How many of you good people are in the business?

[Terminal23]

By business of course I mean the IT field.I myself am a Geek wannabe...I'm going to start Devry next month and hope to have my degree in three years.I'm 38 now and will be 41 then..I hope this will not be too old to start a new career.I just love computers and all that technology involved with them.I love the hardware aspect mostly.I'm to stupid to program.Like I said I'm a geek wannabe.Oh well,born to early.

[randy48]

You're never to old http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif I retired from the army @ 38 (truck driver), with a good systems and networking background (back then were I was at, it was learn as you go). Couldn't get a job in the field without a piece of **** paper, so I went to college full-time and got a job driving a "cattle truck" for the army hauling trainees around part-time and did carpentry/remodeling work on the side. Just before I finished school (3 1/2 years with a dual BS degree CIS and BA), I got a Sys Admin job for four months and quit that for a government job, same office, same desk, a lot more bucks!

Do what you have to do to get that piece of paper, but don't think you'll learn everything in school! You'll be lucky to get the basics! Mess with machines, read these forums and when you read something interesting, try it! Pickup old junk machines and rebuilt them...make them work, the best knowledge you will get is from doing!

Good luck and remember "You can do it!"

[jamis]

I have a BS degree in 'Computers with MIS
Applications'

...essentially, a Computer Science degree with a concentration in another area (MIS, EE, Physics, Bio, ME, etc) in leu of some of my science requirements.

I'm currently a software engineer after getting my start in software QA... though don't let that fool you... I do alot of administration on our lab environments and have a small home network. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

School was quite valuable for me... it wasn't really what I learned there... it was the foot in the door. I got a great co-op position while in school in which I stayed on part time for 2.5 years while I finished my degree. This gave me a HUGE leg up over other new grads once I left school.

[RobRich]

I have an AS in Mathmatics with a concentration in Scientific Application Development, plus a minor ciriculum study in local area networking.

As for working in IT, this is a subjective area. I am a technical journalist by trade, so I guess this would more qualify as a communications-oriented profession.

Any rate, I just turned 21 years old. But you're never too old to start a new career track, assuming you have the dedication. Hope you all the best! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Catch ya' later,
Robert Richmond

[U-96]

I have a BA in Modern History.

This is of no use whatsoever for my work running an SQL database, server, webserver, writing ASP, adding up other people's money and mailing 5000 people every now and again http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[club_med]

I'm not in the business, I just come here for tech support/discussions since it's a hobby for me.

cm.

[radbasa]

I'm in the last 1 or 2 semesters for BS Computer Engineering.

It focuses more on the hardware part of computing. In that I mean digital logic, electronics, programming ROM, interfacing. Of course there's a bit of programming too. Though it's limited to a little C and a lot of assembly language. Ironically, it doesn't include PC assembly, troubleshooting, repair.

[Dokeman]

i dont have any degrees, not even a real high school diploma

I quit high school half-way through my junior year and got a GED

Then i open a computer shop and work for myself.

ohh, by the way.. im only 17

[HomeYield]

I have an internship working as IT support. The degree in school matters but what they are teaching me in my Computer Engineering courses are all theory and they are teaching nothing that I can really use. The only way I learn anything is to read and do on my own. Oh, and come here often.

[prttybean]

I have a CIS-microcomputer Specialist Associate Degree. I have to agree about the course work though. Most of the classes were interesting, but not really applicable to a real world job. I learned a lot more from my job and my own playing around.

[BBA]

I have no degree in computer BS'ing...

But I have a job in it http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[Bob The Great]

I pick rasberries!

[golfcart]

I have no degree. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif I am working on it part time due to $$$. I am in "the biz" though. I provide internet access for ~80 people at the moment, and host about 2 dozen sites. I am definately not getting rich off of it, but it is a whole lotta fun http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif I'm going Monday for my CIW(certified internet webmaster) exam. I don't think I will have a problem with it, but ya never know. I love having the ability to do what I do, even though I don't make alot of money. Would'nt give it up for anything. Just ask my last girlfriend LOL. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif I say, If you enjoy it, DO IT! that's all there is to it http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif