Alright so the title wasn’t exactly clear cut; let me elaborate. I am a CIS major, and I will graduate next May. Afterwards which I will continue to pursue my Master’s in the same concentration. I’ll add that I am not 100% on which career path I’ll take once I am completed. I love all things IT, and will be more set on career opportunities available instead of searching for my ideal job. I have a sturdy background in networking, and currently work on a networking team for the university.
My question is should I start focusing on building a foundation in a programming language such as C or Java, pursue my CCNA, or some other IT related focus? I am trying to make myself as marketable as possible before completion. As for individuals who do not feel strongly about CIS degrees, you inputs aren’t necessary. I have contacts all throughout the business world with the same degree who swear by it. I did not have a strong enough Arithmatic background to go directly down the CS path, nor do I want to just write code for a living.
So the questions are: is a CCNA necessary if I have a CIS degree and the knowledge the CCNA requires?
Should I build a foundation on a programming language for the next year?
Are there other IT related topics I should focus on outside of school to make myself more appealing to employers?
Keep in mind I understand experience is everything and generally everyone starts out at the bottom. I was in IT in the Marine Corps and for the last 3 years since I’ve been out. I’m referring to at a minimum, what assists me with that bottom position. Thanks in advance.
The question is what sort of IT path do you want to pursue after school? If you want to leverage your networking experience, then you should get your CCNA. Certifications tend to be a base requirement these days, even if you have an IT degree.
If you want to pursue more of an applications programming role, then learning to program would be good.
As for other topics, consider info security. That tends to dovetail well with networking experience. The need for security in various forms continues to grow. And companies increasingly have security departments, or at least roles, in IT separate from their networking groups. That would give you a couple areas of focus (networking, security).
Thanks for your response.
The question is what sort of IT path do you want to pursue after school?
I have no particular path I am going to take. I am merely going to take the best of the career options that presents itself. So I guess to narrow in on the answer I’m looking for.
What is more marketable? A CIS degree with more networking or programming?
But what you want to do really drives the answer. Either networking or programming can be marketable, particularly if you can pair that with demonstrated skills and experience.
Was your Corps and subsequent experience focused on networking? If so, then do you want to be a networking expert? If so, focus your masters on networking in general and do research on a sub-specialty or related topic of interest. That paired with experience will make you marketable to a certain set of jobs. You will never be marketable to all IT jobs (nobody is).
You said earlier you didn’t want to code for a living. If so, why would you want to do a master degree in programming?