Robert Lop
Anyone currently working in either of the 2 fields, please share your job experience as well as pros and cons, starting salary, location...
Also, am I correct in saying that Computer Information Systems is more of a programming side to networking, whereas Network security doesn't entail a lot of programming knowledge, if at all?
Thanks for your help guys and gals!
Answer
Here is the basic answer. I have a CIS degree and at my school it had very few math and programming classes. It was mainly general computer systems information to prepare someone to be a Systems Administrator or Computing Security staff. Programming training was available in the Computer Science major which also included heavy hitter advanced math courses.
To give you the background on majorsâ There are a number of viable IT majors. Just figure out what you would like to do. These are all good. You need a 4 year degree. If all you have time for is a 2 year degree then that is ok for starters but you will still need to complete years 3&4. Don't get a certificate type degree or a Devry or ITT Tech degree- not recognized by many employers and credits may not transfer in the future. There are several main Computer majors and their associated career categories and you need to know these just to get the lay of the land. These degree titles are often found in Associates, Bachelors and Masters degree programs. Generally most IT employers are looking for a 4 year Bachelors degree in an IT related major as a minimum requirement. For working people some of these majors are offered by schools in night classes and we are beginning to see online or hybrid online/classroom options available. Depending on the school, a Bachelors degree in an IT field may be a BA or a BS. There does not seem to be any problems for employers with a BA or BS as long as it is a bachelors degree. If you already have a degree in another major, if you have an Associates degree or if you have a bunch or college credits and no degree you can usually find a degree completion program that will allow you to take 14-16 months of classes and graduate with a Bachelors in a computer related major.
Now some of the titles colleges use may consist of different course curriculums. As an example one school may have more programming classes in the same major while another school has fewer. Schools may call their general IT program Computer Information Technology, Computer Information Systems or Computer Information Science. To really tell what the major is about you should look at the courses that a particular school offers in that major. Another point of confusion is job titles you will see. For example, I am called a Computer Systems Engineer but I don't do anything associated with Computer Engineering. One job I had I was Systems Programmer but I did not do any programming. So the titles for majors and for jobs in IT can be very confusing. Sometimes I will hear someone say they want to pursue Computer Science or Computer Engineering and once they find out what it involves they realize that is not what they want to do. If this is old info, that you already know, apologies. Here are the majors and some associated jobs:
Computer Science (CS) - A technical degree which usually has a Programming emphasis - people with this major usually are developing application software, web development, embedded code and robotics. Sometimes depending on the college the degree may cover some more general topics as listed under CIS below. CS is a difficult major and may include a number of advanced math courses. Many CS students find themselves not enjoying programming, not being gifted at it or not having the math and logic skills to be good at programming and they will switch out into CIS. CS majors that are able to graduate can also qualify for jobs listed below under CIS.
Computer Information Systems (CIS) - This may also be called a variety of other names like Information Technology (IT), Information Systems (IS), etc. This is a general technical degree and is the degree that I have. Holders of these degree work in a variety of technical jobs like these:
Computer Technician, Service Center Coordinator, Help Desk Staff, Storage Administrator, Network Administrator, Systems Administrator, Systems Engineer, Enterprise Administrator, Active Directory Administrator, Exchange and Messaging Administrator, Backup Administrator, Disaster Recovery Specialist, Database Administrator, Computing Security Specialist, Corporate IT Acquisition Specialist and Data Center Administrator, just to name a few.
So I think either of these - Network Security or Computer Information Systems - would be good but my personal favorite is CIS as it has allowed me to work in a more varied number of jobs including Computing Security.
Here is the basic answer. I have a CIS degree and at my school it had very few math and programming classes. It was mainly general computer systems information to prepare someone to be a Systems Administrator or Computing Security staff. Programming training was available in the Computer Science major which also included heavy hitter advanced math courses.
To give you the background on majorsâ There are a number of viable IT majors. Just figure out what you would like to do. These are all good. You need a 4 year degree. If all you have time for is a 2 year degree then that is ok for starters but you will still need to complete years 3&4. Don't get a certificate type degree or a Devry or ITT Tech degree- not recognized by many employers and credits may not transfer in the future. There are several main Computer majors and their associated career categories and you need to know these just to get the lay of the land. These degree titles are often found in Associates, Bachelors and Masters degree programs. Generally most IT employers are looking for a 4 year Bachelors degree in an IT related major as a minimum requirement. For working people some of these majors are offered by schools in night classes and we are beginning to see online or hybrid online/classroom options available. Depending on the school, a Bachelors degree in an IT field may be a BA or a BS. There does not seem to be any problems for employers with a BA or BS as long as it is a bachelors degree. If you already have a degree in another major, if you have an Associates degree or if you have a bunch or college credits and no degree you can usually find a degree completion program that will allow you to take 14-16 months of classes and graduate with a Bachelors in a computer related major.
