"Networking" or "Programming"

Hi everyone,

This site has been very informative during my studies as an ITS(Information Technology Specialist). At this point in the course we have to choose which side of Specialist we would like to study more,programming or networking. Being a 40 week course there isn't very much time to get a complete understanding of both. Which way would you go? Which of the two sides of my course will provide the most advantages in getting a job(which is in most demand). Right now I can do basic programming, and have an above average knowlegde in networking. Once we pick the subject we want to specialize in we will learn considerably more about. What I would like to know from you is, considering all that you know right now, which subject would you conern yourself more in. Networking or Programming, what if any are the advantages/disadvantages.

Any discussion would be most helpfull. Being new to AO I wasnt sure if this was a Poll or not...

What do you like doing more? Networking or programming? Your answer then becomes mine.

A couple questions.

What (if any)certifications will you come out of this course with?

What do you mean specifically by programming? Are they going to teach you VB, java, c, c++, ??????

By networking, I assume you mean, going in depth into protocols, and hardware, as well as in depth in networking the various NOS's. Any more info you could provide about this would help us help you as well.

In order for someone to answer your questions, this info would be very helpful.

If I were you, I would go for the programming end. Only because I find that side more interesting, than the networking side. But If possible, I would do programming, and learn as much as I possibly could on my own time about networking.

I personally would not make that decision based on which would likely get me a job faster. If the generall consensus is that programming will get you a job quicker, and you go for it. Then hate it. You are kind of out of luck.

So, I would ask you,(assuming that your course covered both topics, generally), which interests >>>YOU<<<< more.

Once you have figured that out, I would go with it. There are jobs out there for both. The job market may be a bit slower today that it would have been a few months ago, but, there are jobs available(hell, my company is trying to hire another network guy now, and having trouble finding one which matches our needs). And we are often hiring new programmers as well.

Good luck

IchNiSan

What type of networking, physical or software, or both?

If its just software I would recommend going for the programming direction. I think that it would get you better understanding of OS's and how programs run.
and like stronzo said choose what you think you would like.

Ok heres some answers,

There arent any "Certs" with the course, other than the ITS cert, we write the MSCE tests whenever we feel we are able to. Each MSCE test(cost 160.00$) which I will write towards the end of the month, doesnt come with the course.

For the programming side, yes they will teach VB, C, C++, Java basically most languages.

Networking, everything/anything to do with.

The one thing I'm abit concerned about is that with only 20 weeks, will subjects being taught give me enough knowledge to proceed with a career? Is there so much information in networking or programming that in 20 weeks it wont be possible to completely grasp the information needed to be a Net Admin or a Programer? Will I learn enough from 20 weeks of lecture to be good at either? Sorry if Im abit confusing, just confused about what to do.

Quote:

---

The one thing I'm abit concerned about is that with only 20 weeks, will subjects being taught give me enough knowledge to proceed with a career? Is there so much information in networking or programming that in 20 weeks it wont be possible to completely grasp the information needed to be a Net Admin or a Programer? Will I learn enough from 20 weeks of lecture to be good at either? Sorry if Im abit confusing, just confused about what to do.

---

That all depends on how good of a teacher they are. And how good of a learner you are.

In my experience, 20 weeks could give you a decent start on Networking, but you'll need to want to continue learning in order to really get a good grasp of what's going on.

As for programming, if you're a quick enough study, it can take as little as two or three weeks to become a highly functional programmer in any language. If you enjoy programming, I'd say go with it over the networking portion. I see a lot more programming jobs available than I do networking jobs.

"Most" people who graduate as a programmer make bigger bucks. I know this forum is going to be pissed with that remark. I am in college and i have talked with almost every programmer/networker in the place and they all said programmers generally make more money.

programmers do make more money right out of the gate. But it really depends what you need to be happy. Network folk have a lot more freedom, not stuck in a desk the way most new programmers are.

programmers have more job security, are more in demand and face greater challenges.

a sensible hehbris post


puuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrfect

:smokes:

i still get negative