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Do you guys think college is worth it?

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Basic

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« on: <09-11-13/0240:51> »
Hey guys. Right now I am thinking about going to college for a Associates in computer information systems and wanted to know if you guy's think college is worth it right now ?

All I can keep thinking about is how if I don't get a job after I will become a debt slave to paying off a degree that is not getting me a job.
« Last Edit: <09-30-13/0757:17> by Basic »
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TheDarkMessiah

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« Reply #1 on: <09-11-13/0508:14> »
For me, it wasn't. I just spent the whole time chilling out and not working. I left in the second year and am now working full time and making decent wages. That is the better option for some people. But, if you're a studious guy, and think you can do well out of it, knock yourself out.
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FastJack

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« Reply #2 on: <09-11-13/0746:10> »
It's a tough question. I admit, I got lucky and walked away from college with zero debt, but that was in the "good ol' days". A college degree is definitely worth pursuing, just because it does give you a leg up in most cases. But nowadays, you might be better off working and taking the classes at night or online.

Just remember though, no matter what you choose, you will ALWAYS be a debt slave for life. And Powerball is nothing more than a pension dispensary for our super-secret government agents (think about it, you never see the twenty-something just starting out winning, do you?).

CanRay

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« Reply #3 on: <09-11-13/1604:19> »
It's a gamble.  I got into College about the same time that the Dot-Com bubble burst, so when I graduated and moved to Winnipeg, I was competing against people that had 10+ years experience, certifications out the wazoo, and had previously been Network Administrators.

For a tech support job that hired anyone who took "Keyboarding" in High School.

Now?  Might be quite different with that kind of degree.  But it really depends on where you live/going to live.

Trades are a lot better to go into today, and are a much less gamble.
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Crunch

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« Reply #4 on: <09-11-13/1613:53> »
Typically if you're chasing the industry of the month you'll end up in a crowded field that's hard to gain traction in. Find something you can excel at and enjoy and go for that, whatever it is. If that's an academic field then you need college. If it's a trade you're looking at a different path (although that can include a degree as well). Trying to pick your field based on what's hot now is almost always a losing proposition.

I think when I was in Elementary school the "can't miss" field was Aerospace Engineering. When I graduated High School Aerospace Engineers were working at McDonalds and the "can't miss" was to drop out of school and get your networking cert.

If you're specifically looking at computing right now... I don't know. There are a number of useful skill sets in CIS, but CIS is almost unique in being a field where it's very possible to get non academic certs that are as good or better than an associates degree on the resume.

martinchaen

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« Reply #5 on: <09-11-13/1620:24> »
Any degree is probably better than no degree if you ask me, but like others have said it's going to depend on what you want to do.

I spent five years in the Army, and only got a job because I a) knew someone who knew someone, and b) had developed a skill set valued by the mega's one is unlikely to obtain elsewhere in civilian life.

So, if it hadn't been for my Army background, I very much doubt I would be in the same situation I am now, for better and worse. On that vein, I would highly recommend serving, not because I'm a diehard "everybody should serve!" type of guy, but because my experiences (good and bad) shaped me into the man I am today, and I for one came out better off than I went in. Also, the people. Won't find a bond like that anywhere else.

Best of luck to you in any case :)

Basic

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« Reply #6 on: <09-11-13/1759:26> »
For me I love working with computers and work for my self repairing computers currently. I wanna move into computer security and become a penetration tester that is why I I wanna get a degree.

Oh and if you don't know what a Penetration tester is. Well They are like shadowrunners but legal. You are paid to find holes in the security of the people paying you by acting like the criminals who want to get in and tell them how to fix those holes.
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Sendaz

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« Reply #7 on: <09-11-13/1814:56> »
I went Air Force with some college after, with the schooling being pretty much paid for by that time in service.

Service can give you a good transition for a young adult, plus cyberwarfare is a growing concern and one the military has to consider so you may find a career in computers there as well.

If you get really good you could even serve on their 'red teams', the Army runs one of the biggest  and includes penetration hackers among their ranks.
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Black

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« Reply #8 on: <09-11-13/1834:45> »
I would recommend it, not only for the degree, but because generally University gets you thinking in different ways, questioning things differently and so forth.  For ICT Security, you will defininently need it, but keep in mind, its unlikely you will find your ideal IT job right of the bat.  You may end do some fairly boring integration testing, or some server configuration etc.  And some of your future collegues will get there without the full degree.  But your degree will come in useful down the track and ultimately will help open doors that may have been closed to you otherwise.

Regardless, best of luck with whatever path you choose.  And always, always, keep on learning.
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« Reply #9 on: <09-11-13/2211:05> »
The cab I took last week was driven by an IT professional.

