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As an IT professional, I can tell you that IT is a huge and exciting field. It is one of those fields where what you learned in college most likely will not be as important as your ability to constantly learn on the job. There are plenty of areas in IT where a CIS (computer information systems) degree might be more valuable than a CS degree, and vice versa. But the most important thing is to make sure you stay current in your field, keeping up with new technology and industry standards. A mindset of lifelong learning is very important in the tech industry.
We never really stop learning and if people think they can just stop should stop their job, for example a doctor in our area still has the misconception about cholesterol and how eggs are back for you and made me limit my egg intake to 1 a day, now with a younger doctor I asked him the same thing which he was in the same field as the older doctor said "Oh dont listen to her shes not up to date with the current education system, you can eat as much eggs as you want just be mindful of your calorie intake since eggs are high in calories," and followed up with saying "Oh and cholesterol its actually better to have higher cholesterol than to have too little cholesterol for heart issues"
I started my tech education with a year of studying Python. It was a nightmare for me. I hated myself and my life for a year. After that I started studying Linux, networking, servers and databases, and I absolutely fell in love with it. I was the happiest when I could study for 10 hours a day. I think it's all about preferences and what interests you.
People also thinks that IT is all about programming/developing/software. Nope. It does not limit to that. Its very versatile. Lots of IT jobs are out there does not code at all. Tho if its college you really have to do programming lol
@@daghetto101 And besides jobs that don't require coding at all, there even more of them which require just basics of Python, nothing near required coding skills of developer.
@@daghetto101thats why its perfect for 4 year degree programs. You are experimenting to see which areas u want to focus on in tech. Then the masters tend to be where people specialize.
Great information! My background is a lot similar to yours...I started out as a CS major but hated coding and was not the best at stats. Switched into Computer information Systems as thats what many of my non-coder minded peers were doing right after getting my Associates of Science. The next 2.5 years that it took me to finish the degree still involved a bit of coding unfortunately but also a lot of fun classes like Digital Business Media and Intro to cybersecurity. I got a job out of college as a Data Engineer and it was so rough, I got layed off within 3 months. I just didnt know data engineering was going to be heap ton of coding like that. Now, I had a friend offer me the exam voucher for the ISC^2 cc exam and im going to be taking it this month. Im hoping this will get my foot in the door of cybersecurity.
only reason i’m in school is for meeting people, networking easier, doing internships to test out jobs i previously wanted or still want to do when i finish but i will say if u can learn by yourself then u should bc the quality of coursework out there for cheap is so so much better than what you’ll get at school which is sometimes outdated or jus dull
I'm really happy with my college's IT program, it's super hands on. I've been working with Splunk, metasploit, cisco, python, wireshark, participating in CTFs. The highest level math I had to do was 107, our final project was calculating a mortgage lmao. This is almost more of a vocational program than an academic program
@@Just.navarro-TheLAking It was basically 101 but with more practical application. The actual math was barely algebra with just a hint of statistics. If you're in the US and you want an easy way into tech without all the math, I'd recommend doing an IT AAS at your local community college, getting certs while you're there, then getting a 6 month bachelors from WGU
I am a CS graduate, did a few years of programming, went to hardware then networking, to servers, virtualization, to infrastructure, to cloud, etc...it's a never ending learning. Did my CS degree help me in anyway? The answer is "YES". I helped me get my foot in the door and after that it's history. I am happy with all my knowledge learned from the past 36 years. Thank you for sharing Sandra.
I feel like an IT degree for your AS isn't a bad idea when you're just getting started on the helpdesk. However, you should pick a specialization for your BS like cyber security and network engineering or software engineering.
Too late, I already picked the easy IT Degree. But I’ll be coming from the Space Force, and managing space system operators and space analysts, I don’t anticipate having much trouble finding a job.
