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Some advice please?

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by obiwaynekenobi

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Just looking for some quick advice.. yes, I know I need to make up my own mind :)

I graduated with my A.S. in Network Administration last Thursday, and I'm now planning to get my Bachelor's. The problem is this: I have two places I could get a bachelor's, and I don't know which one would be most beneficial. Before I put the choices, let me explain what I'd "ideally" like to do someday: I'd like to be the person responsible for making the IT-related decisions for a business, and using my IT know-how to improve the business' operations. With that said, here's the choices:

1) A Bachelor's of Applied Science in Technology Management from a local community college. They offer courses in things such as "Applied Project Management", "Network Management for Information Professionals", and "Managing Information Resources and Services". The tuition would also be a hell of a lot less.

2) A Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration (Management emphasis) from the college I recieved my A.S. from. This is a generalized business degree (e.g. courses on marketing, management, finance, etc.) that doesn't include any IT-related courses. Also a lot more expensive than the other place (around 2x more expensive; it's a private institution)

I guess I'm wondering which would be a better career investment. Both of them seem to lead to what I want to do (i.e. integrate business and technology), but I'm having a hard time weighing the pros and cons of having a specific degree vs. a more generalized one.

Thanks in advance for the advice! I appreciate it!

5 replies

by black panther

If you have an idea of what career you are interested in then first find out exactly what qualifications they are looking for before you do the degree.

Some Government have strict requirements, some private only require a degree ( no matter what it is ).

If possible search the job market now, ring some companies you may be interested working for and ask.

This may help with your decision.

by obiwaynekenobi

Most of them just say a Bachelor's, and don't specifically list a discipline. That's why I'm having such a hard time deciding.. both programs will give me the business skills, but the Tech Management one integrates it with IT; the Administration one doesn't.

by cloudedyoda

I have a similar problem as you too.

I have Bachelor of Computing under my belt and completing Master of IT.

However, my career goal is actually to be on the management side, making IT decisions that will impact the business profits. I'm also curious what is the "career path" towards it.

I'm aware that it is good to take it easy and slowly and start as a programmer first. However, I'm afraid I'll get stuck there and lose sight of my ultimate goal.

Anybody who has gone through this a career path towards this goal?

by jdmercha

The 'right' career path changes all the time. The top IT jobs today are going to MBA's with little technical skills. They mange money and people. Eventually companies will fail to keep up with technology, and will swing once more towards "techies" for the top jobs.

The largest segment of IT jobs is in programming. So that is where the most opportunities are. Most mid-level managers then would be programmers. The hardware/networking tract pays less and results in fewer opportunities for moving into management.

The hottest area to get into now though is IT security.

by basenjinut

is what I'd try. I'd be looking, for each of the institutions you can enrol with, (a) the number of degrees earned - i.e. the scope of the potential competition when you all graduate; and (b) the employment record of graduates - i.e. the acceptance rate in the IT emplyment area of each degree.
Have to say, this last one is easy here in New Zealand ad each university reports annually on the positions gained by graduates, grouped by the actual qualifications.

Hope this helps.

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