CS minor. Where to begin?

I just recently completed my (unrelated) undergraduate degree in Finance with a minor in Computer Science. It was not until the end of my college that I really had an idea of what direction to go in. So now, I am on this site asking more experienced people who were in my position about what direction to take.

I know that my unrelated major will be a disadvantage, but I am hoping that I can use my minor to break in to the field while using my major (Finance) to get into higher positions. I am not sure if I want to go into technical stuff or business stuff. Here are the courses I have taken for my CS minor:

1. Java programming (introductory)
2. Java programming (more advanced OO programming)
3. Discrete math
4. Algorithms and Data Structures (in java)
5. Database Management Systems (in postgreSQL)
6. Networking (TCP/IP, UNIX stuff)

I am planning on getting a CCNA: Routers and Switches. The cisco certs are probably useful in the South states where I plan to work. Anybody know what other steps to take? Advice will be appreciated.

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Comments

RoyalRaven

If I asked you what area you had a real passion for, which one would you tell me if I put you on the spot?

That finance degree will help you in many ways in business (including IT), so don't discount it whatsoever. Disadvantage? Nope! You have a degree that can be just as relevant as others, depending on what you end up doing.

You can go in many directions, but it sounds like you need to find an area or two to focus heavily on for a bit. From your classwork and what you mentioned, a systems analyst, programmer, or database role might be the first impression I get and likely a way to use both techical and business knowledge. Networking is a totally different path than those areas (a heck of a lot less overlap with the other areas/less use of that finance degree).

GAngel

That will land you in a bank with the right connections. Walls street depending on the schools rep.
You'd need more SQL/Java/Python but the rest is a dead ringer for a quant if i've ever seen one.

ptilsen

Your degree is going to look amazing to any organization remotely attached to the financial system. You can basically go in any IT direction with this, IMO. Being unsure if you want to go management or pure technical or anywhere in between is fine, really. I think your degree will be useful either way.

Just try to think hard about what you really want to do. If you liked software engineering, go back and finish your CS major. If you like networking, CCNA is the right start, and it's a good start regardless if yo want to do any technical infrastructure work. If you think systems administration and the like would be more your style, you can study Windows or Linux or UNIX or any combination. If you do find yourself leaning more towards the business side, studying ITIL could actually be a great first step, although ITIL can be useful to any infrastructure professional. Finally, you might want to look at Security+ somewhere down the road, just because even a little bit of security knowledge can help a lot in the finance industry.

DissonantData

If I asked you what area you had a real passion for, which one would you tell me if I put you on the spot?

That finance degree will help you in many ways in business (including IT), so don't discount it whatsoever. Disadvantage? Nope! You have a degree that can be just as relevant as others, depending on what you end up doing.

You can go in many directions, but it sounds like you need to find an area or two to focus heavily on for a bit. From your classwork and what you mentioned, a systems analyst, programmer, or database role might be the first impression I get and likely a way to use both techical and business knowledge. Networking is a totally different path than those areas (a heck of a lot less overlap with the other areas/less use of that finance degree).

The reason I was considering a CCNA was to get my foot in the door. From what I understand, IT involves three things which are programming, databases, and networking and they are all interconnected. I have already been looking for a job for the past month or two since I graduated last May, yet I have gotten no reply, probably because employers are listing Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or related degree as a requirement. I am not sure whether or not they are considering my minor. I am still hopeful because I have heard of IT professionals working in the field with unrelated degrees along with never having taken a programming class.

That will land you in a bank with the right connections. Walls street depending on the schools rep.
You'd need more SQL/Java/Python but the rest is a dead ringer for a quant if i've ever seen one.

I believe those jobs are more plentiful in New York and Boston rather than in the South. They are probably also looking for someone who has a masters degree or higher in Math or Computer Science.

Your degree is going to look amazing to any organization remotely attached to the financial system. You can basically go in any IT direction with this, IMO. Being unsure if you want to go management or pure technical or anywhere in between is fine, really. I think your degree will be useful either way.

Just try to think hard about what you really want to do. If you liked software engineering, go back and finish your CS major. If you like networking, CCNA is the right start, and it's a good start regardless if yo want to do any technical infrastructure work. If you think systems administration and the like would be more your style, you can study Windows or Linux or UNIX or any combination. If you do find yourself leaning more towards the business side, studying ITIL could actually be a great first step, although ITIL can be useful to any infrastructure professional. Finally, you might want to look at Security+ somewhere down the road, just because even a little bit of security knowledge can help a lot in the finance industry.

I am only looking for an entry level job at this point considering I'm not sure what path to take. I would like to have at least one year of experience regardless of which area in IT I work in. A CCNA might be a good addition to the CS minor that I have.

ptilsen

DissonantData wrote: »

From what I understand, IT involves three things which are programming, databases, and networking and they are all interconnected.

It's a lot more complicated than this. There's also systems administration/engineering, which depending on how you want to categorize things might include Windows/Microsoft server technologies, Linux/UNIX, virtualization, storage, or even more specific things like email/messaging, web, and so on. I would also say they're not necessarily that related. A CS background is definitely good for database work, but software development is not similar to database administration, per se. And while they're interconnected, one certainly needn't have any depth in multiple areas. Good, broad understanding is always helpful, but getting a CCNA, for example, would be an odd move for a prospective software engineer. Even one who did low-level network programming probably wouldn't consider it.

DissonantData wrote: »

I believe those jobs are more plentiful in New York and Boston rather than in the South. They are probably also looking for someone who has a masters degree or higher in Math or Computer Science.

Graduate degrees are nice, but I don't think there's an IT-related career path that really needs them. A CS minor is probably plenty to get into the kind of jobs GAngel is hinting at. However, restricting yourself to the South will certainly limit these sorts of opportunities.

Regardless, I think CCNA is probably a good start if you'd even consider a career in any infrastructure field. Worst case, you may decide you hate networking based on getting it or trying, and it will give you career direction. Best case, you love it and you've found your passion.