System Administrators - College or Career?

Chicks_Hate_Me asks: "I'm a Senior in High School right now and I'm graduating soon (hopefully!) and I was wondering what the hell I should do? My teachers are all telling me I should go to college, but they don't know much about computers so they automatically assume that I wan't to be a programmer or an engineer. I want to be neither, in fact, I want to become a System Administrator. Is college really the best option? Or should I concentrate on getting certification, experience, and taking a few junior college classes on the side? I've already gotten a few job consultancy offers in the area. What has the experience been for any of you out in the tech industry? For you that went to college, did it truly help? And for you that didn't go to college, has it been harder for you to find a job? Also, if you believe that I should go to college, what should I major in? But if you think I shouldn't, what certifications would hold valuable in the future, and what kind of job positions should I take now?" The never ending question. College is a valuable experience for most, but it's also expensive and time consuming. Might that time be better spent in the job market now rather than later (current conditions notwithstanding)?

Comments

Re:My experience..

[ivan256]

If you went to college, maybe you would have learned how to spell, and how to speak english. Don't compare a shitty technical school with college. there's a difference between learning the mechanics of a trade and understanding your field of work. Instead of going to college, you tried to take a short cut. You have no idea what you missed out on, and you have a dead end career where you may get a job again, but you'll have no chance for advancement. Good job. I hope you enjoy doing manual labor and not thinking for yourself, because that's what you'll be doing for the rest of your life.

(BTW, no offence or anything, I just wanted to put some perspective on your story so the poor sap who asked the question in the first place would think twice before taking your advice.)

Re:Learn how to Learn Your Trade in College

[jedidiah]

You can same the exact things about high school. So my assertion that college is just "more of the same" is quite correct. You either will or will not develop interpersonal skills. What structured educational activities you participate in during business hours are irrelevant. The fact that you chose to engage in such structured activities for 4 or more years implies nothing about your qualifications for an IT job.