Now some of the titles colleges use may consist of different course curriculums. As an example one school may have more programming classes in the same major while another school has fewer. Schools may call their general IT program Computer Information Technology, Computer Information Systems or Computer Information Science. To really tell what the major is about you should look at the courses that a particular school offers in that major. Another point of confusion is job titles you will see. For example, I am called a Computer Systems Engineer but I don't do anything associated with Computer Engineering. One job I had I was Systems Programmer but I did not do any programming. So the titles for majors and for jobs in IT can be very confusing. Sometimes I will hear someone say they want to pursue Computer Science or Computer Engineering and once they find out what it involves they realize that is not what they want to do. If this is old info, that you already know, apologies. Here are the majors and some associated jobs:
Computer Science (CS) - A technical degree which usually has a Programming emphasis - people with this major usually are developing application software, web development, embedded code and robotics. Sometimes depending on the college the degree may cover some more general topics as listed under CIS below. CS is a difficult major and may include a number of advanced math courses. Many CS students find themselves not enjoying programming, not being gifted at it or not having the math and logic skills to be good at programming and they will switch out into CIS. CS majors that are able to graduate can also qualify for jobs listed below under CIS.
Computer Information Systems (CIS) - This may also be called a variety of other names like Information Technology (IT), Information Systems (IS), etc. This is a general technical degree and is the degree that I have. Holders of these degree work in a variety of technical jobs like these:
Computer Technician, Service Center Coordinator, Help Desk Staff, Storage Administrator, Network Administrator, Systems Administrator, Systems Engineer, Enterprise Administrator, Active Directory Administrator, Exchange and Messaging Administrator, Backup Administrator, Disaster Recovery Specialist, Database Administrator, Computing Security Specialist, Corporate IT Acquisition Specialist and Data Center Administrator, just to name a few.
So I think either of these - Network Security or Computer Information Systems - would be good but my personal favorite is CIS as it has allowed me to work in a more varied number of jobs including Computing Security.
What does a communications tech do?
E
Just curious, what do they do on a day to day basis what is a typical day like?
Answer
Individuals and businesses alike rely heavily on devices such as phones, computers and radios to communicate; therefore, telecommunications technicians are typically on call around the clock to repair any issues that might arise for their clients. These technicians earn a living installing communication equipment and wiring as well as troubleshooting problems when necessary.
Earnings
Communication technicians in the United States earned an average salary of $52,850 as of May 2010, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Techs in the 10th percentile earned less than $31,170 a year, while those in the 90th percentile earned over $72,940. The median salary of a communication technician was $54,710 annually.
Industry
Wired telecommunications carriers employed the most communication technicians as of 2010 and offered a salary average of $54,070 a year, reports the bureau. Techs working for building equipment contractors earned an average of $45,790 a year, and those working in the industry of other telecommunications earned an average of $58,770. In cable and other subscription programming, the average income of a communication technician was $50,770. In electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance, the average was $40,870.
Location
The bureau reports that the highest concentration of jobs for communication technicians was found in Alaska, which employed 2.45 techs per every 1,000 jobs and offered a salary average of $57,000 as of 2010. Communication technicians in New York earned the highest salary average in comparison with all states at $61,940 a year, while Massachusetts ranked second and Rhode Island ranked third with respective averages of $60,500 and $60,030 a year.
Outlook
The bureau expects âlittle to no changeâ in the employment rate of communication technicians between 2008 and 2018. While advancements in technology will bring about more communication services, the high quality of these services will decrease the need for maintenance. Techs who belong to unions typically receive benefits such as health, dental and life insurance as well as retirement plans and sick leave.
Read more: What Does a Communication Technician Earn? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_12017848_communication-technician-earn.html#ixzz1ZBfwq4aK
Individuals and businesses alike rely heavily on devices such as phones, computers and radios to communicate; therefore, telecommunications technicians are typically on call around the clock to repair any issues that might arise for their clients. These technicians earn a living installing communication equipment and wiring as well as troubleshooting problems when necessary.
Earnings
Communication technicians in the United States earned an average salary of $52,850 as of May 2010, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Techs in the 10th percentile earned less than $31,170 a year, while those in the 90th percentile earned over $72,940. The median salary of a communication technician was $54,710 annually.
Industry
Wired telecommunications carriers employed the most communication technicians as of 2010 and offered a salary average of $54,070 a year, reports the bureau. Techs working for building equipment contractors earned an average of $45,790 a year, and those working in the industry of other telecommunications earned an average of $58,770. In cable and other subscription programming, the average income of a communication technician was $50,770. In electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance, the average was $40,870.
Location
The bureau reports that the highest concentration of jobs for communication technicians was found in Alaska, which employed 2.45 techs per every 1,000 jobs and offered a salary average of $57,000 as of 2010. Communication technicians in New York earned the highest salary average in comparison with all states at $61,940 a year, while Massachusetts ranked second and Rhode Island ranked third with respective averages of $60,500 and $60,030 a year.
Outlook
The bureau expects âlittle to no changeâ in the employment rate of communication technicians between 2008 and 2018. While advancements in technology will bring about more communication services, the high quality of these services will decrease the need for maintenance. Techs who belong to unions typically receive benefits such as health, dental and life insurance as well as retirement plans and sick leave.
Read more: What Does a Communication Technician Earn? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_12017848_communication-technician-earn.html#ixzz1ZBfwq4aK
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