Major, Bach, Associates? Best way to get into tech field?

[slowfocusguy]

I recently applied to metro, seeing that it's the only school cheap enough for me and offers majors (and easy to get into!). But man I still cant justify the prices. I personally dont want to get into a massive dept on something that may not work out.

So I look at some Community College programs. But the question is, what is really needed? I dont want to make 6 figures a year, hell I'll be happy with $40k a year, but time is the most valuable thing. After a 4 years program I'll be 27!

So really, can I just get a certificate at some community college and live comfortable? Is a major really required?

[Deceptakhan]

I just got certifications for right now. It works, I plan on getting a administrator job next year, tryin to skip helpdesk altogether.
So, get what you can afford to get into the business. While maybe not a dope position, you can get something related and build on it. As you get higher levels of expertise, move up, and those lesser jobs you started out in will be great for your resume. Ambition is not ignored.

[Richard T]

I can't comment on what education you need in the tech field, but student loan debt is "good debt." Don't let that scare you away from earning a degree.

[STIBungy]

Education loans are very easy to pay back. Most people only pay like $50 a month. The interest on education loans is fairly low as well.

[Nightfall]

As long as you are in school, you don't have to pay it back. So get your Associates, then Bach, then masters, etc. Learning is fun :D

Either that or I really *am* that big of a geek. *shrugs*

[Brandon]

School sucks ass (IMO)

I would suggest getting into electrical or plumbing (not unclogging toilets). You can make pretty good money and there's plenty of job security.

[Brandon]

Oh yea, if you do choose to go get a degree, do your first ~2 years at a community college. You'll save a lot of money.

[Loud_Scott]

B's right... school does suck ass
--
Since it sounds like you're itchy to get it over with I'ld suggest DeVry. I went there in Phoenix (before they had a campus here) -- I had pretty much the exact same bitches as all my other friends; whether they went to ACC, UCD, DU, ASU, or whatever -- it seems like a school is a school. But DeVry's program is pretty streamlined... you go for 3 years pretty much strait (the longest summer break i had was 2 weeks, once), and then your done.

You end up doing an extra semester (9 instead of 8 if it were a four year school) but it'll end up getting you out at least a year earlier. Especially since most "4 year colleges" are realy 5 or 6 now.

[-=[Juztin]=-]

I only have an AAS in network engineering, but that was enough to land me a career and I never ended up having time to go back to school for a paper BS. From my personal experience working with tons of VAR's and large companies, they really only care if you have experience and sometimes certs, I've never been required to have a degree.

My advice, get experience under your belt by contracting unless your get really lucky and land a sweet position and definately obtain certifications in your own industry w/in IT.

[STIBungy]

:werd: Just make sure the credits you get at a CC will transfer to the university of interest.

Oh yea, if you do choose to go get a degree, do your first ~2 years at a community college. You'll save a lot of money.

[Brandon]

:werd: Just make sure the credits you get at a CC will transfer to the university of interest.


Very true. I followed CUs transfer guide and took all the right classes to xfer to CU. Then decided I wanted to go to Mines. Mines would only take about 6-8 of my credits from ACC but CU took all 60.

[slowfocusguy]

But what if I happen to love school? I mean I did had a 3.8GPA when I was a student.

I dont know, I was looking into the CIS program that Metro offering, spoke with the professor and I like what I'm seeing. It seem open enough that I wont be a 1 trick pony (which it's what I'm currently am with my auto repair associates), and if something happens to where I cant do physical work I wont be screwed.

[Brandon]

then go for it. I have always hated school and I still do. I just want the $40k piece of paper.

[JL LGT]

Not too different than my path.

I started off by gaining experience in the field before I was moved into the position I have now. No degree, no certificates... just OJT. *Not an IT field though. HVAC/PowerPro.*

I just started at PPCC not too long ago so I can accomplish my associates (in an IT field). After which I'll transfer to a 4 year school.

[STIBungy]

If English101 was a requirement, your GPA would be 1 pt less. :D

I mean I did had a 3.8GPA when I was a student.

[slowfocusguy]

U c, y buter 2 much wit spelin a gramer?

[Weston]

School sucks ass

:werd: Dropout FTW! :D