Apex Community Forums - View Single Post - I need some advice on Computer Science degree

lcpiper · 08-March-05, 11:06 AM

OK, try this out for size.

Forget IT for now, it's a fast and changing world out there. If you told me that in 10 years there won't be a need for network admins as we see them today, I would not be able to argue with you. That entire field is dependant on the way we do business on the internet and current generations of network structures. If that changes with a sweet new bit of technology, Network Admin go bye-bye..

Go major in Mathematics, not just because you are likely to almost have a minor anyway but because it's the smart play. Mathematics is NOT about solving mathematical equations, mathematics is about solving real problems using mathematic principles. Keep your attention focused on the words "solving problems".

Employers love math majors, I mean this, they really do. Look at it this way, I have two guys applying for my software engineering position that's open in my business, (the last guy's dog ate him). Guy #1 has a software engineering degree but he is fresh out of school, Guy #2 is a math major and also just graduated. Hm, Hm, descissions, descissions, what do I do ?

Well, no matter which one I hire, I still have to train them, the software engineer guy has been tought some techniques and such, but the schools are always outa date. This other guy is a math major, he was taught how to solve problems and that is more important, techniques are nice, but knowing how to ID, quantify, and find solutions for problems is more important because ALL business is problems.

OK, I think you get the idea here, finish the BA in math, then you have a couple of options, push for the Masters, Go get a job and get on with it, or join the military and get a job that will require a Top Secret Security Clearance. That TS Clearance is worth alot, because there is an entire industry level out there that is completely closed to you if you don't have one.

Boing
Northrup Grumman
Lockhead Martin
General Dynamics
Anteon
L3 Commuications

And a whole bunch more all employ guys and gals with TS Clearances, do yourself a favor, go get one while your young, don't worry, they will feed you, clothe you, and give you spending cash, and tuition assistance while your in, and college funding after you get out. It's an option that you should at least consider. Once you finish with the military and have that clearance, get hired, don't worry you will. Then use that college money and get you additional schooling in whatever part of the IT industry works for you. You company may pay for part of that as well saving you some of your Military funds which you can still go out and use later.

In the IT industry, learning never ever stops. You stop learning and your going to stop getting pay checks.

08-March-05, 11:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
lcpiper H2-Hoe Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ. Posts: 3,339	OK, try this out for size. Forget IT for now, it's a fast and changing world out there. If you told me that in 10 years there won't be a need for network admins as we see them today, I would not be able to argue with you. That entire field is dependant on the way we do business on the internet and current generations of network structures. If that changes with a sweet new bit of technology, Network Admin go bye-bye.. Go major in Mathematics, not just because you are likely to almost have a minor anyway but because it's the smart play. Mathematics is NOT about solving mathematical equations, mathematics is about solving real problems using mathematic principles. Keep your attention focused on the words "solving problems". Employers love math majors, I mean this, they really do. Look at it this way, I have two guys applying for my software engineering position that's open in my business, (the last guy's dog ate him). Guy #1 has a software engineering degree but he is fresh out of school, Guy #2 is a math major and also just graduated. Hm, Hm, descissions, descissions, what do I do ? Well, no matter which one I hire, I still have to train them, the software engineer guy has been tought some techniques and such, but the schools are always outa date. This other guy is a math major, he was taught how to solve problems and that is more important, techniques are nice, but knowing how to ID, quantify, and find solutions for problems is more important because ALL business is problems. OK, I think you get the idea here, finish the BA in math, then you have a couple of options, push for the Masters, Go get a job and get on with it, or join the military and get a job that will require a Top Secret Security Clearance. That TS Clearance is worth alot, because there is an entire industry level out there that is completely closed to you if you don't have one. Boing Northrup Grumman Lockhead Martin General Dynamics Anteon L3 Commuications And a whole bunch more all employ guys and gals with TS Clearances, do yourself a favor, go get one while your young, don't worry, they will feed you, clothe you, and give you spending cash, and tuition assistance while your in, and college funding after you get out. It's an option that you should at least consider. Once you finish with the military and have that clearance, get hired, don't worry you will. Then use that college money and get you additional schooling in whatever part of the IT industry works for you. You company may pay for part of that as well saving you some of your Military funds which you can still go out and use later. In the IT industry, learning never ever stops. You stop learning and your going to stop getting pay checks. __________________ Life is hard. It's harder if your stupid ! Give them enough rope and they'll hang themselves. Give'em a little more and they'll hang us all ! Last edited by lcpiper; 08-March-05 at 11:12 AM.