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:Learn how to Learn Your Trade in College

[jedidiah]

>> - College is an environment when you deal with
>> other adults with less control placed over you
>> than a high school environment. Those
>> interpersonal skills are key.

No they aren't. You are still in an enviroment that is focused on INDIVIDUAL achievement. A CS college graduate may be lucky to be exposed to ONE class where they were forced to interact with other students in a group enviroment. I've yet to encounter an employer that asked enough detailed questions about my college background to ascertain whether or not it implied "improved" interpersonal skills on my part.

In terms of what you are discussing, college is infact "just more of the same" relative to high school.