How to further my programming knowledge

nolanduly · July 3, 2014

Hello! I am an 18 year old who is really interested in computers. So much that I want to make a career out of it. So far I've been able to teach my self about computer parts and how to build computers, how to hook up networks and fix them, and how to troubleshoot and solve software issues on computers. The only thing I haven't learned is programming. I've tried to teach myself, but I just don't have the disapline to teach myself. So I've decided to go to a community college to learn more about computers. Now here's my question: is it worth just getting an associate degree in computer science or should I just go for a whole bunch of certificates? Which option would get me a job, it doesn't even have to be good paying as long as it has to do with computers. And finally if any of you just have certificates how good are you doing like job wise and what kind of jobs can I get with just certificates compared to just an associates in computer science?

dalekphalm · July 3, 2014

Hello! I am an 18 year old who is really interested in computers. So much that I want to make a career out of it. So far I've been able to teach my self about computer parts and how to build computers, how to hook up networks and fix them, and how to troubleshoot and solve software issues on computers. The only thing I haven't learned is programming. I've tried to teach myself, but I just don't have the disapline to teach myself. So I've decided to go to a community college to learn more about computers. Now here's my question: is it worth just getting an associate degree in computer science or should I just go for a whole bunch of certificates? Which option would get me a job, it doesn't even have to be good paying as long as it has to do with computers. And finally if any of you just have certificates how good are you doing like job wise and what kind of jobs can I get with just certificates compared to just an associates in computer science?

Full blown degrees will help you more with administrative level positions, such as Network Administrator or senior manager in the IT department.

Learning programming is kind of a huge thing, some people love it and others hate it deeply (even in the IT industry). Getting certificates is probably more helpful in the long run, but there are MANY useful certificates (Your basic like CompTIA A+, and your more advanced like Cisco CCNA or Microsoft Certified IT partners).

Also, the certificates are just basically papers that say you've passed a test. First you have to pass that test, and before you can pass the test, you need to learn the material. Many technical colleges and private schools (or even the company offering the certificate) will provide paid-for learning courses to prepare you for the specific certification. Otherwise you can take free online learning material and learn them yourself.

A degree will benefit you in that you will get your feet wet with most IT disciplines. If you take Computer Science (Or equivalent IT course in College) then you'll do a ton of programming, and a bit of everything else including networking, web design, accepted IT practices, help desk support, database design, and many more.

Taking a Degree is a good FIRST STEP as you'll come out of it with a useful degree, and you'll get an idea of what you like and what you don't like doing. From there, you can specialize with certificates or part-time/night classes at College.

shielsasaurus · July 3, 2014

Try basic HTML for making websites; It really isn't hard for the basic stuff and I'd say you could build a small 1-page website within a few hours or so. There's a lot of tutorials on the internet (please don't use w3schools.com, see here)

Nallown · July 4, 2014

Hello! I am an 18 year old who is really interested in computers. So much that I want to make a career out of it. So far I've been able to teach my self about computer parts and how to build computers, how to hook up networks and fix them, and how to troubleshoot and solve software issues on computers. The only thing I haven't learned is programming. I've tried to teach myself, but I just don't have the disapline to teach myself. So I've decided to go to a community college to learn more about computers. Now here's my question: is it worth just getting an associate degree in computer science or should I just go for a whole bunch of certificates? Which option would get me a job, it doesn't even have to be good paying as long as it has to do with computers. And finally if any of you just have certificates how good are you doing like job wise and what kind of jobs can I get with just certificates compared to just an associates in computer science?

I'd say join a programming group or, if you can then even create your own! In that group work together on projects and open source them. This would be the best practice in my opinion.