How valuable is a B.A in IT? Thanks in Advance!

It's a B.S in IT <><><><><>

I can't decide whether to go Computer Information Systems or Information Technology.

I see a lot of people dealing with the difficulty in finding jobs with a B.S in IT and was wondering what would be the best route as far as a B.S goes? I see C.I.S goes farther down here in Georgia as pretty much every school contains a program.

I plan on interning in IT and/or getting a job at Geek Squad to gather experience.

I plan on either being a Desktop Support Technician, or a Administrator of some type.

Any reccomendations or insights would be greatly appreciated.

THANKS!

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Comments

phantasm

I wouldn't do a B.A. in anything technical. A B.S. is the best bet, I would so go for one of those.

rogue2shadow

Definitely go for the B.S.

GamingCrazy

rogue2shadow wrote: »

Definitely go for the B.S.

I fail ultimately, it's a B.S in IT. But it didn't seem like there was a general track besides exploring different parts databases, software, security, etc.

veritas_libertas

Well, unless you really like Humanities, and Artsy stuff stick with a BS. If you don't it honestly might drive you crazy, and make you hate your time in college.

GamingCrazy

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Well, unless you really like Humanities, and Artsy stuff stick with a BS. If you don't it honestly might drive you crazy, and make you hate your time in college.

I know I just replied that it's a B.S in IT just trying to lengthen the point.

What exactly does one study with a B.S in IT.

Goal: Trying to become a Master at one specific system. Trying to go Cisco and get CCNA: Voice. Would this be on track with a B.S in IT?

What does one exactly learn, I'm really confused sorry.

phantasm

GamingCrazy wrote: »

I know I just replied that it's a B.S in IT just trying to lengthen the point.

What exactly does one study with a B.S in IT.

Goal: Trying to become a Master at one specific system. Trying to go Cisco and get CCNA: Voice. Would this be on track with a B.S in IT?

What does one exactly learn, I'm really confused sorry.

What you learn in school while studying for your B.S. in IT depends on the school and program curriculum. If you want to do voice then get your CCNA and then CCNA Voice. It's that simple man.

You do not need the B.S. for the CCNA Voice or otherwise.

MeanDrunkR2D2

GamingCrazy wrote: »

I know I just replied that it's a B.S in IT just trying to lengthen the point.

What exactly does one study with a B.S in IT.

Goal: Trying to become a Master at one specific system. Trying to go Cisco and get CCNA: Voice. Would this be on track with a B.S in IT?

What does one exactly learn, I'm really confused sorry.

It depends on what IT related BS degree you go for really. CIS is good if you want a wide range of skills and teach you a little bit about alot. Of course it depends on the college you choose and what they offer. What do you envision doing when you get done?

And honestly, don't count on getting a desktop support position right out of college. You'll likely start in a helpdesk and move up from there. And an administrator position is even less likely.

And do you really want to be a master of one specific system? What if you get that degree and find out that you don't like that type of work? A more well rounded degree can and will help you out further in your career and use certifications to emphasize where you want to go.

GamingCrazy

MeanDrunkR2D2 wrote: »

It depends on what IT related BS degree you go for really. CIS is good if you want a wide range of skills and teach you a little bit about alot. Of course it depends on the college you choose and what they offer. What do you envision doing when you get done?

And honestly, don't count on getting a desktop support position right out of college. You'll likely start in a helpdesk and move up from there. And an administrator position is even less likely.

And do you really want to be a master of one specific system? What if you get that degree and find out that you don't like that type of work? A more well rounded degree can and will help you out further in your career and use certifications to emphasize where you want to go.

The school I would go to offers a B.S in IT with emphasis in information and security. But based on looking at the course overload I can't see much as far specificity goes.

I want to have a range of skills in one specific subject. Specifically cisco, but It seems as a B.S in IT focuses on the specifics of multiple subjects.

Thanks!

veritas_libertas

GamingCrazy wrote: »

I know I just replied that it's a B.S in IT just trying to lengthen the point.

What exactly does one study with a B.S in IT.

Goal: Trying to become a Master at one specific system. Trying to go Cisco and get CCNA: Voice. Would this be on track with a B.S in IT?

What does one exactly learn, I'm really confused sorry.

My apologies, I shouldn't have been replying while tired

IT degrees paths are definetly not created equal. It really just depends are what the college deems as a well rounded degree plan.

