Networking Vs Computer Programming- College

[Patient zer0]

I'm heading back to school in jan and have been accepted to:
Computer Systems Tech - Networking
and
Computer programmer Analyst

i was in marketing a 2 years ago didnt like it at all, so started working for my dads company but i want to go back to school and do my own thing.

i dont know much about the two, but i want to work with computers, i really enjoy them would like to learn either field.

my question is if anyone is in these fields what yields the most jobs..

[LordJezo]

Programming is being taken over by the Russians and the Indians. With networking you'll be able to work with the actual hardware and do things in the data centers of companies all over the place.

I am a bit biased though, I HATE programming even though I got a CS degree, networking and tinkering around with systems is a lot more fun and seems to be a lot more useful in this outsourcing world. With the network degree you could also get into stuff like being a company IT guy and do a lot of stuff that way.

[cupcakelove]

There's a lot more potential to make money with software engineering. There are still jobs out there for programmers who's experience isn't limited to a two year technical school or some certification class. In other words, pass your classes and get an internship at some point, and you'll be fine.

[JPMNICK]

no doubt programming. you can always get a job in networking with a programming degree, not the other way around.

i work in this field, trust me on this. you want to major in computer programming

[Patient zer0]

thanks for the real input, not some smart ass replies.

i accepted to programming yesterday, i was just having second thoughts on the networking.

im in canada, so its going to be college and when i graduate i can do a year at a university and get a degree as well as my diploma
the programming is 3 year and you get an advance diploma in computer programming analyst

and the networking one is 2 year, computer technician networking diploma, and there are some other one year courses you can do after for some other stuff, like security etc..

if i stay with programming is it very hard to pick up? i have no programming experience as of yet, im wondering if i need to be a computer super genious to get a grip of things..

im 24 now so i dont want to waste my time.

[cupcakelove]

How are your math and/or logic skills?

[DolaMight]

no doubt programming. you can always get a job in networking with a programming degree, not the other way around.

i work in this field, trust me on this. you want to major in computer programming

Well put, I'm in networking and I can vouch for this. If you've got the drive the make it through programing, then go for it. People who don't generally give up and end up in networking. As far as hindus stealing programming jobs, that's an overhyped media story and if everyone on the planet was a programmer there would still be plenty of work in that field.

[JPMNICK]

Well put, I'm in networking and I can vouch for this. If you've got the drive the make it through programing, then go for it. People who don't generally give up and end up in networking. As far as hindus stealing programming jobs, that's an overhyped media story and if everyone on the planet was a programmer there would still be plenty of work in that field.

I agree, there are plenty of programming jobs, if you are good at it. If you are like the history majors in 1998 and 1999 who left their jobs to make a fortune in .com's, and now wonder why they do not have a job, well just figure it out.

If you have good problem solving skills, are down for hard grinding work, and enjoy reading and constantly updating your knowledge catalog, then you will be fine. it is not an easy job, but it pays pretty well. and obviously the #1 benefit is the chicks dig it

[MadMatt]

Yeah, programming is probably the way to go. Especially if you can throw in some Networking electives.

[LordJezo]

Schools now also offer Information Technology degrees, it's a step up from a networking cert. If you want to go pure hardware then that's is always an option.

[MadMatt]

Schools now also offer Information Technology degrees, it's a step up from a networking cert. If you want to go pure hardware then that's is always an option.

Yeah, but he is in Canada. They are lucky to have electricity and often mistake their microwave oven for a computer...

j/k :bye:

[ANC]

I'm heading back to school in jan and have been accepted to:
Computer Systems Tech - Networking
and
Computer programmer Analyst

i was in marketing a 2 years ago didnt like it at all, so started working for my dads company but i want to go back to school and do my own thing.

i dont know much about the two, but i want to work with computers, i really enjoy them would like to learn either field.

my question is if anyone is in these fields what yields the most jobs..

I am a Networking/Infrastructure Manager. I originally was going to work as a programmer for NYSE, but they decided to use consultants, and I was offered another job after 4 month unemployed. In my experience, people in my position (networking) are a dime a dozen. There is much more of a demand for programmers in the market than in networking.

In my opinion any typical college age person (or younger) with no formal training can do simple, entry level networking based on what they picked up fiddling with their wireless routers and such. The way to combat the market saturation is to get your fundamental training, your experience in the business world, then continue your training in higher areas of networking (Network Security, High Availability, Disaster Recovery, etc.)

In my current job, I'm all over the place (Network, Security, Mail Admin, Web, Desktop Support, Printer Maintenance, Wireless Tech, Cabling, Server Builds, etc..) I've been requesting new hires to take some of the workload off me, but it falls on deaf ears.

- Sorry I just went into a rant. Someone need to vent eh? I hope you can salvage some good info, if any, in the above..:glurps:

[DolaMight]

Yeah, but he is in Canada. They are lucky to have electricity and often mistake their microwave oven for a computer...

j/k :bye:

Comments like that we might just have to cut off your power. About 70% of your power, we sell you. Get yourself a nice hand crank computer to reply. Blackout 05 represent.

[Patient zer0]

thanks everyone, great replies!

i'll do some good soul searching before school starts to finalize what i really want to take.

programming sounds cool, but im nervous because i dont have any experience in it. (yet)

[Patient zer0]

How are your math and/or logic skills?

math, it all depends on what type of math.

[JPMNICK]

thanks everyone, great replies!

i'll do some good soul searching before school starts to finalize what i really want to take.

programming sounds cool, but im nervous because i dont have any experience in it. (yet)

start teaching it to yourself. that is one of the best ways to learn. download a complier and get a book. in college you are going to have to learn a lot of shit yourself. there are a million tutorials online.

[Thebazile78]

start teaching it to yourself. that is one of the best ways to learn. download a complier and get a book. in college you are going to have to learn a lot of shit yourself. there are a million tutorials online.

It's so easy to find all this crap.

Personally, I'd start with logic "games" . . . a ton of programming languages test your ability to reason with mathematical logic. If you use the search term "logic games" be cautious - you'll probably get a lot of links to LSAT prep tools. An entire section of the LSAT exam is described as "logic games" . . . it's fun.

If you're solid on your Algebra, Trig and Calc definitions and proofs, you should be able to pick up logic puzzles with little-to-no effort.

My company used to sponsor all kinds of programming training; I took a beginners' Perl class (Perl users are a fun group, BTW; they do things like go on cruises and hang out together. . .I think it's cute) and OmniMark within my first three years.

To tell the truth, they helped me learn appropriate syntax patterns in my everyday style sheet editing. . .before we switched to our black-box system. (Bah! But, then again, even then that logic helps me describe my composition issues to the support team.)

[SeligErasmus]

math, it all depends on what type of math.

When I got my CS degree (and from what I've seen in a number of current curriculum catalogs) the big ones were always discrete math, linear algebra, and calculus. The college I went to had two CS paths - one with a math emphasis, and one with a engineering emphasis. I went with the math emphasis, and its served me well in my particular industry of software engineering, but a number of my friends went with the other emphasis and did fine in their fields.

And like JPMNICK said, a great way to get a head start is to start experimenting with whats already out there and what interests you. My first two programming books were "The C Programming Language" and "Learning Perl". I highly recommend them if you've got the time and interest.

[SatCam]

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