Career change into IT or finish my B.M.?

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by sutorii, Sep 28, 2013.

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  1. sutorii

    sutorii New Member

    It seemed appropriate that I write to the very people that are working in the career that I am dreaming for myself.

    I would like a career in any of the following fields: Information Technology, Network Security, and/or Software development.

    I have completed 127 units in the Bachelor of Music degree(I have not completed the degree yet) program at California State University Northridge, because of this I am not eligible for any financial aid.

    My 9/11 G.I. Bill covers 36 months of school. Due to the high requirements of math and science in the San Diego State University, it seems impossible to be able to finish the degree program in 36 months; so transferring does not seem to be an option.

    Currently, I am planning to just take all the available computer science class my local community college has to offer (while interning) and hope for the best.

    The course list for the computer science class interests me (I want to take all of them).

    The associates in science doesn't interest me as much because it only requires 3 units of CS(The rest are business, accounting, and economics).

    I found that the San Diego Continuing Education has classes for "Networking and General IT (Cisco Academy)" and "Web Server Maintenance and Security."

    I have worked as an Information Systems Coordinator in the Marine Corps. I am hoping that this will be considered as at least a help desk experience in the IT field. Help desk is pretty fun; Customer service/complaint department is not.

    I am currently learning python on my own. I plan to take Java, C++, and VB courses in 2014. I am a bit worried that I will not learn proper programming concepts and have a terrible "smell" in my coding.

    Of course I desire a B.S. Degree in Computer Science / Information Technology.
    99% of my units are Music classses so I have a few GEs done. English, speech, polsci, history, etc. Pretty much everything but the math and science. The math and science prepatory classes alone will drain a good chunk of my GI bill.

    Itt tech is looking tempting.

    In your experience which degree/cert/program would be best for someone like me?

    Thank you for taking the time to read this.
     
  2. instant000

    instant000 Member

    1. I would advise you to complete your music degree. Being able to check the bachelors degree check box (even if unrelated) will open up a few more opportunities for you. (Especially if you are that close.)

    2. Before looking at another degree program, I would advise you to look for computer work around music (since this apparently interests you)? This way, you can use your music skills, as well as your IT experience from the military. If you can't get it right now, just keep it in the back of your mind, and circle back to that in the future. Right now, you do need more IT experience, as that helps to open up more opportunities.

    3. If you're looking for a CS degree, you can follow the advice I gave below to find the courses you're looking for.


     
  3. instant000

    instant000 Member

    4. Note: I wouldn't advise ITT Tech to someone who wants to save their money for a reputable school. In contrast, WGU is 3K per semester for all-you-can-eat, and it includes certs, also.

    5. If you're looking at alternative tracks for clearing your math/science credits, you can look at CLEP, Straighterline, etc. Even still, community colleges are usually quite inexpensive, and the search above might yield what you're looking for.

    6. With regards to the 36 months: most of the time, you're just in school for 9 months out of the year, which would stretch out to a full 4-year bachelors degree. (Of course, I would advise getting pre-requisites in cheap community colleges/CLEP/DSST/Straighterline, and then using the GI bill for three things:
    a - Completing the Bachelor degree at a reputable school
    b - Completing the Master degree at a reputable school
    c - Completing a Graduate certificate at a reputable school

    At least, that is my plan for how I will use the GI Bill.

    Hope this helps!
     
  4. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Totally agreed. He can specialize in whatever he wants in a 30 or 36 credit masters degree program.
     
  5. sanantone

    sanantone Well-Known Member

    I agree. Avoid ITT Tech. ITT Tech gives the warning in their commercials that their credits may not transfer. That is because they are nationally accredited. I noticed on another forum that when people bring up examples of schools with bad reputations, the most commonly named ones are University of Phoenix and ITT Tech. On top of that, ITT is rather expensive for a school of its status.
     
  6. sutorii

    sutorii New Member

    Thank you for the quick responses. My last ditch option is starting look like my first go to option.

