Computer Programmer vs Network Administrator?

[Infidelity]

I'm going back to school this spring and I'm thinking what should I pick between the two?

I'm really good with computers on both software and hardware. Though, it favors on the hardware side.

Pro's or con's between the two A.S. degree? Thanks in advance!

[sandmangeck]

go for your bs

[RosieB]

Originally Posted by sandmangeck

go for your bs

+1

That's what I'm finding out. Started with a web programming certificate program, changing to an AS in software development, and most internship companies have indicated that I should continue on and get a BS at least. Even though I have a Bachelor's in MIS.

If you like the hardware end better, go for that one. There are jobs out there for both.

[L-A]

Whatever motivates you most. If you're a hardware guy, go for that.

Your thriving in the software field is entirely dependent on how hard and well you'll be able to act. If you are talented, or you're a talented learner with enough interest, then there are wonderful times waiting for people like you in software dev & engineering. There is no union mentality to be found here; your worth is the worth of what you can do.

[Infidelity]

I'm going for my B.S. and just wondering what can be the con's and pro's of the two. Thanks for the advice!

Originally Posted by L-A

Whatever motivates you most. If you're a hardware guy, go for that.

Your thriving in the software field is entirely dependent on how hard and well you'll be able to act. If you are talented, or you're a talented learner with enough interest, then there are wonderful times waiting for people like you in software dev & engineering. There is no union mentality to be found here; your worth is the worth of what you can do.

The second paragraph is like the description of me. I'm thinking big mostly for now doing networking and being able to code(really good). That's why I thought of doing A.S. in Computer Programming and transferring to a Database Admin or something along that line.

[busta_bird]

You'll find more programming jobs compared to networking. With programming you have the chance to possibly work at home. If you ever wanted to teach, you'll have a more broad teaching depth. You'll also be sitting behind a desk all day. I'm a network engineer and would never look back. I'm not a creative person by trait either, and a good software developer needs to be. You'll be fine either way, but programming might be a better way to go. Either way, a good person in either field needs skills in both.

[Pilgrim]

Not everybody needs a programmer, but almost all businesses of any size need network admins.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Programmers are people who do work.

Network administrators are people who kick up a fuss if you ask them anything.

IME at least!

[MonetBass]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Programmers are people who do work.

Network administrators are people who kick up a fuss if you ask them anything.

IME at least!

Haha! Fairly true.

[L-A]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Not everybody needs a programmer, but almost all businesses of any size need network admins.

That was kind of the point of my previous post, though. Filling a "need" position is very different from being wanted somewhere – a good coder is often hired from a desire to have him (or her) on the team. I understand the security behind a "need" job, but filling your schedule with demands from people who want *your* work is extremely motivating, and this in turn helps fill your portfolio with valuable productions.

My knowledge is more relevant to the West coast and startup mentality (basically, product development and not service providing), but by this experience, it's how high-level coders – most qualify for being called software engineers – can thrive instead of work.

[fdeck]

Actually, many businesses need programmers, because they depend on custom or specialized software. A lot of this software is hidden in the inner workings of the business.

But if the OP is interested in programming in hardware, why not... both? Consider a career in embedded systems, and learn to design your own cool hardware.

[warnergt]

Network admins are used by many companies but they are
also abundant. Coming up to speed as a network admin is
much easier/faster than coming up to speed as a programmer
(why net admins are abundant).

Good programmers are hard to find. Consequently, they can
demand good money. Conversely, it's a job that can often be
outsourced to an overseas location. You have to be really good
to make the good money and keep your job.

[A-train]

My advice is to go with what your beyter at and will like doinh for the long haul.I just finished my A.S in computer networking and I enjoy it alot. I got a great job right away and find that there is a demand for IT people in general. If your good at what you do be it hardware or software the jobs are out there and you'll be in demand. I am currently working toward my B.S and hopefully can get a cert or two along the way. Good luck!........p.s I am always happy to help my coworkers no matter what silly thing they've done to their desktop....delete the network adapter, add a virus, remove their print driver etc....

