Which degree makes the most sense? (Computing)

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>After looking through various colleges for several hours, I’ve come to the conclusion that I know what I want to do, but I can’t figure out what degree is the best fit.</p>

<pre><code> I love computers. I’ve always loved fixing them, setting them up, networking them, building them, managing networks, etc. I love almost everything about them, except programming. For some reason I just can’t grasp it, or when I get some basics under my belt it seems to frustrate and bore me more than intrigue me. I guess I’m more of a hands-on guy than programming allows.

I’m recently A+ certified, and will be a senior in August. I’ll be Network+ certified by the end of my senior year. Those two cetifications things encompass what I want to do and have fun doing.

I’m currently employed by my tech school as an assistant to our two computer repair and networking teachers. I enjoy the simple stuff, simply going around and fixing peoples computers, setting up new computers and printers, helping them learn to use their computers and software to their fullest extent, running cables through the ceiling to new computers or to connect switches, observing our teachers manage security and access privileges, managing servers etc.

What I want to do as an adult is to just manage a network for a business, school or something of the like, doing what I do and watch my teachers do now. Fixing things, managing things, setting up things, making things run smoothly. I can manage some programming, such as databases, but don’t want a degree that focuses on me designing software.

However, looking at all of these collages and the degrees they offer confuses me. All of the degrees seem interesting at least, but Computer Sciences seems to have an awful lot of theory and hands-off things such as programming. Computer Engineering again seems interesting, but something about it seems a little bit off about it. I get the impression (maybe falsely) that it is more about designing actual components over managing them. An IT degree seems like an ideal compromise, but only a few schools seem to have an “Information Technology” degree and some seem like they roll it into their CS/CE degrees. So I’m kind of fuzzy about what an IT degree actually is.

So I guess I’m looking for an answer to what degree best suits what I want to do, and what a degree in Information Technology really is.

                                                                                                    Thanks!

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<p>I don’t think you should be looking for an engineering degree.</p>

<p>Probably more of an associates degree.</p>

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<p>well, i’m kinda wondering what the difference between being an IT and a computer engineer is.?</p>

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<p>Your best bet is information systems, which is a business degree. You will do some database and programming, but if you pick the right program you delve deeply into IT management, networking, and operating system configuration. The types of jobs you can get are various, but most of the people I know work as IT Systems Administrators and they perform a lot of the types of things you said you are interested in. If you don’t want the business degree, and you only want technical training, then an associates degree seems like the proper path. There are associates programs tailored to specific technical fields such as networking or systems admin type stuff. Just do the research online and see what interests you.</p>

5

<p>Not to be a meanie, but there are quite a few threads on here that spell out the differences between CompSci, CompE, I.S. and I.T.</p>

<p>It’s good that you are doing the certifications. Just keep in mind that many employers still tie academic degrees to pay scales and advancement/promotion.</p>