UPDATE: Still haven’t found something. But my new plan is this: I’ll probably switch to another industry that has a better chance of landing a job. I’ll still practice cybersecurity, but maybe I won’t be able to land a job right off the bat. Still, I won’t let up. And you shouldn’t either 👊 Seems like things worked out well for you. I got two degrees: a cybersecurity degree and an information systems degree. I even had 2 years in basic IT hardware and software experience. You were able to at least land a cybersecurity entry level position. I couldn’t even get an internship. I’ve literally applied to about 200 IT/cybersecurity jobs and have been rejected/ghosted by all of them. Funny how that works out huh? 😂 And to anyone who reads this: don’t let this bum you out. I’m not, and I’ll keep being tenacious and keep applying. I have no idea how I’m going to do this. Never did I think it would be this difficult to land a job but oh well
Its about networking king - to submit a resume and get a response will always be a gamble. Try to Work in not for profit/charity organizations for a year and build your database of people and not just IT people!! The best choice I made in my professional development was to befriend HR; as they have been able to recommend me to different business where they have an existing network. I wish it was as simple as best candidate gets the job but it isn't its social orientated - at least in my small experience
@aking4974 crazy to think a resume and interview skills would stop a company from hiring a good worker. It happens to me as well. I ebd uo getting work from owners who like my work ethic and are blown away by my work. Its funny watching all these big conspires hire bums that tbey regret because they aced an interview.
I'm in the same boat I got an ITS degree from Mississippi and that thing was a joke, it is the easiest degree and many students graduating from that program cant tell a server from a laptop. So, i got a BA in computer science from Thomas Edison state college, and went on to a Masters of Science in CS, after completing my masters then I got my job as a senior cyber security analyst. Not making the big money tho LOL.
@@raskult Im making 81k I work for the state though. Also im trying to get into a PHD program loan forgiveness will pay off the entire 300K. I owe 7 more years.
@@SavageScientist the stupid college system is a sham why is it that expensive, and with inflation 81k idk if that can raise a family aside from debt the economy is terrible
i don't know what you mean that software engineers aren't using data structures every day on the job. That's all software engineering is..... data structures are the currency of software engineering. and algorithms.
Amazing video and even at the surface I can't see the practicality of the IT degree thus why I chose the cyber sec route. I did try the CS at SNHU but man they taught the fundamentals of it, I couldn't grasp it but years later I'm in Angela Yu's full stack bootcamp now 😎💪🏿🔨
So you are only in Cybersecurity because you have had qualifications for it, it doesnt entirely interest you and you would rather do Data Science if you could? I think it is not too late for you to pivot. I am asking because it is a choice for me too. I feel like cybersecurity would be genuinely more interesting to men in a long term, not just initial years of curiosity.
Don't listen to her. If u wanna have good and solid knowledge and understanding of technology and wanna grow within the company. U need a diploma. It's required for promotion. I'm in IT I know it
Hey i gotta ask man because im thinking of getting a associates in IT i don't know if there many fields in IT but im just planning it. You have any advice regarding me only getting a associates?
@NeroApollo academic education and knowledge has more value over 6 months courses. So go for it. Bachelor's should be good enough. U don't need a diploma if u wanna stay as a developer all your life and small guy. Doing all the tasks. But if u wanna grow professionally in corp world u definitely need a academic diploma. Don't listen this fake gurus.
I wish i was a computer science major. But unfortunately my local university only offers software engineer, but i read you can still get in the field with that. Although I am jealous she only had to take up to Cal II, I have to take Cal III and differential equations. I'm taking differential equations now, and it's effing hard
@@professionalpainthuffer industry connections are definitely advantageous but my point is that there is 0 knowledge which cannot be attained online for free, and if you love learning/writing code you will be doing so of your own accord anyway. Also I don't think colleges give a very well rounded education considering many students take programming bootcamps after graduating because they have a bunch of theoretical knowledge with little practise implementing it.
@@professionalpainthuffer but the gazillion things of which you speak can all be learned for free, so I think a refusal to pay for them is actually quite a healthy and reasonable attitude. And the fact that this clearly angers you and the other commenter speaks volumes about your attitudes, not mine.
I mean ask your self this, two guys have the same experience but one has a degree, do your really think they gonna choose the guy with no degree? A degree matters, it might not teach you a lot but it will make things ten time easier.
@@w9s992they're gonna choose the guy with the strongest technical/people skills. there are plenty of self taught engineers working FAANG companies and it's definitely not because they couldn't find anybody with a degree.
I'm a weird case in that I have a BA in Mathematics and am doing an MSc in IT (not Maths or Comp Sci) nearly solely because of the problems I have with both coding and advanced proof-based maths classes.