[warnergt]

Originally Posted by fdeck

...Consider a career in embedded systems...

That's been paying my bills for 30 years.

And consider programming Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) --
one type of embedded processors. A BSEE helps a lot here
with the necessary theoretical background. I can tell you that
programming for video (compression/decompression) is a
pretty hot field right now.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by warnergt

That's been paying my bills for 30 years.

And consider programming Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) --
one type of embedded processors. A BSEE helps a lot here
with the necessary theoretical background. I can tell you that
programming for video (compression/decompression) is a
pretty hot field right now.

It's never been my main line of work, but I've been interested in electronics since middle school, and was blessed with exposure to microprocessors in the early 80's thanks to my physics profs and summer internships.

Those were wild times. Nobody knew what was in store for the future. The computer science majors did all of their work at mainframe terminals. A few geeks in the math and physics departments got together and learned the inner workings of microcomputers. The irony.

My embedded systems work has been limited to writing small programs for microcontrollers -- 8051 and PIC -- but the power of being able to design "smart" electronics on my own has enabled the work that I did in physics, and later in a couple of industry jobs.

When I moved to Madison, I went to work for a company that was one of the true pioneers of DSP:

The story of How Nicolet got started

When I moved a project into a empty room in one of our buildings, an older engineer told me: "This is where we used to thread the core memories for the Nicolet computer."

[Infidelity]

Thanks for the advice and information. I'll definitely look into it but for now I think I'll start on Computer Programming for my A.S. and see what's up after that.

[gdthomas]

Look at doubling up on classes and getting an A.S in both, When I was doing this a lot of the classes would count towards the other as electives.

[LiquidMidnight]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Programmers are people who do work.

Network administrators are people who kick up a fuss if you ask them anything, because they're annoyed at how they have to fix your screw up.

IME at least!

I augmented it for ya.

I worked in IT a long time ago, but that world has passed me by. I always thought I'd enjoy being a programmer, because I love logic, and I've always enjoyed things like Excel macros and what not. However, I went into a much different career field and I'm happy with where I'm going.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by LiquidMidnight

I augmented it for ya.

I worked in IT a long time ago, but that world has passed me by. I always thought I'd enjoy being a programmer, because I love logic, and I've always enjoyed things like Excel macros and what not. However, I went into a much different career field and I'm happy with where I'm going.

-Your email no longer works because we needed to change the address, even though the previous one was the one registered to you in all the paper work. Oh, and sorry for not telling you about that.

-Drivers for your new PC? We just installed Windows XP on your Windows 7 machine (when the PC came in, before anyone else got a chance to touch it), why ever would you want a PC that works?

-We deleted your network space, sorry, thought your directory was something else. No, we don't have a backup.

-You were moved office? Why did you expect us to turn on the network ports in the new office?

-Your internet doesn't work because you haven't used it since this morning.

etc. etc.

Just some of the things that have happened to me in the past couple years.

Oh, and can't forget what happens when you have a problem:

-Call IT "My email isn't working anymore"
-They reply "You need to email us so we can create a support ticket"
- Me "I don't have a working email address"
- Them "You'll have to come over here in person"
- Go over to see them, ring the bell on the door, nobody answers. Five minutes or so later, a member of their staff walks in, so I follow them in. Apparently they were too busy watching youtube videos to answer the door. They then tell me I should email or phone them . . . finally convince them to look into it, and they say they'll email me when my email is working again (ended up going back to them a few days later for them to tell me they had deleted my email address and that I should be using a new one, against what all of the administration and other paperwork said)

A mate of mine works there now, so I can use him now if I ever have any issues!

They are particularly bad at my uni !

[/grumble]

[emilycook]

You should go for a BS in Computer Science degree from a good, accredited college. That way you won’t need to make a choice that you can’t return from, and it’ll get your foot in a lot of doors. Why I say you won’t have to make a choice for life is because CS degrees provide instruction in programming, networking, databases, information system security, computer servicing, server administration, etc. At the same time, some colleges allow you to choose an emphasis that is neither programming or networking, which means that you would learn about both.