    Yea, finishing that Bachelor of Music degree is tempting. I'd probably do it if I ever felt I was settled in a I.T. career. I'm just worried that finishing that Bachelor's of music will not get me any closer to an entry level I.T. job.

    Most of the requirements I read on jobs want a Bachelor's of Science.

    Hopelessness dictates that finishing that Bachelor of Music degree while taking as many I.T. classes then getting a graduate degree is my best bet.

    What I want is to take more I.T. related classes instead of taking anything that was directed towards my original degree.
     
  7. sutorii

    sutorii New Member

    Anyone know if National University is a good school for IT?

    Also what would look better in your opinion

    A Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Music

    or

    A Master of Science in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Music

    Thank you.
     
  8. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    It could potentially be less work for you to finish a Bachelors in Music and a Masters in IT. And it would look better.
     
  9. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I wouldn't call that "hopelessness" so much as I would "a good idea". There's a lot of overlap between music and IT, and what employers really want, regardless of what they say, is actual IT expertise, preferably gained by experience. You can spin a music degree in this direction, though. For example, consider downloading and installing Ubuntu Studio and getting the audio system to work properly. By the time you've done this, you'll be able to talk about low latency processing and other IT terms, but all thanks to their application to music.

    -=Steve=-
     
  10. sutorii

    sutorii New Member

    Thank you for the positive reinforcement. I just emailed my old school and hoping for the best. It seems most schools wont allow music transfers. Probably because of the scholarship towards the students etc. A bit of a bummer but oh well.

    Best case scenario : Finish the bachelor of music and pursue a master of science in computer science

    Second option : Attend National University to earn a bachelor of science in computer science

    Worst case scenario : Learn / earn certificates / gain skills in the field and network my way up to success. ( This i'll have to do regardless so I guess it's not really a worst case scenario. )
     
  11. novadar

    novadar Member

    You really should finish the degree you are so close to completing. I know of countless individuals working in IT who would love to have a degree in any subject.

    Seriously the fact that you have a Bachelors is really all that matters most of the time. I have worked with History majors, English majors, Geography, Philosophy, Physical Education (yes), Marketing Education.

    Just get it done. Then go get the Masters if you feel the desire (you really don't need to do that In IT/IS/CS actually -- an MBA is probably the most versatile).
     
  12. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I agree. One of the best IT guys I know studied philosophy through the Master's level, but all that matters now is that he can make computers do his bidding. IT is one of the best industries in this regard.
     
  13. Seconded, wholeheartedly. Not least because I am one of those individuals.

    Finish the music bachelor's. It may prove more useful to you down the line than you realize, and you are so close to finished that it would be inefficient to backtrack and begin a new bachelor's degree.

    As many have noted, access to the IT field is pretty open. Simply having a bachelor's will matter more than what field it is in. And you will get better bang for your GI bill buck investing in a master's degree after the B.M. is complete.

    Also, don't discount the value of your military experience. I have hired ex-military for junior positions knowing full well that their IT knowledge may be specialized to the proprietary military systems they worked with. That mattered little next to knowing that I could count on them for a solid work ethic and a fundamental ability to receive and benefit from training.

    Finally, IT is one of the fields best provided with free open courseware online. Some of the leading universities in the field (MIT, Stanford, etc.) have excellent MOOCs online. I've personally done MIT's Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs and got a lot out of it. If you don't mind not getting credit, doing a couple of these courses could be a great way to get your technical feet wet before starting an IT masters degree of some kind.

    Best of luck to you!!
     
  14. sutorii

    sutorii New Member

    Wow the support from this thread is really incredible. I'm surprised there wasn't a single troll etc.

    Seems like most of the school's that I am applying to won't give me credit for my music classes. It looks like 9-30 units of credit only. My previous school is looking into helping me out and trying to see if I can finish via online.

    I'm not too upset. I wouldn't really call working towards a bachelor of science a worst case scenario ( found a school I can finish a bachelor program with my 9/11 G.I. bill ).

    I'm looking to study Computer Science, but I desire Information Systems technology as well. I'm sure this is a topic discussed numerous times and I can easily google or just browse through the forums here about the topic.

    First world problems?
     

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