It's not really limiting you because you technically can go through bootcamps and learn other tech fields. Sure maybe you missed out on Statistics(which is very important for data science, ML)
Need Advice! I`m 44 years old. I graduated with a Business Degree and have a Masters in Education. I`m teaching for the last 17 yrs, but desperately wanting a career switch into Business/IT Management/Healthcare/Supply Chain career. Should I go straight into the Competency Based learning such as: MBA in IT in WGU or take Competency Fast Track Bachelor`s in Project Management in UMPI or UMASSGlobal? Any suggestion is welcome! Thanks!
hey thanks for watching! I'm not sure if going straight into MBA would help you break into IT, unless you're looking for a management role, you should be focusing on getting the hands on skills which some degree programs or bootcamps can provide, but it sounds like you're not looking for an IT help desk type role and the others you've listed are pretty broad, I'd start with choosing one of those tracks and seeing what credentials are needed for them. WGU is a popular online degree option and I'd probably choose that over the others, I'm unfamiliar with UMPI or UMASGlobal. Best of luck to you!
Hello, I'm 18 and I've decided to take an IT course. I plan in finishing my 4 year course there, then after that I'll try to take cybersec after if I still can. What do you think about this? and is information technology still viable? is this career future proof or am I going to lose my job due to innovation and ai?
Hi guys, would anybody like to give me any advice, I am open-minded. I just started my AA in CS and I'm in my first semester, meaning I have time to switch if I wanted to. So I've been going back-and-forth whether I should pursue CS or IT. I do know CS is hard because of some of their courses, especially coding, but I can say I chose computer science for that reason in specific. I would like to learn coding and my goal is to do 4 years and as I'm entering my third and fourth year, I want to minor in cyber security. Keep in mind I am new to the tech world and because of that, I'm sure many will probably steer me towards IT. All in all I just want to hear advice from people who already graduated in either degree or if they switched, why.. Also, a lot of future job interest that I have written down require either a CS or IT degree. I wonder if the pay would be different for the same job if I had a IT degree instead of a CS. Thanks to anyone in advance if you reply! update: just watch the video and I think the answer is a bit clear for me. But I'm still open to listening to calls experience
I really like this video! you are beautiful and did a good job explaining your experience. I'm pursuing an IT degree only because the military is paying me too lol no shame no game 💯
I'm glad you made this video. I appreciate your honesty. You're right that many, if not most, of the people in IS/IT majors are there because they couldn't handle computer science. IS/IT really screams "I wanna work in tech, but I'm not smart enough for Computer Science". Subscribed. However, i find that it's not because "they don't want to go through the math requirements". it's usually because they took the core CS classes and couldn't pass them. I know someone who couldn't even last a month in intro to CS!
I am in it because I prefer learning about infrastructure and the hardware which is more interesting to me than being a code monkey. I dislike programming and CS. I switched from accounting to IT.
Not just that, some people such as myself simply aren’t interested in coding even though I’ve done it and passed classes. You really got to like it enough to have the patience of doing it all day.
Thanks for watching! :) More resources below:
💻 My Cyber Security Career Resources: withsandra.square.site/
📔 My Cyber Security Course: your-cybersecurity-journey.teachable.com/
👯 Join our Discord :D - discord.gg/2YZUVbbpr9
👩💻 Support the Channel on Patreon: www.patreon.com/withsandra
I have no idea what she’s talking about
As an IT professional, I can tell you that IT is a huge and exciting field. It is one of those fields where what you learned in college most likely will not be as important as your ability to constantly learn on the job. There are plenty of areas in IT where a CIS (computer information systems) degree might be more valuable than a CS degree, and vice versa. But the most important thing is to make sure you stay current in your field, keeping up with new technology and industry standards. A mindset of lifelong learning is very important in the tech industry.
We never really stop learning and if people think they can just stop should stop their job, for example a doctor in our area still has the misconception about cholesterol and how eggs are back for you and made me limit my egg intake to 1 a day, now with a younger doctor I asked him the same thing which he was in the same field as the older doctor said "Oh dont listen to her shes not up to date with the current education system, you can eat as much eggs as you want just be mindful of your calorie intake since eggs are high in calories," and followed up with saying "Oh and cholesterol its actually better to have higher cholesterol than to have too little cholesterol for heart issues"
I absolutely agree - lifelong learning is crucial in the tech industry, especially in IT and CS, where things are constantly evolving.
