Hello everyone, I’ve been in the cyber defense field for 4+ years. All I have is my high school degree, and I think its time for me to pursue a B.S. The problems is I am torn between Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Honestly I don’t want to major in Computer Science though, for the reason I want something new. I feel like I may be limited with the Computer Science degree, and have to continue with the things I do now, or get a coding job. A friend told me I may be burnt out on computer tasks etc.
Now, there is a lot government contractors where I live, and looking at electrical engineering jobs, they sound very cool. The only thing that tells me going into electrical engineering is bad for me, is because I have certifications like A+, Secruity+, CEH, and ECSA. Which I feel all goes to waste if I major in electrical engineering. I am 24 years old, and have no clue what to do right now.
I will need one, one day. Lets say I move to another area without a degree. My current employee may know what I can do, but not other people. A lot of jobs say required B.S. Even though I have a job that requires a degree, and my knowledge and skills speak for me. I got my current job years ago through connections. This won’t happen if I move, or even want to switch employers in my city.
I don’t see what EE will do for you, and CS is one of the most flexible technical degrees out there as far as being able to work on different applications. When you say you don’t want to stay in the computer field forever, what else is it you want to do? For example, do you want to stay in cyber-security?
i would suggest that you choose a major based on your enthusiasm for the material. Don’t worry about your certifications and whether they count or not. If you want engineering (which is a fine choice with lots of opportunities after graduation), then you need to make sure you are prepared to do the math and physics foundational work. If you want to ease into it while still working, start at a Community College and take Calculus and physics to get started, then transfer into a 4-yeaer school.
As for the specific field, Electrical Engineering is good, so is Computer Engineering which is a mix of EE and CS. Don’t worry about closing doors to programming jobs later since many engineers from EE and CPE move into programming jobs (as do Physics and Applied Mathematics majors). Note that I am making a distinction between programming and Computer Science, which is much more than just programming.
Simba, for some reason I want to work on the hardware aspect of things now. Looking at some electrical engineering jobs in my city. Their are laser systems, middle defense, optics, radar systems, NASA, Boeing, Lockheed, which those are helping with the new space programs. All require a electrical, mechanical, or aerospace engineering degree. The jobs sound so cool to be apart of in the future. Honestly I could move up in the future in cyber security and work for one of those companies, but I honestly feel it won’t have the same affect. I’m just so deep in what I do now, and where I’m at, starting over feels like a bad idea.
Xraymancs, I was thinking about enrolling in a community college and start taking my math & physics. I really want to leave the computer/programming field and go full blown hardware. Electrical engineering is calling my name.