The steak I ate last night in the bar by a woman with a masters degree in sociology...

If I was you, I would take a look at the last 5 years for the field you are wanting to study. If the wages are dropping, then so is the demand.... And you are saddled with debt and asking if I would like fries with my steak.


••••
20 years ago I went into trades (Electrical/ industrial instrumentation mechanics) and everyone thought I was a sucker as 'computers is the way of the future'! Or thought I should study business admin....

Well, I have made six figures for the last 15 years, take MONTHS off at a time, have travelled and worked in a dozen countries over the world on my employer's dime... And was debt free from my student loans WEEKS after completing each year of school. (in Canada, trades require hours worked spaced with classroom time)...


So if you are trying to plan for your future be aware that technology degrees in many cases come with an expiry date of "the next big breakthrough"....
Where am I going? And why am I in a hand basket ???

Remember: You can't fix Stupid. But you can beat on it with a 2x4 until it smartens up! Or dies.

Shadowjack

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« Reply #10 on: <09-19-13/0944:27> »
It really just depends on what you want in life and what interests you. I always planned to go, but in the end I didn't. I have quite a nice and lucrative career which I enjoy thoroughly. That would be professional poker. Not for everyone, but I find it to be the most suitable career for me and I've never had a boss, schedule or anything else, it's great. So again, it depends on what you want in life. There is always some obscure opportunity waiting for you if you decide to seek it out.
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Basic

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« Reply #11 on: <09-20-13/0523:37> »
The cab I took last week was driven by an IT professional.

The steak I ate last night in the bar by a woman with a masters degree in sociology...

If I was you, I would take a look at the last 5 years for the field you are wanting to study. If the wages are dropping, then so is the demand.... And you are saddled with debt and asking if I would like fries with my steak.


••••
20 years ago I went into trades (Electrical/ industrial instrumentation mechanics) and everyone thought I was a sucker as 'computers is the way of the future'! Or thought I should study business admin....

Well, I have made six figures for the last 15 years, take MONTHS off at a time, have travelled and worked in a dozen countries over the world on my employer's dime... And was debt free from my student loans WEEKS after completing each year of school. (in Canada, trades require hours worked spaced with classroom time)...


So if you are trying to plan for your future be aware that technology degrees in many cases come with an expiry date of "the next big breakthrough"....

Well mostly I wanna study the security end and from what I am looking at no matter what new tech there is you still will need security because there are always people breaking it.
--Is today the day you thought about doing something, or the day you did something?--

--We cheat Death from his rightful victory. No one can defeat us we are glad to plunge feet first into hell in the knowledge that we will rise.--

Reaver

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« Reply #12 on: <09-20-13/1045:50> »
The cab I took last week was driven by an IT professional.

The steak I ate last night in the bar by a woman with a masters degree in sociology...

If I was you, I would take a look at the last 5 years for the field you are wanting to study. If the wages are dropping, then so is the demand.... And you are saddled with debt and asking if I would like fries with my steak.


••••
20 years ago I went into trades (Electrical/ industrial instrumentation mechanics) and everyone thought I was a sucker as 'computers is the way of the future'! Or thought I should study business admin....

Well, I have made six figures for the last 15 years, take MONTHS off at a time, have travelled and worked in a dozen countries over the world on my employer's dime... And was debt free from my student loans WEEKS after completing each year of school. (in Canada, trades require hours worked spaced with classroom time)...


So if you are trying to plan for your future be aware that technology degrees in many cases come with an expiry date of "the next big breakthrough"....

Well mostly I wanna study the security end and from what I am looking at no matter what new tech there is you still will need security because there are always people breaking it.

All I am saying is "Do your research"    Last thing you want is 60k in debt and a $15/hr job...
Where am I going? And why am I in a hand basket ???

Remember: You can't fix Stupid. But you can beat on it with a 2x4 until it smartens up! Or dies.

CanRay

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« Reply #13 on: <09-21-13/1527:25> »
All I am saying is "Do your research"    Last thing you want is 60k in debt and a $15/hr job...
Frag, I'd have done quite a few things for a $15/hour job.
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« Reply #14 on: <09-21-13/1554:29> »
All I am saying is "Do your research"    Last thing you want is 60k in debt and a $15/hr job...
Frag, I'd have done quite a few things for a $15/hour job.

last time I worked for LESS than $16/hr, min wage was $4.35 /hr...

Now, the wage is between $40-175/hr... depending on the working conditions, the job in question, etc...
Where am I going? And why am I in a hand basket ???

Remember: You can't fix Stupid. But you can beat on it with a 2x4 until it smartens up! Or dies.