IT career question

[Zap Brannigan]

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone knows what you need to qualify for getting a job in the IT field. Being a systems analyst or runninger servers/ Internet Security sounds kind of cool, and am wondering what is required to get hired as I know next ot nothing about the biz.

Is MCSE good to have?

Is Computer Science degree a must?

My major right now is Computer information systems but it's basically my first year so was wondering what some options are.

 

[vital]

i think it all depends on where you live

 

[wasssup]

Although the computer industry sucks balls, a degree (and good grades) helps a lot...otherwise you're stuck starting off in helpdesk and wasting time getting to the top.

CIS is alright, CS isn't hard at all so i'd at the very least get a bachelors in CS.

Certs are almost mandatory if you want to do something in the IT sector.

 

[Zap Brannigan]

Well generally speaking any suggestions would be helpful no matter how general.

 

[Zap Brannigan]

Originally posted by: wasssup
Although the computer industry sucks balls, a degree (and good grades) helps a lot...otherwise you're stuck starting off in helpdesk and wasting time getting to the top.

CIS is alright, CS isn't hard at all so i'd at the very least get a bachelors in CS.

Certs are almost mandatory if you want to do something in the IT sector.

What can an MCSE cert do?

Or an assosiates degree in Computer Information Systems?

 

[jread]

Originally posted by: Zap Brannigan
Hi, I'm wondering if anyone knows what you need to qualify for getting a job in the IT field. Being a systems analyst or runninger servers/ Internet Security sounds kind of cool, and am wondering what is required to get hired as I know next ot nothing about the biz.

Is MCSE good to have?

Is Computer Science degree a must?

My major right now is Computer information systems but it's basically my first year so was wondering what some options are.

Drop the CIS and go for CS instead. That's what 99% of all computer folks told me when I was asking about it.

 

[her209]

I think you need to excel in one particular area. Find your niche.

 

[Zap Brannigan]

I don't know if I could handle a class like Calculus 3 though. Is Calc hard?

 

[jread]

Originally posted by: Zap Brannigan
I don't know if I could handle a class like Calculus 3 though. Is Calc hard?

That's exactly why I'm not majoring in CS, lol.

 

[Zap Brannigan]

Originally posted by: her209
I think you need to excel in one particular area. Find your niche.

I don't know what my niche is if I have one. I attempted the MCSE on my own but had ot stop when I did'nt have enough money to build a second computer a few years back. I'm pretty much self taugh, taught myself to build computers a few years back but I know next to nothing about programming besides that I'm not really inot programming, as far as Javo goes anyway.

 

[Zap Brannigan]

Originally posted by: jread

Originally posted by: Zap Brannigan
I don't know if I could handle a class like Calculus 3 though. Is Calc hard?

That's exactly why I'm not majoring in CS, lol.

LOL, what are you majoring in?

 

[Zap Brannigan]

*bump*

 

[narutofan36]

how much does a average it person make?

 

[SampSon]

It helps to have a good understanding of the mechanics of what you're doing.

 

[Zap Brannigan]

Is it possible to get hired with an assosiates in Computer Information Systems, and then go to school nights to finish up the degree while working in the field?

 

[puffff]

IT is a broad field. It depends on what you're interested in.

For systems analyst and security positions, I imagine certs will be useful. Or coursework in those areas too, if your school offers it. CIS/MIS tracks are usually good for this. If you're looking to be a developer, QA, or something else along those lines, you'd better have some experience in one or more programming languages. You'll get the most exposure to them majoring in computer science.

 

[Zap Brannigan]

What is MIS?

 

[OutHouse]

experience and being a fast learner is the key. there are 5 of us in our IT dept and none of us are certified in anything and my degree was in the computer world. my boss has a econ degree from CU and he has grown to be the best DBA i have ever worked with. me i hate dealing with databases so i stick with server management from teh ground up.

 

[Theb]

Isn't CIS like half Computer Science and half buisness? If it's the degree I'm thinking of people have told me it's not enough buisness or Computer Science to use it for anything useful.

I suggest starting with a CS degree and getting some certifications while you're in school. MCSE is a great one to have. If you want to be a Sys Admin a CCNA is a major plus.

You can get a job with certificationss and no degree but you would get a much better job with a degree and certifications and it will be easier to get promoted.

 

[Zap Brannigan]

Cool, this is very informative! WHat would be most benefiacial to get into the security side of the tech world?

 

[Zap Brannigan]

Yup CIS has a mixture of buisiness and computer science. I'd like to be able to get a job in the computer field eventually. Managing servers sounds kind of fun too. I know that I don't want to be a programmer, not my bag at all.

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: Zap Brannigan
What is MIS?

Management Information Systems.

I think its business + computer science. More business than CS. can someone correct me if i'm wrong?

 

[Zap Brannigan]

So is it possible to get a job while you are working towards your degree or do you have to wait until you have at least an Associates degree?

 

[jread]

Originally posted by: Zap Brannigan

Originally posted by: jread

Originally posted by: Zap Brannigan
I don't know if I could handle a class like Calculus 3 though. Is Calc hard?

That's exactly why I'm not majoring in CS, lol.

LOL, what are you majoring in?

Public Administration.... bleh.

I was thinking of doing a Master's in CIS, but even the hiring managers at work told me that CIS isn't very useful except for management.

 

[screw3d]

Originally posted by: wasssup
Although the computer industry sucks balls, a degree (and good grades) helps a lot...otherwise you're stuck starting off in helpdesk and wasting time getting to the top.

CIS is alright, CS isn't hard at all so i'd at the very least get a bachelors in CS.

Certs are almost mandatory if you want to do something in the IT sector.

CS is challenging to most people I've talked to.. what school do you go to?

Originally posted by: Zap Brannigan
I don't know if I could handle a class like Calculus 3 though. Is Calc hard?

Calc III is barely the hardest class in CS I wouldn't say its hard even though I pulled a C in it.. just a lot of homework that you would really want to know well.. which I didn't.