GamingCrazy wrote: »

The school I would go to offers a B.S in IT with emphasis in information and security. But based on looking at the course overload I can't see much as far specificity goes.

I want to have a range of skills in one specific subject. Specifically cisco, but It seems as a B.S in IT focuses on the specifics of multiple subjects.

Thanks!

The problem is that most colleges teach IT very broadly, and subjects within an IT degree are often taught with less depth than you would imagine. What you are looking for is a college that teaches the way that a tech college does. That will be difficult to find unfortunately.

gosh1976

GamingCrazy wrote: »

The school I would go to offers a B.S in IT with emphasis in information and security. But based on looking at the course overload I can't see much as far specificity goes.

I want to have a range of skills in one specific subject. Specifically cisco, but It seems as a B.S in IT focuses on the specifics of multiple subjects.

Thanks!

I have started back to school this summer. I'm enrolled in a A.A.S. in Computer Networking Technology program. It is very much Cisco oriented and the school is a Cisco Academy partner. I'll likely continue on to the B.A.S. in Technology Management with concentration in Computer Networking.

veritas_libertas

gosh1976 wrote: »

I have started back to school this summer. I'm enrolled in a A.A.S. in Computer Networking Technology program. It is very much Cisco oriented and the school is a Cisco Academy partner. I'll likely continue on to the B.A.S. in Technology Management with concentration in Computer Networking.

That is the thing, you can find those with AAS degrees, but BS degrees rarely do that. I wish I had that oppurtunity when I was working on my AAS.

GamingCrazy

veritas_libertas wrote: »

That is the thing, you can find those with AAS degrees, but BS degrees rarely do that. I wish I had that oppurtunity when I was working on my AAS.

Were you able to transfer your credits from your A.A.S to the B.S in IT you are currently working to?

Also, there is another college down the street that offers A.A.S in Information Security, and Networking specialist which seems to be more specific as far as the career field I want to go in.

Although, it looks like it will be a arm and a leg to obtain a b.a.s (I think that is what it is called).

Thanks for the help guys!

veritas_libertas

GamingCrazy wrote: »

Were you able to transfer your credits from your A.A.S to the B.S in IT you are currently working to?

Also, there is another college down the street that offers A.A.S in Information Security, and Networking specialist which seems to be more specific as far as the career field I want to go in.

Although, it looks like it will be a arm and a leg to obtain a b.a.s (I think that is what it is called).

Thanks for the help guys!

Part of my degree yes, but since it is an A.A.S., I wasn't able to transfer as much (I learned my lesson the hard way.) Make sure if you want to go for a Bachelor degree down the road that you get an A.S. that has transfer agreements to a University. I haven't seen many places that have BAS degrees.

Bachelor of Applied Science - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

phantasm

veritas_libertas wrote: »

Part of my degree yes, but since it is an A.A.S., I wasn't able to transfer as much (I learned my lesson the hard way.) Make sure if you want to go for a Bachelor degree down the road that you get an AAS that has transfer agreements to a University. I haven't seen many places that have BAS degrees.

Bachelor of Applied Science - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you want transfer credits for a 4 yr school then you go for an Associate of Arts degree. Most A.S. or A.A.S. programs do not transfer very well.

GamingCrazy

Looks like a B.S in IT is where it's at.

Is geeksquad considered experience? And how valued are internships at a college?

Thanks!

veritas_libertas

phantasm wrote: »

If you want transfer credits for a 4 yr school then you go for an Associate of Arts degree. Most A.S. or A.A.S. programs do not transfer very well.

Oops, I didn't mean to put AAS twice in that paragraph. Nice catch

gosh1976

GamingCrazy wrote: »

Looks like a B.S in IT is where it's at.

Is geeksquad considered experience? And how valued are internships at a college?

Thanks!

I would think any kind of experience would be valuable experience for someone breaking into the IT industry whether it be Geek Squad, volunteering, or internships. That is especially true in today's job market.

GamingCrazy

Yeah what I love about IT is, you can get a job doing a multiple range of things. You don't need a B.S or a Masters to get a entry level job etc.

I would be fine starting low and working my way up, but I want to make sure i'm investing my scholarship in the right degree.

I have a 100% Tuition for 4 Years and 1/2 on books, so I want to make sure I utilize that to the best of my ability.

veritas_libertas

phoeneous wrote: »

I wouldn't say rarely. When I was in college we worked with Cisco routers, pix and asa firewalls.