I started my tech education with a year of studying Python. It was a nightmare for me. I hated myself and my life for a year. After that I started studying Linux, networking, servers and databases, and I absolutely fell in love with it. I was the happiest when I could study for 10 hours a day. I think it's all about preferences and what interests you.
People also thinks that IT is all about programming/developing/software.
Nope. It does not limit to that. Its very versatile. Lots of IT jobs are out there does not code at all.
Tho if its college you really have to do programming lol
@@daghetto101 And besides jobs that don't require coding at all, there even more of them which require just basics of Python, nothing near required coding skills of developer.
@@daghetto101thats why its perfect for 4 year degree programs. You are experimenting to see which areas u want to focus on in tech. Then the masters tend to be where people specialize.
Great information! My background is a lot similar to yours...I started out as a CS major but hated coding and was not the best at stats. Switched into Computer information Systems as thats what many of my non-coder minded peers were doing right after getting my Associates of Science. The next 2.5 years that it took me to finish the degree still involved a bit of coding unfortunately but also a lot of fun classes like Digital Business Media and Intro to cybersecurity.
I got a job out of college as a Data Engineer and it was so rough, I got layed off within 3 months. I just didnt know data engineering was going to be heap ton of coding like that. Now, I had a friend offer me the exam voucher for the ISC^2 cc exam and im going to be taking it this month. Im hoping this will get my foot in the door of cybersecurity.
Update bro?
only reason i’m in school is for meeting people, networking easier, doing internships to test out jobs i previously wanted or still want to do when i finish but i will say if u can learn by yourself then u should bc the quality of coursework out there for cheap is so so much better than what you’ll get at school which is sometimes outdated or jus dull
I'm really happy with my college's IT program, it's super hands on. I've been working with Splunk, metasploit, cisco, python, wireshark, participating in CTFs.
The highest level math I had to do was 107, our final project was calculating a mortgage lmao. This is almost more of a vocational program than an academic program
What program did you go too?
What math is 107? Idk I’m in high school
@@Just.navarro-TheLAking It was basically 101 but with more practical application. The actual math was barely algebra with just a hint of statistics.
If you're in the US and you want an easy way into tech without all the math, I'd recommend doing an IT AAS at your local community college, getting certs while you're there, then getting a 6 month bachelors from WGU
same in mine we had to use Wireshark and we also used Nmap but we also did python and bash.
I am a CS graduate, did a few years of programming, went to hardware then networking, to servers, virtualization, to infrastructure, to cloud, etc...it's a never ending learning. Did my CS degree help me in anyway? The answer is "YES". I helped me get my foot in the door and after that it's history. I am happy with all my knowledge learned from the past 36 years. Thank you for sharing Sandra.
You could do the same with certain IT degrees correct? I wondered since IT curriculum vary by college.
I feel like an IT degree for your AS isn't a bad idea when you're just getting started on the helpdesk. However, you should pick a specialization for your BS like cyber security and network engineering or software engineering.
I Disagree. Generalize in the bachelors since its the longest degree and specialize in a master's if you get that far.
Too late, I already picked the easy IT Degree. But I’ll be coming from the Space Force, and managing space system operators and space analysts, I don’t anticipate having much trouble finding a job.
Yo same here. AD AF… did you end up finding something?
UPDATE: Still haven’t found something. But my new plan is this: I’ll probably switch to another industry that has a better chance of landing a job. I’ll still practice cybersecurity, but maybe I won’t be able to land a job right off the bat. Still, I won’t let up. And you shouldn’t either 👊
Seems like things worked out well for you. I got two degrees: a cybersecurity degree and an information systems degree. I even had 2 years in basic IT hardware and software experience. You were able to at least land a cybersecurity entry level position. I couldn’t even get an internship. I’ve literally applied to about 200 IT/cybersecurity jobs and have been rejected/ghosted by all of them. Funny how that works out huh? 😂
And to anyone who reads this: don’t let this bum you out. I’m not, and I’ll keep being tenacious and keep applying. I have no idea how I’m going to do this. Never did I think it would be this difficult to land a job but oh well
Dawg
think its your resume?
