^ womp womp wommmmmp...

 

lmao - that foo is TAGGED!

 

I just want something different I guess... lol

 

how about IT sales?

 

i work IT in the AF, used to work with servers being the exchange guy, big wigs decided they wanted to contract out alot of things one being my job, now i am a glorified csa. Basic toubleshooting, loading images on machines, software loads, resetting passwords. Petty stuff really. Probably going to get out in 3 years, by then ill have my assosiates at least. Then use the GI Bill to pay for me to go to UT finish and get my Bachelors in Computer Science or Computer Engineering. If i just get out and get a job doing the same thing i do now i can start out at 65k right accross the hall with the contractors in the room next door lol just imagine what a degree would score me. I like being in a backshop IE Servers, Infrastructure (switches, ITNs, Routers, Crypto, and even know a tad bit with Satcom. Lots and lots of different areas you can get into. Wish i didnt get screwed and have to be a front line help desk answering phones technician when i know much more.

 

Don't put too much weight on a degree affecting your pay rate.. Not if you're talking about going into programming or IT.. (Being that you said CS, I assume that's what you mean.) Your troubleshooting and work ethic speak volumes more than a degree.. I'm a VP for Bank of America and I don't even have a bachelors or associates.. I left UTD my sophomore year in school because I had more students coming to me than visiting the professor for office hours.. Got a job and never turned back. Not knocking college but Certifications in your area of expertise would help you make more money over the course of your career if that's what you were going to do college for.

 

Blake send me your resume, my company is always looking for entry level techs that they can train from the ground up.

 

amen... never got a degree either... of course I don't work for a bank, so I don't get the pleasure of a VP title...

 

this is true when you are talking about certifications which i have my SEC+ (Security Plus) which helps out a lot with my pay and job opportunities. It also depends on what you get a degree in. Just because someone has a business degree doesnt mean someone knows about actually running a business ect. Experience trumps a degree to a certain point, that being you have the experience and a degree in a specific area to what you do not just a broad generalization like a lot of degrees are.

 

as someone that has hired many in the IT field... I would take experience over a degree/certification 100% of the time... degrees and certifications teach you theory... experience teaches you reality

 

Well I don't work for the "bank" side of it per-say.. I worked for Countrywide, and we were absorbed by Bank of America.. So I aid in building their mortgage software.. Will (waijai) is on Systems Analytics/Project Management side of the operation, determining resources, requirements etc.. I'm on the programming/management side of the operation..

There's so many avenues to go.. You've got programming, project management, Systems Analytics, Business Analytics, Quality Assurance, Hardware, Tech, Telephony, Voice Command, Networking, etc..

Hit is right on the head CSimmz..

 

Yup that is very very true.. I don't have a degree in IT, I do have a degree but its in component level electronics.

Blake if you are really serious about it I am sure Chris or myself can point you down the right path.

 

i suppose this is true, i havent applied for a job yet since i still a tad bit over 3 years commited to the miltary left, but yes i only have experience right now. My friend actually got out at his 6 year doin the same thing i do no degreee moved across the hall and started working with the contractors macking double what he did in the military so i understand experience is what is important but a degree cant hurt right?

 

The thing I think that sucks is while your military experience might get you in the door, that same fact might get you looked over for promotions.. I've had some upper level management (not at BAC) tell me that THEY believed people from the military lack certain people skills for management and higher level positions..

I don't know if that was just ignorance or a dumb a$$ generalization (I'm voting for both) but just to say, there are those lame brains that might hinder your improvement because of your military background.

 

Thats kind of backwards because the Air Force beats into our heads about professionalism, professional development, mentoring airman for the future. Hell thats all your wanted to do if your a NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) and with officers they are all in management slots, but i suppose the wreckless individuals that give the military a bad name mess it up for everyone the rest of us.