I have to admit that I am surprised to hear this. Where did you get your degree from?

GamingCrazy

B.S in IT B.S. in Information Technology

and A.A.S with specific degree programs in C.I.S
Gwinnett Technical College

Let me know what you guys think! Thanks

gosh1976

GamingCrazy wrote: »

B.S in IT B.S. in Information Technology

and A.A.S with specific degree programs in C.I.S
Gwinnett Technical College

Let me know what you guys think! Thanks

I'm not sure what part of metro Atlanta you are in but you could compare and contrast with this:
The College of Information and Mathematical Sciences

veritas_libertas

phoeneous wrote: »

ITT Tech.

It has its pros AND cons...

Okay, I wasn't thinking anything negative so don't worry. After all, I am doing a fully online education so I couldn't attack if I wanted to

MentholMoose

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I have to admit that I am surprised to hear this. Where did you get your degree from?

The networking track in the CIS program at the university I attended (a CSU) had some courses that included hands-on with Cisco equipment. The lab was decent, but not nearly as good as the one at the community college I attended.

zerglings

GamingCrazy wrote: »

Is geeksquad considered experience?

Geek Squad probably had some weight when my old manager decided to hire me. Anyway, one year Geek Squad probably saved my butt to not work on Fuji photo machines. There were two positions when I was hired, Fuji photo machines or IT taking care of different systems - AS/400, Linux/Unix server, POS (no, not the one you're thinking 'piece of sh!t' but Point Of Sale - well, I guess you can call it piece of sh!t because it is so old!), VSAT, PCs, robotics (Yuyama - pill counters), laser printers, and etc.

Ashenwelt

Honestly, a BS in IT is a great degree to have... once you have fifteen to twenty-five years in the field. Before that, it is just like a cert... you use it to get an interview. But once you have the seniority and expierence, it makes the difference between being a senior engineer and director of IT.

Phliplip112

GamingCrazy wrote: »

B.S in IT B.S. in Information Technology

and A.A.S with specific degree programs in C.I.S
Gwinnett Technical College

Let me know what you guys think! Thanks

I have my AAS from GTC with Cisco track. I suggest doing the Windows track though. Don't get me wrong the Cisco program is good, but you will have a hard time finding a job working on Cisco gear with no previous experience( this is what happened to me, you may get lucky). You can always go back and take the CCNA classes.

If you get an AAS and keep your GPA above 2.5 you can transfer to SPSU for a BAS in IT and just take the 60 credit more hours.

BAS in IT

If you try to go from AAS -> BS in IT it will take you longer because less classes transfer.

GamingCrazy

I think I'm gonna take the B.S in IT,

What does C.I.S Prepare you for in contrast to I.T, and do you have to do additional study to get certifications in these majors?

Thanks! and Sorry I haven't responded in the last couple of days.

Phliplip112

GamingCrazy wrote: »

I think I'm gonna take the B.S in IT,

What does C.I.S Prepare you for in contrast to I.T, and do you have to do additional study to get certifications in these majors?

Thanks! and Sorry I haven't responded in the last couple of days.

They are they are the same area of study. Its just a different type of school. Usually you do one or the other since they both teach the same concepts.

veritas_libertas

Phliplip112 wrote: »

BAS in IT

That is the Georgia college that I was going to mention...

dennis1960

Hey everyone,

Just joined the community and really like the posts. This one caught my eye since its a question I ask myself constantly. Currently a network engineer dealing with very small financial companies across the country. Have about 10 years experience with AAS in IT and certs in A+, CCNA, and Novell CNE. The degree and certs are 8 years old.

Looks as though our clients are taking the recession hard and thus my company is suffering as well. Need to update my resume but can't decide whether to pursue a BS in IT or update my certs then go for the BS.
The CompTIA (A+, Net+, Sec+) tests should go quickly, and then renew the CCNA and maybe add a MSCIT. This should get me some job prospects in the next 6 - 12 months if my company closes its doors.

I realize that WGU offers these certs as part of the BS IT-Sec degree. My question remains - is this something I want to commit to or even need at my age (50)? I'm not interested in the management side of IT. I prefer to stay with the "nuts and bolts" area and specialize in designing and maintaining network security.

Thanks for your opinion,