okay folks,

I know many of you are working in the IT/Computer sciences field. I currently have my A.A.S in Computer Electronics.

I have been working on an A.A.S in Network Engineering/Admin etcetera

I have finished all of the general studies classes wiht the exception of Accounting 201 (yuck). I mostly have the core IT courses left to go. my question to you is what route sould I go? Infrastucture? security? wireless? windows?

There are so many directions to go I am not sure which is most beneficial.

Please note I am doing this mostly because I love to learn! However I am considering a career change from ATT mobility sales.

any advice is greatly appreciated

So ... you're in an industry which isn't going anywhere; meaning it isn't going to be eliminated any time soon.

That said, what are you most interested in? For me, the single most important thing about my job (other than financially supporting me ... and at times that is almost second in the list) is that I enjoy starting the day every day.

What interests you? What are your passions? What do you want to do in 3 years, 5 years, 10 years? You need to first figure out what you enjoy and what you want to be doing ... for some reason this came really easy to me, but for most people I know, they have no clue what they want.

Figure out what you want and then I can give you some good advice

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correct hdawg

I am in an industry that isn't going anywhere it is here to stay. I am just tired of sales. Wouldn't mind transitioning to another position within ATT.

I did the Computer electronics degree because it gave me a basic networking/PC repair knowedge as well as electronics theory and circuit design. My hopes were to ultimately go into PC repair and such. Then I got a job in the wireless industry in sales and have enjoyed it very much doesn't hurt that the money has been good. However it is time for a change, not necessarily today or tomorrow .............Besides depending on course load could be severa semesters before I am ready. So I am looking again towards the IT field..............I know there are many factors that have to go into the decision as to the direction of the studies. I guess what I am trying to find out is what does the IT field need? where is it headed? I mean they offer Novell at the school still would that really be a direction i'd want to go......Isn't it slowly dying? I just want to avoid studying a system or field only to see it dead.

EZ ... I think you need to take a different approach to this. You don't really want to study for what the IT field needs now, but rather what it will need in 3-10 years ... and if you can accurately figure that out please let me know so I can make a jump.

What is it that you enjoy? What do you have a passion for? You really have to figure out what you want to be / do when you grow up

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The views expressed by me on Port3101 and its affiliated sites are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.

these are the areas of study I have to choose from

1)Network admin

2)Network engineering (windows)

3)Network Inrastructure (cisco)

4)Network security

5)Programming Not to amped by this something i wanna learn but not something I can see me doing!

any thoughts? first four are what I am really looking at. I have looked at al sorts of online info. I am more curious as to what the IT pros have to say...

Come on ... PLEASE, answer my questions

What is it that you enjoy? What do you have a passion for?

I could shoot in the dark and say security, because I don't know if that'll ever get old ... but really, anyone giving you advice without at least some input from you is going to be doing it foolishly, out of context, and without any real value.

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okay okay Hdawg

I enjoy cycling!!! coffee and running.

Seriously my interests are so varied and that is what makes this so hard.

I enjoy working with my hands, I love challenging processes, troubleshooting.
Love being presented with a problem and asked to find a solution or sometype of workaround. I enjoy working with people yet I lean more towards being an introvert. I work well in a team environment (thanks Marine Corps) and equally well on my own.

is the type stuff you want hdawg?

I have a passion for working truthfully........I hate not working even on my days off I MUST do something productive. Or I am not a happy camper

Finally, something! Granted, I was looking for more of what do you really enjoy with technology, but this is a start. What is it that you like about these things?

For example, I really like coffee ... but why? Here are some reaons:

1) It tastes good. At first, I had no desire for it. I'd put all sorts of sugar and sweetners and creams in it and it'd taste like warm nummies. Now I drink it one way; black. Its bitter, and provides an extreme flavor like so few other things ... I'm a foodie and love extreme flavors.

2) It is something that can be so overly ordinary and frankly disgusting if done wrong (every day by Dunkin Donuts IMO), but with some care and passion can be an awesome experience. ... for about the same price you end up making yourself a truly satisfying cup of happiness.

3) Its a good way to start your day ... and a good way to end your day; a multi-tasker.

Yes, I've taken this to a bit of an odd extreme, but just an example to look deeper into something to figure out what it is about what you really like. I feel like a psychiatrist here.

I enjoy working with my hands, I love challenging processes, troubleshooting.
Love being presented with a problem and asked to find a solution or sometype of workaround. I enjoy working with people yet I lean more towards being an introvert. I work well in a team environment (thanks Marine Corps) and equally well on my own.

Seems like you need to be put into a high stress, demanding position ... or an always on the go type thing where resources are scarce and problems are plentiful, and you always need to be thinking or doing something.

The last job I had like this was working at a University in an IT department. One of those things where you always had to make due with what you had. Sure you had a lot of support and assistance from others, but with being a pure cost center getting funding ever was always tough.

I'd say look at some Colleges / Universities for what openings they have and see if you can get in there. Then, once hired, most will give you either free or reduced tuition for anything you might want to go back and focus on. Double whammie there.

Hope this stirs the pot known as your brain a little.

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http://blog.port3101.org/hdawg/

The views expressed by me on Port3101 and its affiliated sites are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.

I started as a Admin and then moved into security. Once I got my clearance then I worked for the 3 letter agencies. STRESS is the word there. Now I'm back to being a CTO for a software dev company and doing BES work for them as well as clients on the side.

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