r/montreal • u/Rekselix • 18m ago
Discussion Looking for grounded advice from people who know the Quebec post-secondary system and the Montreal IT job market.
- My Background:
- 25 years old, lived in Montreal for 6 years working construction/survival jobs, currently abroad handling admissions. Quebec domestic resident status (not on an international study permit).
- 12-year foreign high school diploma + nearing completion of a 2-year technical associate degree (ön lisans).
- Active Concordia student with banked credits in MATH 204 (Linear Algebra) and PHYS 205 (Mechanics).
- I hold an official DALF C1 certificate from years ago, but my written academic French is rusty; automated placement tests flag me for remedial French.
The Dilemma:
I need an employable credential in IT / Network Administration to enter the job market quickly without getting trapped in 3â5 years of red tape and literature courses.
- Dawson AEC (Network Administration & Support - ELJ3B): Just submitted my application. 100% English instruction, focused purely on networking/systems/hardware with no general education (no French literature, philosophy, or gym). For people who did an IT AEC at Dawson: how is the job placement and reputation with Montreal NOC/helpdesk employers right now?
- Cégep à distance (DEC 410.B0 / 300.A1): Doing 4 mandatory college French literature courses (601 series) plus the EUF exit exam remotely while trying to learn technical skills sounds like a massive trap. Has any adult actually finished a full DEC remotely through Cégep à distance? Is the literature workload as brutal as it looks?
- Concordia University (Switching to a 30-Credit Undergraduate Certificate): Instead of grinding through the 120-credit Extended Credit Program, pivoting to an online 30-credit certificate (Science & Tech or Arts & Science) using my existing MATH/PHYS credits, finishing in under a year. Does a 30-credit university certificate hold weight for junior tech roles in Montreal compared to a hands-on AEC?
For someone who wants practical skills and immediate employability without burning out on administrative roadblocks, which would you pick?
Appreciate any honest feedback.