Has to be your resume or interview skills you should be making bank rn man…
Its about networking king - to submit a resume and get a response will always be a gamble. Try to Work in not for profit/charity organizations for a year and build your database of people and not just IT people!! The best choice I made in my professional development was to befriend HR; as they have been able to recommend me to different business where they have an existing network. I wish it was as simple as best candidate gets the job but it isn't its social orientated - at least in my small experience
@aking4974 crazy to think a resume and interview skills would stop a company from hiring a good worker. It happens to me as well. I ebd uo getting work from owners who like my work ethic and are blown away by my work. Its funny watching all these big conspires hire bums that tbey regret because they aced an interview.
In penn state university, IT bachelor degree costs more than $150k... /facepalm
O na
I'm in the same boat I got an ITS degree from Mississippi and that thing was a joke, it is the easiest degree and many students graduating from that program cant tell a server from a laptop. So, i got a BA in computer science from Thomas Edison state college, and went on to a Masters of Science in CS, after completing my masters then I got my job as a senior cyber security analyst. Not making the big money tho LOL.
Dang how much per year? Masters degree is a whole 8 years O_O
@@raskult Im making 81k I work for the state though. Also im trying to get into a PHD program loan forgiveness will pay off the entire 300K. I owe 7 more years.
@@SavageScientist the stupid college system is a sham why is it that expensive, and with inflation 81k idk if that can raise a family aside from debt the economy is terrible
Great job mate. Me personally, I will not get a master’s degree unless my employer helps me pay for it
@@raskultit's not a sham. He could have worked for the private sector and make much more.
i don't know what you mean that software engineers aren't using data structures every day on the job. That's all software engineering is..... data structures are the currency of software engineering. and algorithms.
Amazing video and even at the surface I can't see the practicality of the IT degree thus why I chose the cyber sec route. I did try the CS at SNHU but man they taught the fundamentals of it, I couldn't grasp it but years later I'm in Angela Yu's full stack bootcamp now 😎💪🏿🔨
IT degrees can like criminal justice degree. RUclips can teach you IT fundamentals in my opinion.
You ate right about that. I seen that Criminal Justice degree all over the army
So is ist degree a little better
So you are only in Cybersecurity because you have had qualifications for it, it doesnt entirely interest you and you would rather do Data Science if you could? I think it is not too late for you to pivot. I am asking because it is a choice for me too. I feel like cybersecurity would be genuinely more interesting to men in a long term, not just initial years of curiosity.
Another misleading vid
How
Don't listen to her. If u wanna have good and solid knowledge and understanding of technology and wanna grow within the company. U need a diploma. It's required for promotion. I'm in IT I know it
Facts
Hey i gotta ask man because im thinking of getting a associates in IT i don't know if there many fields in IT but im just planning it. You have any advice regarding me only getting a associates?
@NeroApollo academic education and knowledge has more value over 6 months courses. So go for it. Bachelor's should be good enough.
U don't need a diploma if u wanna stay as a developer all your life and small guy. Doing all the tasks. But if u wanna grow professionally in corp world u definitely need a academic diploma. Don't listen this fake gurus.
I wish i was a computer science major. But unfortunately my local university only offers software engineer, but i read you can still get in the field with that. Although I am jealous she only had to take up to Cal II, I have to take Cal III and differential equations. I'm taking differential equations now, and it's effing hard
I just dropped my CSC 118 course. I'm changing majors also!
Spend 50k on classes about smashing the patriarch, or consult tutorials and technical documentation online for free. No brainer.
@@professionalpainthuffer industry connections are definitely advantageous but my point is that there is 0 knowledge which cannot be attained online for free, and if you love learning/writing code you will be doing so of your own accord anyway. Also I don't think colleges give a very well rounded education considering many students take programming bootcamps after graduating because they have a bunch of theoretical knowledge with little practise implementing it.
You're exactly the reason we say STEM students should be required to take some humanities classes because the unfounded arrogance is hilarious.
@@professionalpainthuffer but the gazillion things of which you speak can all be learned for free, so I think a refusal to pay for them is actually quite a healthy and reasonable attitude. And the fact that this clearly angers you and the other commenter speaks volumes about your attitudes, not mine.
