What to be when I grow up... Please help. 1

[DallasEric]

I'm new here, but there seem to be some very experienced IT people here, so I'd like to ask for some advice/opinions. My situation is this. I fell into a sys admin position two years ago. The previous sys admin got a new job, and the powers that be decided that it would be easier to teach me the computer stuff rather than hire a computer guy and teach him the specifics about our business. I basically just loaded/processed data, made sure our small 20-client/2 server network was up, and did some installations/upgrades.

Now, my position has been eliminated (company bought out), so I've moved back into a supervisory position. Now the delimma. I feel like I have more of a future in IT, but I'm not sure where to go.

I've been considering learning Java because of its power, functionality, and portability. However, I have NO programming experience - other than talking to a very experienced programmer for the past two years. My local community college offers a three-part Java course.

I have also considered networking and databases.

So, what's your opinion? Should I take the courses and learn Java? Would I be better off learning VB? Do I go for a MCSE or Cisco certification? Oracle or SQL specialization? Do I just go back to school for a BS in CS? I think I would like any of these three areas (programming, networking, databases). I'm looking for "bang for the buck" so to speak. Where's the money? Where's the future? I realize these are loaded questions, and I know the solution's not that simple. I'm just fishing for thoughts.

I have a wife and three kids, and my wife stays home, so my time is scarce.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks a lot for any replies.

Dallas

 

[dwmatteson]

Even though you're not looking at a complete career change, you might find some of the info in this article to be useful:

http://www.certmag.com/issues/jan02/feature_rowe.cfm

Hope that helps!

Don

 

[MasterRacker]

Here's some info about different areas of IT you might find helpful.

http://www.keys2it.org/

Jeff
I haven't lost my mind - I know it's backed up on tape somewhere ....

 

[LoaferMan]

They say that the best work is done from passion not occupation. If you could create some small projects for yourself at home, you would understand exactly what is involved in creating a Java project or a .NET project. The big buzzword from the past is XML, but Web Services is the new rage.

XML is essentially an agreement between multiple programmers to send text or numbers back and forth between computer programs with an agreed upon super secret code.
(Please Ignore Syntax below.)

For instance, Fred Smith could be sent over as: FirstName=Fred, LastName=Smith.

As long as both parties agree to the code names FirstName and LastName, then the information will travel effectively.

My suggestion is three fold:
1. Do some projects on your own that get you familiar with coding.
2. After you figure out which one you like, take a course in it.
3. When you can talk and listen in that new lingo, find a company that needs programmers to be managed to solve some big problem. You become the project manager for that problem. That way, you can use your supervisory skills to manage something technical, while being able to understand the programming issues the developers face.

If you don't have a job right now, work the late shift at Home Depot until you get a chance to do technical project management.

My 2 Cents. - LoaferMan LoaferMan - There is no practice life. This is it. (Billy Crockett)