Career Advice... any HR people here? +)

[SKurj]

OK I am currently close to completion of year 2 in a 3 year diploma program "Computer Systems Technologist".

As part of the course we study all MS OS's, Novell, Visual Basic, C, java, CCNA, embedded systems(MC68HC12).

I have been a 'geek' errm for close to 20yrs and at the moment my strongest suit is Tech Support.  (tho I dislike phone support in any shape or form)

Upon graduation I am considering continuing to University (2yrs to upgrade to Bachelor of Science).  I say considering, because I am getting OOOld, if I pursue the degree I will be close to 40 by the time school is complete.

I would like to re-locate to the south western US, where there is no snow +)

Any advice as to which IT direction I should go?  Any advice as far as getting across the border? I am a British and Canadian citizen living near Toronto.  Any openings? +)

I can accept the possibility of having to put some time in up here, but if at all possible I would like to go from school to the south asap.
(no i am not running from the law+)


SKurj
Martyn D

[Krusher]

Originally posted by SKurj

I would like to re-locate to the south western US, where there is no snow +)

We just had 3 days of record setting cold some serious sleet (for us atleast) here in Dallas tx were its supposed to be warm

Anyhow Tx is the number two tech state in the country with Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and Houston being pretty hot job sectors.

Oh yea we have proffesional Hockey in Dallas, so you would have a small piece of home there also.

good luck in your career.

[CptTrips]

>I say considering, because I am getting OOOld, if I pursue the
>degree I will be close to 40 by the time school is complete.


Skurj,

I face a similar delima when I was getting out of the AirFarce and deciding if I should bother trying to finish school.

I wanted to switch from Gen Business to Computer Science.  Doing so would mean I'd almost be starting agian from scratch.  I'd be 30 before I'd be finished(which seemed old at the time lol).

I'll give you the advice my CO gave me.  

I whined that it'd take me another 3 years to finish and I'd be 30.

He asked how old would I be in 3 years if I didn't go back to school?

Well, I'd still be thirty of course.

So, he asked, isn't the real question whether you want to be 30 without a degree, or be 30 with a degree?


Regards,
Wab

[SKurj]

Heh Thanks Wab

The biggest problem with the age is that I have done absolutely no preparation for retirement whatsoever.  I do not have any pensions etc to fall back on.

With school loans etc, is it worth continuing to University.. I just don't know



SKurj

[-sudz-]

Hey Skurj,

I'd go for the degree because

a) the higher pay of a CS degree will get you toward your retirement faster in spite of the 3 year loss

b) the job opportunities for CS as opposed to technical are much more numerous so you get better job security

c) with a CS degree it's possible to work on your own and produce viewable, tangible evidence of your capabilities to aid you in getting around an experience requirement (for instance, I coded a Windows game at home to show I could do it)

d) a CS degree will give you greater flexibility to work in various industries - a must if you don't want to be stuck at a place you have to be as opposed to a place you'd like to be

Good luck, whatever you decide

-sudz

[Pongo]

I have a simular piece of paper to what you are earning now skurj, If you question was poised before you began I would have said go for the Degree.. Asking it near to completion of your current endevor I would say finish what your on....work a little with that and you will see the pros and cons of upgrading to a degree very clearly.
In canada there is little difference in salary(if any) between an associats degree(College Diploma) and a BSc...Big difference is in the flexibility of employment and how widely the BSc is recognized vs your local diploma...
Finish what you are on I say..then decide after you use it a little. Note what jobs you cannot applyone without a degree....(very few)
good luck

[SKurj]

Heyas Pongo

Yeah as far as job postings I notice they often require a diploma OR degree.  I typically assumed the degree would get first shot, however experience would come into play if the diploma also came with some experience.

My brother got in at IBM Canada with basically a fasttrack diploma(and 1 yr Experience),. He mentioned that he was considering upgrading to a degree and was told that after a couple of years with IBM he would be further ahead than if he had upgraded anyways.

Thanx for the input guys


SKurj

[mrfish]

they start hiring cs majors right of their senior year in this part of the world. $60-$90k isn't uncommon. it's not spectacular but it'll definitely pay the rent.