I was thinking. And I began to wonder. There is a series of computer-related skills that I hope to adquire. But is an IT degree the only way to do so? Honestly, I don't know, which is why I ask. Here are the skills I want: -web design -internet security -graphic design -computer repair -networking -multimedia -internet programming -electronic commerce I wouldn't mind knowing a little bit more about computer systems, but these are the basic skills I desire. Is this the kind of stuff that can be learned "on the side"? Or does getting a degree make more sense? Thanks for any answers you can provide.
You could always take computer training courses that may or may not lead to certifications. They are offered at placed like New Horizons Computer Learning Centers. You could alos look at your local community college for certificate programs.
I'm not a "computer person" but I believe that you can learn web design, graphic design, computer repair, multimedia and electronic (internet) commerce all without earning a degree. However, if you're planning on marketing your skills to some corporate employer, it seems generally advisable to have a relevant degree. Once upon a time it was quite possible to get a good job in the computer industry without a degree in anything. My brother did it years ago. I'm guessing that those years have completely passed. Now there are so many people with those basic skills that you need to have a degree in order to be competitive. But that's just my East Coast USA opinion. Here's a link that might help: http://www.pennfoster.edu/category-technology.html
I learned computer repair via Education Direct(Now Penn Foster), very good program and cheap at the time, the only problem with them at that time was the diploma(looks like a cartoon version of a real diploma) it is in a box somewhere.
Given the skills you want, I would suggest to look at a computer information systems program. Devry has one that can satisfy your needs,
Not really, although you never know. It may sound idealistic, but the skills I want to adquire, I want to adquire for me, not for a job. Penn Foster sounds exactly like what I'm looking for. Self-paced and accredited. A very nice combination. Thanks for pointing it out.
Forego the degree if you're interested in practical knowledge.. a friend of mine has a degree in INT and in Business and couldn't land a job - until he got some certs to backup the theoretical knowledge (that being said, you can obtain certs without having a great deal of hands on, though that will come out once on the job). Excellent starting certs: CompTIA. Widely recognized and very achievable and meets a few of your criteria (A+ for computer repair, Network+ for networking...). Brainbench has certs, though I am not going to speak on their validity (or what they are thought of in the field). Microsoft has great certs (MCP for XP or Vista would be a great starting point) and you can move on to design, programming, etc from there. Linux is your goal? LPI certs are the way to go. (If Linux is not your goal, it should be! ) I taught myself by building, repairing, and maintaining computers.. and I was still working on the good old 1200bps with jumpers! Now THAT was fun *NOT*. . So, pick yourself up a few cheap pc's (and they are cheap), start configuring them, swapping hardware, installing software, network them, set up remote printing..etc.. etc.. No theory can replace the hands on experience - don't wait just for a cert - get your hands dirty and learn by breaking it
Get RA BS in IT degree and certifications with WGU http://www.wgu.edu/ WGU is DETC accredited WGU is RA accredited by the Nothwhest Commision and WGU has the distinction of being the only university to receive regional accreditation from four regional accrediting commissions. In part because of its founding by the governors of 19 western states. In this degree, the assessments are in many cases actual industry certification exams. Thus, as a student in the program you will study for and complete the following certification exams (which are all included in your tuition—a huge cost savings for you): CIW Professional CIW Associates Microsoft Certified Professional (based on MS 70-270 Windows XP Exam) Sun Certified Associate for the Java Platform CompTIA Network+ CompTIA Security+ CompTIA Project+ CompTIA A+ IT Technician
This is often just as important or even MORE important if you're looking for a hands-on job, or just to get a personal understanding of some areas of technology. My home "data center" runs a few websites on one server for family/friends (using DDNS and port forwarding to get around my ISP's block on port 80) on top of VMWare server (which is free). I also run a linux router on another server which was useful to learn these things. Then another to set up a SAMBA server to share MP3s throughout the house, etc. When I ended up with more than a few systems I also bought a pro-level KVM switch on eBay for $29 with cables. Add in a cheap 100/1000MB router and you have your own computer lab. I've found the best bang for the buck these days are Compaq DL360 G2 rackable servers - on eBay you can find a nice dual Pentium III w/2+ GB of RAM and dual Raid 1 9/18 GB drives for well under $100. They're old, but they're generally reliable and well-supported by Linux (and don't burn a ton of electricity either). There are a TON of them being phased out by various companies so they're dirt cheap. For computer repair, the best experience you can get is to build a PC from scratch components, including loading the OS, drivers, etc. It's how I started (strangely enough I still remember the low-level formatting codes for a Seagate ST-225 20 MB (!) drive). Don't start with anything expensive, again, buy a couple of old systems from eBay for under $50, gut them and put them in a new case. Only when you get to graphic design or multimedia do you need something higher-end to work with - the rest can be accomplished with lower-end legacy hardware.
Thomas Edison State college has certificate programs as well as degree programs in a number of those intrest that you mentioned www.tesc.edu
I built my first real computer in the 8th grade, before that I had a real crappy eMachine. I didn't start out cheap though, with no knowledge of how to build them, I was working and buying each part separately... then finally got them all and sat down and put everything together. Building computers is really easy, unless it just came naturally to me. It took me maybe 20 minutes to get everything in, connected, and re-checked before booting it up and loading the OS and such. After that it was a hobby, with a new one every year! As far as parts, I started out with Newegg and still use it today.
