Am I picking the right major...

[Soybomb]

Soon I'll have my associates degree and going on to another college but I'm starting to wonder if I'm heading into the right field. What I really want to do is networking/sysadmin work, unix sys admin would be awesome. So far I'm going into computer science even though I dont love coding 100%. I'd consider computer engineering but thats too math oriented for my tastes. I'd really like a4 year degree from a college too instead of just certs. I've looked into CIS/MIS but get the feeling those are more management/technician positions and have less earning potential and flexibility. Any thoughts from you?

 

[PearlsGirl]

If you have to ask that question in the first place.....that leaves me kind of skeptical. You sound like pre-packaged Nabisco product, just waiting to hit the shelves.

_PsG

 

[happykitten]

Good grief... you'll be fine.

 

[Suicidal]

Just practice "You want fries with that?" and you'll be fine.

 

[Soybomb]

<< You sound like pre-packaged Nabisco product, just waiting
to hit the shelves. >>



Care to elaborate in any way on that? That really has no meaning for me. Well I do like nabisco products, especially those little graham crackers with the chocolate on the back, but I don't see how that applies to me

 

[Soybomb]

Come on' no more thoughts, particularly more elaborate, on if there is a better major than cs for me, especially since I don't love coding?

 

[Scrapster]

You'll be fine.

 

[poop]

Eh, go for CS. CE is overkill for admin work. Most unix admins where I worked were ok in some programming languages, but it wasn't their thing. They were pretty knowledgable in hardware, but not design. You need to be sort of a Jack-of-All-Trades to do unix admin. Don't focus on too much of one aspect, but get a working knowledge of everything involved with computers.

The best thing to do is find a job at a unix lab at whatever school you go to. You can start of as desk staff, and generally work up to student admin. Unix admin requires experience and tinkering with real systems more than classes. You pick up on all the knowledge you need along the way.

So, CS is fine. But remember to do what you can on your own time. Set up a home Linux cluster or something. That kind of experience is as valuable as any you will get in a classroom.

 

[FrontlineWarrior]

you should major in women's studies because then you can find a lot of lesbians who aren't attracted to you.

no wait, the lesson i learned was that you *shouldn't* do that. nevermind.

 

[The Wildcard]

Yeah, go for CS, and also for your certifications too. Learn unix as well and if they are part of the CS program, even better.

 

[Azraele]

I'd say go with what you enjoy. If you end up coding and it's not something you want to do with your life, you'll be unhappy.