Degree Completion

[cscheck]

Hello all,

I am currently trying to decide which field to pursue my BS degree in and would like some input from anyone that has an opinion based on real world experiences.

I am having trouble deciding between these degree programs.

A basic IT field degree which really covers a little bit of everything. (Hardware, Software, Security, Networking, and Infastructure)

An IT degree with an emphasis in Network Administration. (Deals more with Cisco devices and other administration utilities)

-or-

An IT degree with an emphasis in Security.


Now I am already in the IT field as I work for my local city government. I have real world experience in each of these categories, but I am really having a difficult time deciding which degree would be more valuable in the real world.

Does anybody have any suggestions or input on this matter?

Thanks in advance.

 

[txrandom]

Why don't you get a different degree and move out of IT?

 

[lobbyone]

Which one of those do you enjoy the most?

 

[cscheck]

Originally posted by: txrandom
Why don't you get a different degree and move out of IT?

Not an option. Im not here to discuss my future careers, I simply would like imput from some IT professionals (which AT has a few of) on what they deem the more "valuable" degree of these three when it comes to real world job market.

Thanks for the input but I am going to disregard it as it strays from my intention.

 

[xchangx]

I would go for a business degree or a more general degree.


For example, if you want to be a director or manager, they'll like a business degree

 

[Descartes]

Honestly, I wouldn't get any of those degrees. I would get something that has a focus on the business facets of IT. Experience is ultimately what matters, and you indicate you already have some. The only thing left to set you apart would be an ability to navigate the business waters. Many ITers are without this ability.

Again, experience above all else. My $0.02...

[edit]I realize I didn't answer your question. Out of those three, if you must choose, choose one you are most interested in.[/edit]

 

[cscheck]

Originally posted by: lobbyone
Which one of those do you enjoy the most?

Honestly I am all about the money. I enjoy all of them equally. I have the most amount of experience as a hardware technician, but the network adminsitration experience falls in at a close second place.

If the security field is in more demand and/or worth more in salary value then I would go with that degree.

 

[James Bond]

Network Security = $

 

[cscheck]

Originally posted by: Descartes
Honestly, I wouldn't get any of those degrees. I would get something that has a focus on the business facets of IT. Experience is ultimately what matters, and you indicate you already have some. The only thing left to set you apart would be an ability to navigate the business waters. Many ITers are without this ability.

Again, experience above all else. My $0.02...

[edit]I realize I didn't answer your question. Out of those three, if you must choose, choose one you are most interested in.[/edit]

Excellent info, I do already have an associates of art in business too BTW. Should I stick with the business facet still?

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: cscheck

Originally posted by: lobbyone
Which one of those do you enjoy the most?

Honestly I am all about the money. I enjoy all of them equally. I have the most amount of experience as a hardware technician, but the network adminsitration experience falls in at a close second place.

If the security field is in more demand and/or worth more in salary value then I would go with that degree.

IT is a cyclical and trend following (hmm, sorry about the stock analogies) industry, so what's hot now won't be in a decade. You can't build a career on following what's hot. Security was hot for quite a while, slowed down, and is now picking back up again. This happens with everything, but if your foundation is solid enough then you can pursue whatever is most available.

The money will come with experience and results. Be the best at what you do and you won't have any issues, but if you just pick something superficially because you think you'll make money, it will be obvious and you'll find yourself left behind when the next cycle hits. The same thing happened to everyone that jumped into IT in the late 90s.

 

[DougK62]

IT guy with MBA = money

 

[NuAlphaMan]

Network and security are both hot.

 

[spidey07]

Agree with business degree. Better if you get MBA. Can do anything then and you'll make a pretty penny.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: cscheck

Originally posted by: Descartes
Honestly, I wouldn't get any of those degrees. I would get something that has a focus on the business facets of IT. Experience is ultimately what matters, and you indicate you already have some. The only thing left to set you apart would be an ability to navigate the business waters. Many ITers are without this ability.

Again, experience above all else. My $0.02...

[edit]I realize I didn't answer your question. Out of those three, if you must choose, choose one you are most interested in.[/edit]

Excellent info, I do already have an associates of art in business too BTW. Should I stick with the business facet still?

I would. IT has transposed from a tech-only endeavor to more of a business endeavor that happens to be implemented technically. Those that are at the top of IT are those that are interacting with the business. This could be a consulting capacity or as a director/lead capacity at a company. I would continue pursuing business, keep building up your knowledge and experience and find ways to interact with the business. It's a bit of a paradox in my eyes; to better understand IT, you have to understand the business, not the technology. You still have to know the technology though, but there needs to be an abstraction between implementation and realization.

