I'll be going to University of South Florida soon, and have to choose between two degrees, I want to head into general Server (IT) administration for a small / medium business. Setting up computers, imaging, managing file servers / logon servers /etc.
I have two degrees I'm currently choosing between:
- BSAS http://www.poly.usf.edu/Academics/AppliedAS/BSAS-IT/Program_of_Study.html
- BSIT http://www.poly.usf.edu/IT/
I like the idea of a BSAS because it'll get me out sooner, and then I can work on a few certifications to "match" the BSIT... I'm just worried companies will look at that as a "lesser" degree to a BSIT (or even a CS degree.)
What are your guys' thoughts on these two degrees? The BSIT has more math, which I still have about 2 more classes to go through (I'll be heading to USF this August.) while the BSIT doesn't require those 2 extra math classes.
I keep on hearing from people that when they hire you for your first job, they don't care which degree you have, as long as it's relevant and it's a 4-year degree, is this true?
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If there was a case where two people where applying for the job and they had identical experience, certifications, and the thing different was which of those two degree they had, then it may matter. But it is pretty rare to have candidates that are nearly identical.
So the answer is, that which IT degree you get probably doesn't matter unless you are in one of those rare cases where it does.
Either degree should be able to prepare you to work in IT if you put in the effort to learn.
Chris S : I largely agree, though I would add that certain programs will push you into intercurricular activities more than others. These are the programs you want, a degree by itself isn't as much as degree with plenty of degree-relevant outside activities.From Zoredache -
A 4-year degree seems excessive for an IT administration job. Best to stick your nose into a series of vendor (like Cisco, Windows Server, Oracle, etc) course books and memorise them cover to cover.
If you want to do development or advanced networking then a degree may offer some help. Regardless of what you learn at university it is a generally acknowledged fact that you will be of no practical use in the workplace until you've had a bit of a experience.
Trade qualifications and vendor courses offer skills more immediately useful to an employer - so if you're in a hurry to start administration this may be your best bet.
For the record I have a 4-year electrical engineering degree.
From PP -
From my experience on both sides of the interview table your college degree matters less than your practical skills. That said, if you're going to be doing more than just simple grunt-work administration the "harder" degree with the extra math may be worth pursuing.
It's a bit of an inside joke in my circle that the best way to pick a *NIX administrator is to select the one who has been to bartending school.
From voretaq7
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