[Tubbs13]

Hey guys

So im looking to start a career change. Ive been a welder for the past 6 years and dabbled with IT security for a while and now looking into going to school for it. My interests are vehicle security and mobile security. Ive been looking around and it seems to me the best place to start is with a sys admin degree. Ive also been planning ahead and looking into software engineering for a B.S. My question to you guys is am i on the right track? And how would i go about Emphising in either one of my intrests? should i look into Certs or should i look into a security degree instead of a Engineering degree?

(PS: Flame me if youd like but Id like to know which direction i should be looking in)

[Inori]

Don't see why anyone would flame you, it's a perfectly good question.

I think you're on the right track with a sysadmin degree if you're interested in automotive-grade Linux or anything of that caliber. I haven't done much looking since I'm not all that interested in auto, but there's definitely some certs out there that you can get in addition to whatever degree you pursue.

[Tubbs13]

Thanks. Do you think a software engineering degree would help or do you think I should just focus on security and then purse certs? Either way I'll pursue certs just don't know which degree will help me more towards the automotive side of things

[Imagined Self]

What kind of welding do you do? I'm a welder too that is on a career change. But I have no specific goal yet chosen....

[mothered]

Do you think a software engineering degree would help or do you think I should just focus on security and then purse certs?  

Do an In depth research on both and note down the pros and cons.

Weigh up the options thereafter, and match them with the path you're personally looking to pursue.

[Imagined Self]

Id avoid the degree... but thats me after being chewed up in the educational system for the last 8 years... If I could do things again, Id go to a technical or private, like MIT for specific degree program... (like what I did when I went to welding school.) it kinda is a combination of getting certs and a degree in a vast general but in depth focus of information.

Like when I wanted to learn to weld, Instead of taking a two year college degree, or to then a four year, I went to an accelerated pace private but accredited technical college and got in and out in 9 months, making 25 $ / hr and my 70$ / day per diem... I had only, small shop welding experience till then, I was then thrown into the realm of heavy industrial construction, working for Duke Power, Koch Bros, DuPont, Wanzek, Qci, DZ Atlantic... so refinery, chemical, bio diesel, ethanol, alcohol, coal, natural gas, even nuclear sites. The training I received on the job training ... out matched anything I would have done in a college relating to the field work itself.

Define what you want to become,... or do... and find the company now, that you target to work for, and see what you NEED then ... to be a best candidate to get in the work field as fast as possible, then get that schooling, whether it be a 4 year technical or a broad degree in CS?

[Aloo888]

Not sure if you're in the US but now is a great time to get into IT Security. Lots of companies taking people with little experience due to the job shortage + Many IT Security jobs opening up. It might be shitty from the jump, but it'll be worth it in the long run once you move on.

[magiccat]

Hey OP how did things turn out? I'm switching from a businessd degree to a CS degree. Its better to start now than a year later