I feel like I'm writing a white paper or something. Sorry about the pep talk

 

[cscheck]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: cscheck

Originally posted by: lobbyone
Which one of those do you enjoy the most?

Honestly I am all about the money. I enjoy all of them equally. I have the most amount of experience as a hardware technician, but the network adminsitration experience falls in at a close second place.

If the security field is in more demand and/or worth more in salary value then I would go with that degree.

IT is a cyclical and trend following (hmm, sorry about the stock analogies) industry, so what's hot now won't be in a decade. You can't build a career on following what's hot. Security was hot for quite a while, slowed down, and is now picking back up again. This happens with everything, but if your foundation is solid enough then you can pursue whatever is most available.

The money will come with experience and results. Be the best at what you do and you won't have any issues, but if you just pick something superficially because you think you'll make money, it will be obvious and you'll find yourself left behind when the next cycle hits. The same thing happened to everyone that jumped into IT in the late 90s.

This is what I initially thought as well. I can definately appreciate this response. I didn't think that the emphasis of the degree would make an especially large impact on job avaliablity as long as my experience is par for the position. Due to this "trending" that is present in the IT field I thought that a general all around IT or business degree would suffice as long as I put forth the time and effort to expand my knowledge of all the aspects of the IT industry.

Thanks much as this support my initial thoughts on the subject. I think I will complete a business management degree as recommended here. Who knows, maybe I will even go on to complete a MBA.

Thanks much for the info it was terribly helpful.

 

[TreyRandom]

Any of them. I've got a degree in Chemistry, and I'm doing quite well in IT. The type of degree doesn't matter as much as you simply having one. Everything else depends on your skills and experience, not your degree.

 

[randay]

security.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Certifications. Degrees mean sh!t in IT.

 

[ebaycj]

(BS CS + MBA), or (BS CS + JD) FTW

 

[slatr]

Originally posted by: cscheck
Hello all,

I am currently trying to decide which field to pursue my BS degree in and would like some input from anyone that has an opinion based on real world experiences.

I am having trouble deciding between these degree programs.

A basic IT field degree which really covers a little bit of everything. (Hardware, Software, Security, Networking, and Infastructure)

An IT degree with an emphasis in Network Administration. (Deals more with Cisco devices and other administration utilities)

-or-

An IT degree with an emphasis in Security.


Now I am already in the IT field as I work for my local city government. I have real world experience in each of these categories, but I am really having a difficult time deciding which degree would be more valuable in the real world.

Does anybody have any suggestions or input on this matter?

Thanks in advance.

Security or Disaster Recovery Emphasis

There are scholarships available now (at select schools) where you are paid to go to school by the DoD. However, you must work for a defense agency for a certain number of years afterwards.

They help you get your clearance as well. THe unappeasing thought is D.C area real estate prices.

But anway.. Security or DR.

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: slatr
The unappeasing thought is the D.C area.

Fixed/Enhanced.

 

[SoLiDus88]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Certifications. Degrees mean sh!t in IT.

err...exactly the opposite in my experience.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: SoLiDus88

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Certifications. Degrees mean sh!t in IT.

err...exactly the opposite in my experience.

If you've been in the industry long enough your degree has no bearing whatsoever.

I'll describe a 250K a year IT professional:

1) Leadership and communication skills (why do you think I keep pounding how important body language is?)
2) Technical enough to understand what is going on, relies on SMEs for the deep stuff
3) PMI or other high level certification
4) Works very well with others and knows how to listen before opening his trap
5) Is a businessman first and a technologist second

 

[slatr]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: SoLiDus88

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Certifications. Degrees mean sh!t in IT.

err...exactly the opposite in my experience.

If you've been in the industry long enough your degree has no bearing whatsoever.

I'll describe a 250K a year IT professional:

1) Leadership and communication skills (why do you think I keep pounding how important body language is?)2) Technical enough to understand what is going on, relies on SMEs for the deep stuff
3) PMI or other high level certification
4) Works very well with others and knows how to listen before opening his trap
5) Is a businessman first and a technologist second

Explain please

 

[Jawo]

I got my degree in Business IT...kinda of a IT overview with a strong business background. Its the mix that businesses love, since your adapt, but know business. Where I am working now is outsourcing the low level jobs to India. You need to be in more of an information management role to ensure that you stick around for the future. Sys Admins, while in demand now, are still not worth it after getting a BS, because its rather low level.

You gotta know what you want to do when you interview since most companies want to make you fit the position. CS + JD is a rather brilliant idea, if IP is still an issue in 6 years.....