College Advice! Plz

[SKYLINEGTR33MWJ]

im about to start college this fall semester

i have 3 options...

1) Asociate Degree in some kind of "computer field"

2) Bachelor's of Science in Technology (Information Systems)

3) Certificates in some kind of "networking" C++ and Java/html/dhtml/sqL/oracle.. (complete certification)

AND then go back and get my (basics)

im worried about the 4year plan.... were i study my "core" classes and miss out on the computer classes for 2yrs.. before i can start my major!

and im also worried that my certifications will not be "widely" accepted by some exmployers!

and im afraid that a 2year degree in the computer field.... another 2year degree in some kind of networking... or what ever... will not be "equivalent" to the 4yrs B.S.

HELP! someone..... i start school in AUGUST! and im so lost!

[PresterJohn]

>and im afraid that a 2year degree in the computer field.... another 2year degree in some kind of networking... or what ever... will not be "equivalent" to the 4yrs B.S.

nothing is equivalent to a 4yr BS (or BA) degree!

if you want to work in IT in the corporate world, you NEED a college degree. certification is good to have for professional advancement but without that college degree you will be cutting yourself out of most management and upper level jobs when you get older.

if you are only interested in being a field or shop tech, then you can probably get by w/o a degree.

edit:typos

another thing that will help you is to get some experience. you can have the certs and the college degree but experience is what alot of places are looking for! that even means working in the college dorms as an IT guy! everything and anything helps!

[SKYLINEGTR33MWJ]

thanks guys!

[THRUSH]

I don't think you're required to take all generals then all your major classes, I know I didn't do that atleast. I think it's best to mix it up a little and take a peak at what you need to take in order to graduate then put a plan together so you don't kill yourself. Plus you sometime luck out and will get a little bit of overlap in some classes (for example writing or speech courses, where you could just use a project you need to do for another course). Even if this is required, like gz3 said you can get good experience working on campus (plus helping certain good looking individuals in your dorm or classes if the opportunities arise) so I wouldn't worry about getting stale.
If you have the time and money I'd go for it all like gz3 and presterjohn said because there will be more options for you. Certs/AA are perfectly fine too though, you could always go back to school later (possibly on your employers dollar ) to get a degree.

Nothing to worry about, just try to sketch out a plan that matches your current situation and what you would like to do after you take whatever training you'll be taking.

[rastorize]

IMO if you've got the money and you've got the time, get the 4 year degree right from the start. And you don't have to take all the generals at once b/4 getting to the good stuff...you have to take intro classes and such...mix it up a bit.

In the corporate world...a degree...bachelor's or master's...will go far in getting a great job...and it will give you the opportunity to move up once you're in the job.

Certificates and AA's can be good too, but rather than working for the corporation, you'd be most likely to be a contractor for the corp through a temp agency. Although...if you're talented and they're hiring, that is a way to get in the door...and then get hired on. But in this economy and the tech environment in general...it's a risk.

Getting the 4 year degree, or the masters or whatever...shows prospective employers that you are professional and took the time to invest in your life. Even if you can't afford a college education all at once...work your way towards it as best you can...in the tech world...you're never done with school.

[StealthyV]

nothing beats the 4 yr degree...I just got mine...BA in Liberal Arts. I'm going back next year (working for my school too!) for my Masters in Science in Leadership and Management, so I'll have yet another edge. the more schooling you have, the more it shows employers you care for your advancement. you may ask an employer in your area (such as the non-glamorous Walmart or RadioShack) if they would pay for your schooling, while you work for them. 3 years working for a business, and they will pay your college expenses...best to check around for the better deals. then again, for the most technical of all education, try the military. the Navy is reportedly on par with the Army in money spent training computer technicians, but my data may be slightly outdated. try the services for 3-5 years...not only will you be trained, but you'll have a lifetime of medical coverage, insurance, and a great resume-booster!
education in form of schooling outweighs a certification course you may pass online, any day. remember that your peers may not be able to afford schooling, so they will get all the certificates possible, without the degree. get your degree, no matter how much it hurts.
imo, though my parents paid for my schooling (in full), I would have put myself through school if I needed to. I was prepared to ask the Navy to help, but my mom convinced me to stay a civilian for a few years more.
one more thing...taking a year off from high school is fun, but you may lose momentum, and find that college is harder than it would have been right out of high school.
check out www.nec.edu <--that's my college. I"m going back next year for my Masters. I love it there!
~Branson
oh, and I graduated with the Class of 2003 on May 18!!! 4 years was not enough for me...I'm going to make it 5!!!

At least a B.S. I'm going to try for a M.S. in C.I.S. with a concentration on networking (at least that's the current plan). I've found, rather unfortunately, that degrees will get you everywhere in the IT world, and the bigger your degree is, the more they'll put in your pocket at the end of the week.

[blackwatch]

BS/BA those core classes are important. its good to have a well rounded education to survive in the world. i know plenty of engineers that cant even write up a simple proposal, but they are geniuses at math and engineering. every class counts as long as you work hard and take it seriously.