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Bachelors degree...right for me?
MeepZero
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So here's the story, I'm 24, just recently finished my associate's degree in school. Computer Information Systems with a concentration in MCSE. I'm trying to work my way though getting a bachelor's degree but with work right now it just makes it so much more difficult to get any amount of real studying done. I work in a software company doing software support for customer (lawyers) and internal account reps. While it pays well and the work isn't bad, its definitely not something I want to do the rest of my life.
I have experience with windows domain systems mostly, bunch of stuff with mac XServe, a little bit with linux. I would love to spend my free time learning more Java or Python but at the moment I'm trapped in Economics and Accounting homework.
Basically, is it really worth it for me to finish my BA in CS, or can I put that aside to work on MCSE, CCNA, linux and redhat certs and still make it in the industry?
I have experience with windows domain systems mostly, bunch of stuff with mac XServe, a little bit with linux. I would love to spend my free time learning more Java or Python but at the moment I'm trapped in Economics and Accounting homework.
Basically, is it really worth it for me to finish my BA in CS, or can I put that aside to work on MCSE, CCNA, linux and redhat certs and still make it in the industry?
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Right now I'm in that same sisuation. I have a good job, but think it's worth taking a class or two every semester. Eventually it'll pay off.
A bachelors in CS will widen your avenues and you may discover something you really enjoy.
If I were you, I'd go for the bachelors if you can afford it, it's only going to help you, and you can still fall back on MSCE, etc.
we also talk about other random shit and clown upon each other
I'm a little concerned about a misunderstanding in the thread so far. Are you pursuing a B.A. or a B.S. in computer science? Either will work, but if you still have the choice to choose the B.S. will be slightly more useful in finding a job than the B.A. Definitely stick with this plan though, it sucks working while doing it but when you're finished you'll be really glad you did it. Current average starting salary for CS grads is mid-50K.
PSN: TheScrublet
The rough part for me here with the BA in CS is that I will need to quit my job at some point to make room for the classes if I want to have any hope in finishing before I'm 30. With that, is it ok to go for it through student loans? The idea of taking a loan out scares me to death, I think I could pay it off without much pain, it may be something Ive just thought up over the years. Should I worry that much about student loans? Then theres the problem about where I'll live, I have a girlfriend, (who is quite wonderful) and If she gets a semi stable income (she was a studio art major...yeah I know :P ) then I can just live with her for awhile while I hammer down the class work.
Bah, head is spinning! PA hivemind, what do you think?
The loan is an investment in future earnings.
Additionally, it's kind of arrogant to look down on the degree of someone who is going to help them out, especially for someone who was about to coast by on an Associates Degree.
Absolute worst case, you get MORE student loan money to help cover your rent. But if you have an alternative to that definitely take it.
PSN: TheScrublet
That came off a little harsh on my part, she tends to joke about it quite a bit and its become a bit of a habit to reference it that way because of it. She is a fantastically hard worker and makes me look like a street bum with how much effort and passion she puts in her work. But she has also made it pretty obvious that unless she gets particularly lucky its going to be a difficult road until she can really work on her art and not have to have a second job somewhere.
tldr Oops, didnt mean it that way.
I agree for the most part (well, everything but Cisco certs are ussually crap). It's better over all to have any a BS in CS. But if you already have one, nothing wrong with picking up some certs. If anything, it'll get your foot in the door. A lot of the bigger companies have a HR department that only looks at a degrees/certs.
If person A has a BS in CS and person B has a BS in CS and a Java, MSCE, A+ and a few Cisco certs; then more times then not, person B is going to be interviewed first. Most HR departments don't know what any of this shit means, but there is more words under "Education and Certifications" so obviously they must be more qualified, right?
Also, most all certs are stupidly easy to get. You can easily knock out an A+ and Network+ cert in a few hours if you can find a testing center.
But yea, don't let your BS/BA go down the drain chasing certs.
Also experience and self-published works can get you lots of jobs. In some respects it can be better then a degree. I've been in many interviews here the guys face has been stone cold scanning my resume and then softens up with a smile saying "oh, you wrote XYZ?! Nice, I use that a lot."
In fact, I would say general experience in the field counts for a lot. IT/Programming is one of the few jobs still left were you can make a decent living without a degree. That door is starting to shut, but still can get in if you are good and dedicated.
Networking and knowing people brings in a lot of offers too.
What kind of money you making?
Experience counts for a lot too. Having a few years experience + degree would be better IMHO then a degree with only a year experience.
Also check with your HR department and see what they have for "Educational Reimbursement". The company I work at gives us $7.5K a year that we can use towards college, training, etc.
Do you know what you want to do long term? Here is some numbers, from 2000:
http://academics.css.edu/cis/Careers.shtml
A BS in CS degree will pay for it's self over time, unlike an art degree or other non-sense like that. After you're out, just focus on paying down the loan and don't worry about getting a big house or anything like that till you have that paid off.
At the moment I work as a phone support tech for a big company making about 33k a year. I would love to get into working at a smaller consulting firm and doing all kinds of stuff for small companies to be honest, looking over that link now, will post thoughts shortly like.
Company pays up to 5.2k per year for school, problem is the work I do does not work around school scheduling at all.
Have you looked at schools that work around your work schedule? I have the same problem, but found a private university and community college that have 'flexible' scheduling. Both offer evening classes, weekend classes, "adult learning" classes and online classes. It's not prefect and a bit tougher then day classes; but ussually can find a class/schedule that works for me. I would suspect most schools do the same?
Thanks guys!
PSN: TheScrublet