I mean ask your self this, two guys have the same experience but one has a degree, do your really think they gonna choose the guy with no degree? A degree matters, it might not teach you a lot but it will make things ten time easier.
@@w9s992they're gonna choose the guy with the strongest technical/people skills. there are plenty of self taught engineers working FAANG companies and it's definitely not because they couldn't find anybody with a degree.
I'm a weird case in that I have a BA in Mathematics and am doing an MSc in IT (not Maths or Comp Sci) nearly solely because of the problems I have with both coding and advanced proof-based maths classes.
It's not really limiting you because you technically can go through bootcamps and learn other tech fields. Sure maybe you missed out on Statistics(which is very important for data science, ML)
Computer Science is superior , the technology you use in an IT major gets outdated fast
@@EndlessRay2Just curious but would an IT major teach relevant classes for like data analytics or data science?
@@UnBesoDeCristaldo not listen to rando gate keepers on the Internet
I choose CIS because the cybersecurity math requirements were crazy 😅 …certifications are a plus with this degree choose a path
Need Advice! I`m 44 years old. I graduated with a Business Degree and have a Masters in Education. I`m teaching for the last 17 yrs, but desperately wanting a career switch into Business/IT Management/Healthcare/Supply Chain career. Should I go straight into the Competency Based learning such as: MBA in IT in WGU or take Competency Fast Track Bachelor`s in Project Management in UMPI or UMASSGlobal? Any suggestion is welcome! Thanks!
hey thanks for watching! I'm not sure if going straight into MBA would help you break into IT, unless you're looking for a management role, you should be focusing on getting the hands on skills which some degree programs or bootcamps can provide, but it sounds like you're not looking for an IT help desk type role and the others you've listed are pretty broad, I'd start with choosing one of those tracks and seeing what credentials are needed for them. WGU is a popular online degree option and I'd probably choose that over the others, I'm unfamiliar with UMPI or UMASGlobal. Best of luck to you!
Would being self taught alongside the IT major help out?
Hello, I'm 18 and I've decided to take an IT course. I plan in finishing my 4 year course there, then after that I'll try to take cybersec after if I still can. What do you think about this? and is information technology still viable? is this career future proof or am I going to lose my job due to innovation and ai?
It’s future proof, IT is broad you can be the person that help maintain AI for example.
Temple as in Temple university in North Philadelphia?
Yes 😁 class of 2019!
Hi guys, would anybody like to give me any advice, I am open-minded. I just started my AA in CS and I'm in my first semester, meaning I have time to switch if I wanted to. So I've been going back-and-forth whether I should pursue CS or IT. I do know CS is hard because of some of their courses, especially coding, but I can say I chose computer science for that reason in specific. I would like to learn coding and my goal is to do 4 years and as I'm entering my third and fourth year, I want to minor in cyber security. Keep in mind I am new to the tech world and because of that, I'm sure many will probably steer me towards IT. All in all I just want to hear advice from people who already graduated in either degree or if they switched, why.. Also, a lot of future job interest that I have written down require either a CS or IT degree. I wonder if the pay would be different for the same job if I had a IT degree instead of a CS. Thanks to anyone in advance if you reply!
update: just watch the video and I think the answer is a bit clear for me. But I'm still open to listening to calls experience
I really like this video! you are beautiful and did a good job explaining your experience. I'm pursuing an IT degree only because the military is paying me too lol no shame no game 💯
What of someone coming from a non IT or CS background
Thank you for this video
I'm glad you made this video. I appreciate your honesty. You're right that many, if not most, of the people in IS/IT majors are there because they couldn't handle computer science. IS/IT really screams "I wanna work in tech, but I'm not smart enough for Computer Science". Subscribed. However, i find that it's not because "they don't want to go through the math requirements". it's usually because they took the core CS classes and couldn't pass them. I know someone who couldn't even last a month in intro to CS!
I am in it because I prefer learning about infrastructure and the hardware which is more interesting to me than being a code monkey. I dislike programming and CS. I switched from accounting to IT.
Not just that, some people such as myself simply aren’t interested in coding even though I’ve done it and passed classes. You really got to like it enough to have the patience of doing it all day.
How to make design application ?