Alright so I couldn't decide between here and the lounge. I figured tech talk is more of the crowd I'm looking for. Due to some life changes I have decided I want to pursue a career in computers. Something along the lines of a network administer. I have a biology degree from NCSU. Although I feel I am pretty good with computers I know this means nothing and I will need to go back to get another degree. My question is where do you guys suggest I get a degree from and in what. Please let me know of any suggestions you may have. Thanks in advance.

1/26/2010 11:05:31 AM

ITT Technical Institute

1/26/2010 11:14:49 AM

mycomputercareer.com

1/26/2010 11:15:54 AM

ecpi

1/26/2010 11:17:21 AM

i don't necessarily have an opinion of my own for you, but as another source of information, you may get a broader perspective my searching/asking at http://stackoverflow.com/ or http://serverfault.com/

1/26/2010 11:23:57 AM

I dunno if this is related to what you want to do, but I've been interested in working in computer forensics for some time and once I make it through all of the requisite testing, I'd like to start grad school in the fall through my alma mater, ECU. They have a pretty extensive distance education program and I'd like to work on an MS in Technology Systems with a concentration on Information Security. My undergraduate degree is in Exercise Physiology though, so there's a few extra steps I need to take to make it work.

1/26/2010 11:55:36 AM

get your cisco certification. You dont neeeeed school

1/26/2010 11:56:06 AM

haha Im gonna assume the first three responses are jokes. Thanks for the idea qntmfred. Is cisco certifications a viable means to get into the field? If I get some Cisco certifications are employers likely to hire me with a biology degree?

1/26/2010 12:12:22 PM

wake tech has a really good networking program that should be all online in the fall. 2 year degree gets you a CCNA and 3 more classes gets you a CCNP (provided you pass your tests). At ~$600/semester for unlimited classes, it's hard to do wrong.

1/26/2010 12:15:57 PM

^ that sounds about right

1/26/2010 12:35:43 PM

^^ yeah thats a great option. You definitely dont need a 4 year degree if thats what you were expecting.

1/26/2010 12:42:08 PM

^^ That's what I have been doing since January of last year, although not in networking but in Web Technologies. I'm using it mostly as a refresher to things I have always been interested in. They recommend something like 6 hours per semester, but already having been through a bachelor's degree, I've been taking 15 per. And, since I already have the undergrad work out of the way, I was able to bypass all the pre-requisite english, math, science, etc... and jump right into the core curriculum and get the associate's out of the way. It feels like doing things a little backwards (bachelor's, associates, and the master's), but hopefully that'll straighten out for me if/when I start grad school in the fall.

1/26/2010 12:42:28 PM

If you want to go into the lines of network administration, you really don't need another four year or a graduate degree. A good set of relevant certifications would probably be worth more.

The only reason you would go get a computer science BS, MS, or MCS is if you wanted to go into software development, and even then, the degree isn't the only path there. Mind you, a masters has value particularly if you want to start doing some more complex development that require more mathematical rigor, but for what you're looking to do, I don't think its the right path.

1/26/2010 12:49:28 PM

my two cents,

when going back to school after you have a 4 year degree, it's frivolous to try to get another degree- but rather get certifications to specialize your skills as much as possible. Degrees are too generic and won't be as unique as certifications to qualify you as an asset for specific jobs. Figure out what you want to do, try to get intern experience while you study to pass certification exams...

1/26/2010 12:55:34 PM

he's ultimately going for a MS... so going back in this case is a good idea, since it would also be a more solid foundation for him obtaining certs as well... at least the certs that really count.

i'm going back to school, in a unrelated field, (biology BS to law JD) but i also plan on taking the patent bar exam before i start school.

1/26/2010 10:16:12 PM

IT is fucking boring. I'd go to nursing school. in three years you can be a nurse practitioner. start at $80kish and do interesting/meaningful things all day.

I've met like 12 nurses here in Boston and it really seems like a cool way to go. I mention this since you have a bio background.

1/27/2010 7:38:41 AM

^depends on where you work. the whole world needs communication systems. designing/managing/modeling them is pretty neat when you have a few constraints. never know who's life that link might save

1/27/2010 7:55:47 AM

Thanks for all the responses guys. Ive considered PA school since I was trying med school. Ive always been interested in teh computer field and figured it might be time to take the plunge. Ill look into what wake tech offers and the certifications. Any particular certifications that are huge right now?

1/27/2010 6:25:53 PM

MS in some IT related field, and some certs.

Certs will do ok, but youll do better with a degree, and MS really attracts people.

1/27/2010 10:07:01 PM

cissp is a good cert to have right now. I wouldn't bother with an MS in comp sci as it's an applied science. this would only be helpful in a research or development oriented position.

1/28/2010 9:35:58 AM

I think that

Quote :

"wake tech has a really good networking program that should be all online in the fall. 2 year degree gets you a CCNA and 3 more classes gets you a CCNP (provided you pass your tests). "

is probably great idea. From what I've seen, the #1 thing you need is experience, experience, experience. While you get your training/certs/whatever, I'd also look around and find just a level 1 position with an IT services place, like maybe Hosted Solutions, if you can, IBM or HP, and I think Verizon has a datacenter in Morrisville somewhere, you won't do a lot of networking, but you'll see it some and get your feet wet in it, and the most important thing, getting your foot in the door, while you build up your skills. Most of the networking guys' I've dealt with (I'm a backup, recovery, and storage guy myself) has been really cool and always more than willing to let me ride along on their jobs if I wanted to.

1/28/2010 10:20:59 AM

Along the same lines as ^, I've seen jobs listed before for at-home support where you just need a landline and a quiet place to work to answer calls.

1/28/2010 10:57:09 AM

ecpi has an advanced bachelors degree program ... my dad is the dean of the it/networking department there.

If you dont have much background computer knowledge ... (meaning if you have to ask people how to do new things) ... then you should probably realistically consider one of those programs, as those skills are essential to any job you end up at (unless you want to know how to program a cisco router, but then cant help someone do basic troubleshooting on their pc, and why it cant connect to the web, or some shit like that).

ECPIs bachelors is 2.5 years I think, and you get networking classes as part of the curriculum.

1/28/2010 11:07:49 AM

now that I have actually read your thread, I would actually recommend PAYING for cisco training, go to real officially recognized cisco cert classes ... start there and youll figure out pretty quick if you hate it or like it ...

Then you can go get your nursing cert or whatever and be on your way. You have to really enjoy this stuff, or you will hate your life (not to mention be useless to your employer).

[Edited on January 28, 2010 at 11:11 AM. Reason : .]

1/28/2010 11:11:07 AM