Can I get a Network Administrator Job with this degree

TechPrincess

My current Major is Computer Science, but with these hard economic times Im afraid that I won't find a job.

My advisor told me that I have most of the credits for the Mathematics degree and she told me that there is a track to get a Masters of Mathematics Education and get a Teaching Degree a semester after I recieve my bachelors. ***I really don't want to be a teacher, but would like a job---Me IT***

So how are Math degrees viewed in the IT world (bachelors of Mathematics and Masters of Mathematics Education) for Network Administrators? I plan on getting certifications.

Would Computer Science Majors get first dibs over Math?

skrpune

I think it would really depend on what type of IT work you plan to do. There's tons of math in computer science, but if you don't get the core classes/knowledge in a comp sci degree that may preclude you from jobs that require a bachelors in comp sci.

Rather than change tracks, have you considered picking up a minor? Is there a specific reason that your advisor is steering you towards math instead of comp sci? What type of IT job would you like to do?

EDIT: duh, I just had a sip of my coffee and saw that you actually said (TWICE) what you were looking for. Ugh, so much for my keen attention to detail!

I have to agree with nel - you probably won't be getting a glamorous high paying job right out of school (although some folks do, so there is hope). I say just follow your heart and major in what you love instead of what's convenient.

nel

Could be good towards a programming track as most who do programming seem to be good at maths too. but you would of course have to supplement it with programming modules. Besides there's tons of people who work in IT and have not majored in a IT related field. So dont sweat it. If you wanna get into networking look at additional learning like N+, CCNA etc.

To be honest you may have to start at the bottom of the ladder and work your way up like the rest of us. Dont expect a higher end job fresh out of uni regardless of what the uni staff say. It takes time, additional qualifications, experiance, who you know + luck to get to the more advanced jobs. Im not saying you couldnt do a net admin job or anything like it but just dont expect it to come straight away. Many people fall into this trap. From my experiance its the false sense of purpose that uni's give people.

Also, DONT be pushed into anything you dont wanna do. its your life, grab it by the balls and go and get whats going to make you happy! because if you went the teacher track against your instinct it would be a mistake in the long run.

Good luck.

TechPrincess

Well I was talking to my advisor about fall back careers with my degree...I told her I really wanted to do IT, and she told me about the Masters of Mathematics that offers a Technology and Communication speciality and also a Teacher option.

So she said that I could get MSCE, Network + certifications, and that a Masters of Mathematics would be seen in the same light as a Computer Science degree? <--- is that part true?

skrpune

I can't really say for sure. But unless you supplement your college studies with other certifications & studies on your own, you might be missing out. If minoring in one or the other doesn't appeal to you, then how about a dual major in math & comp sci?

nel

TechPrincess wrote: »

Well I was talking to my advisor about fall back careers with my degree...I told her I really wanted to do IT, and she told me about the Masters of Mathematics that offers a Technology and Communication speciality and also a Teacher option.

So she said that I could get MSCE, Network + certifications, and that a Masters of Mathematics would be seen in the same light as a Computer Science degree? <--- is that part true?

Im still doing my degree PT. Im doing network computing - sounds like its filled with networking modules?? uh uh...wrong. So ive found ive had to supplement my degree with additional study anyway and im taking a "degree in networking" apparently. Thankfully i work FT and get experiance to back it all up.

I dont know if what your advisor said is true but regardless if you do maths or an IT related it will be looked upon favourably at your current level and beyond. One thing i would say is the higher end degrees can play a more important role when you work your way up the ladder. I.e if you were going for a management role a business masters degree + IT experiance maybe looked more favoured upon that a maths degree and IT experiance. (thats just an example). What im trying to say it depends on the job role too. Many people in IT are not only going the technical route but also taking business degree to allow mangement roles to open up.

A masters is a significant investment and one you should think of carefully. Maybe some folk like emes, JD, mikej etc could chip in as they are all at that end of the scale.

UnixGuy

the degree in computer science will add something to your career, but the math degree will add NOTHING to your IT career

TechPrincess

UnixGuy wrote: »

the degree in computer science will add something to your career, but the math degree will add NOTHING to your IT career

point well taking, I think I'm going to stick with my current degree...

markk2008

Programming involves a fair bit of maths, so maybe that would be a better choice for you.

undomiel

If you don't already have an IT job do your best to go out and find one. Get experience while you're still in school and that will smooth the way. If you're looking towards systems administration the programming knowledge that you should pick up from a CS degree will greatly help you out in scripting. Not enough admins out there know how to do proper scripting of tasks. I would also recommend throwing in some work on certification be it towards an MCSE or a CCNA depending upon which route you're planning to go. Experience is tops though so go and get it even if it is part time while you are still there in school.

Daniel333

No.

A degree in IT doesn't even get someone a job in IT most of the time. Experience, certifications, volunteer, and a degree together along with some sorta of professional organization membership will get you on the right path.

NOCup

IT field has a very broad landscape. Do you want to get into programming, application development or IT as like helpdesk, system administration, or networking involving LAN/WAN/security?

Just as you had mention, job market is in a tight spot. Most companies are getting rid of people like an used rags These people are also looking for jobs and they have something you that you cannot complete with -- years of working experience. And they are desperate too, they are willing to take paycuts to get a job. Try to apply some intern jobs in field that you want to enter in your belt before you graduate. Work for free if you must. My company hired a music major from a music school. He was lucky to get this pay internship. A year later, he graduated and we decided to hire him. My NOC is still hiring but we are looking for people are experienced. We have no time to through through training any more. So IMHO, do whatever you can to get some experience before you graduate.

Good luck.

markk2008

I agree with Daniel333, just because someone has an IT qualification it does not mean that they will get an IT job. Like I have said, it is experience that counts and so I would just go out and find a job to gain experience, even if it is a junior position, and this will then be more appealing to potential future employers.