Trying to pick a Major and school sucks.

[OulOat]

Originally posted by: coolred
I would have no idea what field to get a 4 year degree in. And I know you will all start saying I'm lazy again, but i don't see why I would need to take a ton of general education classes to work with computers. I mean how does chemistry figure into networking?

Microcomputers are just standard computers BTW

Well, you would have time to decide when you are a reading the books. At least this way you don't enroll in the class and then decide it's not right for you again (money down the drain).

Chem has nothing to do with networking. Colleges just use it to warn people what the next 4 years of their life will be like. Most people drop the first year cause they can't handle the workload.

 

[coolred]

If you mean time spent. I am willing to take as much time as I need to earn a degree. But as I said before I just don't like the idea of having to take physics and chemistry and stuff like that. I mean how do you use that in computer graphics?

I will likely end up going for a bachelors, but I just don't understand why its needed. I do understand it for many fields, but not all. I would just think that if I were an employer. I would be more worried about my emplyees skills at doing thier specified job then if they can tell me the chemical composition of salt.

 

[coolred]

Well that I understand I guess. And DeVry was just a misunderstanding. But I agree I guess it would be good to test out a subject first before you decide if its what you really want. OH and just FYI the money that went down the drain to pay for my time at DeVry was the governments and UPS's.

 

[Ness]

You could always just apply to the school as an undecided major (or pick something and just not follow it) and just see if something appeals to you in the first year or so. Of course, if nothing does you're pretty much screwed, but oh well.

 

[beer]

I don't think anyone here is going to give you an answer you'll be happy with. You cannot get any bachelors in a technical area without two sem of calc, physics, and at least one semester of chem. You don't seem to want a BS, therefore, your alternative is an associates degree. But you don't really want an associates in a technical area because that's what you just came from doing.

I'm really confused as to what you want.

 

[coolred]

Elemental007, I think the reason you are confused is because you are not reading my posts. I never said I didn't want a degree in a technical area.

 

[coolred]

Alright guys. I just want to say thanks for all your help and criticisim. It has helped me a bit. I now have one more question. I still am unsure what field to pursue, but am considering something with networking or systems security. It just seems like no schools around here has security type of degrees. But after a quick search online, lots of other schools do. I am not willing to move out of state, nor do i really want to move out of COlumbus to attend school. SO I was wondering what if any schools are okay to get an online degree from? Is an online degree acceptable, or is it considered a lesser degree compared to in school?

If its possible I would try to take any classes i can in school somewhere. But it seems like if I want an informations systems security degree I have to look out of state. Like i said before ITT offers one. But I know you all said not to go to a school that advertises on the TV guide channel. SO are any of the online type of schools okay?

 

[badmouse]

If you want to do security, you don't have to get a degree in that. OSU must have a zillion options in the network department, one of which will give you the background to be a security dude.

Try looking for some course they have there about security, and e-mail whoever teaches the course and ask for recommendations.

 

[coolred]

I am checking into OSU, but thier site doesn't help too much. SO are you saying I don't need a degree in order to do security work? Or are you saying I don't need a security degree to do it. Like I should get a networking based degree, but take extra security classes?

 

[flot]

Ok, I'm going to sound like a dick here much like some of the other people, but when you get a "degree" tailored to a specific thing (like computer security) that typically means it's less of a degree and more technical training. People typically hire college graduates because they graduated from college. People hire technical school graduates because they need someone to perform a specific technical task.

You are still looking at things from a technical school education standpoint.

Also, not to bash you any more than others have, but it DOESN'T sound like you are really interested in what you're talking about. I'm just saying, if you happen to have _good overall computer skills_ that will definitely help you to excel in ANY FIELD. So don't think just because you're good with a computer, that means you have to study computers, and work with computers, etc, etc, etc. There are LOTS of people out there in all kinds of fields who are computing morons, and you could easily walk into one of those jobs and outshine them. <-- note that I really believe that statement is true RIGHT NOW but in about 5-10 years?? Doubt it, as everyone graduating HS will be pretty computer saavy.

If you're sure computers are right for you, go for it - but just to be clear, a "real" Computer Science degree teaches you very little practical knowledge and a ton of information "you don't really need to know." But it's the experience and the background you gain that make you a valuable employee and teach you to think on your feet and solve new problems.

FYI: I've actually interviewed at Ohio State, and as I recall it is a good school for CS. But again, remember that the education you get there will NOT be focused on things like "how to configure a cisco 2500" or at least, it shouldn't be.

 

[coolred]

Yeah, I have better computer skills hardware wise then a lot of people. My software is not so great. I mean I can do advanced things in windows and stuff. But I don't know how to program or anything like that. I am not looking at computer fields because I think I am computer savvy. I am looking that way becuase I like working on/with computers, hardware and other stuff.

Not that its worth much, but I am A+ certified and I know I could probablly go out and pass the Net+ test too. Not so sure of the microsoft certs, since I have heard they are tough, but who knows. And I don't have any experience with the other big boys in networking(cisco, novell, ect)but I would like to learn them.


ANd while I don't really like the bashing, I do enjoy the criticism, because I am learning a lot of things I didn't really know.