17 year old student needs help

[saftey]

Hi i know that these forums have a pretty clever bunch and was wondering if anyone can help me.I recently graduated from highschool and having never researched am lost on what to do,i never really thought about college i was always to busy moving from school to school 13 specificlly.I don't know what to do ,should i attend a tech school?do community college then try to tranfer to a uc?im completely lost I have alot of experince with windows ,macos, and some with linux and unix.I know preety much all of the art and publishing software very well.Ive worked with adminsitrating networks and do so everyday at my sites linux based server through telnet terminals and such.i consider my self very knowledgeable when it comes to electronics and computers but have no clue what schooling and carrer steps to take.any help would be appreciated.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

1. Whatever you hear on these boards, don't take it at face value. Many of the people here talk out of their ass. Talk to a school counselor or your parents

2. If you want to go the MIS/IT path, you REALLY need a degree. Times are tough, everyone's competing for the same jobs. Get your degree.

3. Try a community college. Take 3-4 classes in your spare time and just let the desire to continue school either happen or not.

4. You're 17, relax, noone knows what they are doing when they hit 17. I'm just about 21 and I'm totally lost too.

 

[Theslowone]

If thats what you want to do, then i would take the sats, college administrated sats if you haven't taken the regular sats, and try to get in. But depending on where and money it might be a little more complicated then that.

You could try a tech school for a year or two get the feel of what you would be doing in a regular university and then see if you like it or not. The best thing though is not to jump in head first at this time. Do what you like to do, but you need to think hard about it right now.

 

[saftey]

I havent take the sats nor consider my self a great student i never maintained a 3.0 average or anything.I would hate doing the whole 2 years or what ever it is of general ed at a community college to tranfer over to a university where id get my ass handed to me.I would love to be a system administor ,i guess something in the field of networking,computer management,tech support, i dunno im lost as hell i already missed the ability to join summer session and i better make up my mind about where to go before fall hits.to be honest im kinda scared.

 

[kranky]

Why do you say you weren't a great student? Because of ability, or lack of effort?

 

[saftey]

lack of effort i never really cared about school i always thought there was programs for me.i always heard of huge corporations dumping money into horrible schools in innercity areas like compton.oh well

 

[kranky]

If your problem was lack of effort, you don't need a program. If you make up your mind to apply yourself, I have no doubt you could be successful in community college or a university. Look at how many people are doing it every day, and I guarantee they are no smarter than you are.

Ever notice that you always have time for what is important to you? You learned something about network administration, linux, etc. without anyone holding your hand. Put that same effort into school and you'd be fine there also.

You will not be able to get a high-end computer-related job without a degree, unless you can latch on to a small company (with low pay) and grow along with them.

If you aren't ready to put the effort into school, don't go now. But if you think you are ready, do it. Being scared isn't a reason not to try. Do it scared! See a guidance counselor at a community college and find out more about how the courses are, see what 2-year programs are available, what classes you'd have to take, what programs would easily transfer to a university for a four-year degree if you wanted. Just finding out more about the whole thing will make you more comfortable.

I would recommend against a tech school degree that would not transfer to a four-year program. It will cost way too much money, and if you want to pursue the full degree you will be starting over.

 

[Vette73]

I didn't have the grades or money to go to a University so I went to CC first got my AA, and transfered over to my school where I am a double major in IS and Mngt.

If you do plan on going to a CC and transfering then make sure the school you are transfering to will accept the classes you took at the CC. Can hurt real bad if they only take half the classes. My school took all mine, but they have a deal with the CC I went to. If you get your AA degree with a 3.00 or higher then they HAVE to take you, and TAKE all your classes.

But even if you are unsure about your major, the first 2 years are just general classes, so they are pretty much icked out for you.


Good luck in what ever you choose.