A career change?

[Jon8523]

Is it better for someone like me to go to a university to get a bachelors degree in IT, or to go a technical career institute, like I have an opportunity here at Johns Hopkins University, which doesn't get you a degree, but the hands-on experience that you will need to first of all get into the workforce, and then excel in it?
>
I am interested in Networking and possibly Network Security. By me going for a degree I would need to take many different classes in the field, such as Programming, Web Development, ect., which I have no interest in, but must take to get the degree.
>
The 25 week program offered here at JHU, is only in Networking, allowing you lots of hand-on work that will prepare me for work immediately upon completion. It is not degree related, only prepares you for taking some of the certs A+, Net+, Linux+, MCP, MCSA, MCSE. You would just get a certificate of completion from JHU.
>
Let me know what you think about which is the better way to gain experience/exposure/education w/n this field.

I have a B.S. in Environmental Studies, and currently live in the Washington D.C. metro area. Openings in IT jobs seem to be pretty good right now.

Also, should I expect to get an entry level job doing helpdesk/PC support upon completion of this course? Is this all this program would qualify me for? Lots of $$ to take the courses, so I want to have a good chance at gaining something from going this route.
>

Thanks for all your input and opinions!
:cool:

[Mark Miller]

Jon,
From my life experiences and I have had nothing to do with the IT field, go for the degree instead of a program that teaches one facet of an industry.
They can never take the degree away and in the long and probably in the short you will make lots more money.
By the way I am in my early 50's and retired so I have been there and done that. Nothing beats education.
Mark :)