwich shop chances are you stand less chance than someone with no law degree.

Seems obvious doesnt it... but I've been to interviews where employers have said "your over qualified and would get bored with the job quickly" so they then employed someone with minimal qualifications. In a way I cant blame them, they want someone who is gonna stick around, if you have a law degree and you go for an interview in a sandwich shop chances are you stand less chance than someone with no law degree.

If you are under 25, consider apprenticeship. You get these qualifications and the experience and if the company keeps you on. You will be on a full time wage around £15,000 band. People who are 19 to 24 years get partial funding which means you have to pay £400 but if you are over 25 years. You would have to pay £2700.

Do you know the rough pricing of a COMPTIA A+ cert?

It does beg the question - why bother doing a degree if any starting position in the industry won't employ somebody because they're "too clever".

You looking at £800 including exam fees for reasonable prices. In my area, I found £800 as the usual prices but places like London and Manchester could be cheaper. Price range is £500 - £1000.

I manged to find some online courses here http://www.e-careers.co.uk/comptia dont know if it will be worthy but its ALOT cheaper

Thanks alot, CompTIA and MCTS for £667 is a nice price. I found a CompTIA course for £500 I might consider that one since I ain't good with online courses.

Hope it all goes well for you with getting into IT career.

It does beg the question - why bother doing a degree if any starting position in the industry won't employ somebody because they're "too clever".

Are you suggesting IBM, HP, MS, ACN don't have grad schemes? Let alone wont take on graduates...?

It does beg the question - why bother doing a degree if any starting position in the industry won't employ somebody because they're "too clever".

Maybe because the jobs they are applying for are not intended for someone with such a high level of qualification/experience. i.e. the candidate is not aiming high enough, and probably has the knowledge to get more than just an entry level job.

But then you get into the problem of "no job because of no experience, but no experience because of no job".

When I graduate, I don't plan on walking into a 30k a year IT security job straight away, but I want somebody to employ me and I have to start somewhere.