What should I major in Information Technology?

where are you going to school and what is your passion? Have you found a side of it you enjoy? Some sides of it to me are so damned boring, but it is so wide and varied a field.
Security is a fast growing and very important aspect that usually resides in the Networking groups.

University of Phoenix, My passion is computers, and I was leaning more towards the networking.

Controling and learning the lowest layer holds great power! If it sparks your interest go for it.
The one great thing about IT, is that it always changes. You will never be bored if you keep interest as it is always evolving.

IT is evolving on a minute-by-minute basis, so before you even decide to start, you have to ask yourself if you are ready to commit a lot of time and effort to staying on the edge and keeping your skills current. Personally, I have always loved computers but wasn’t willing to keep running just to stay in place so I kept my interest at a hobbyist level. However, if you are willing to make the commitment then more power to you, and great things await.

With HTML5 ascendant and gawd-only-knows-what going on with the IPv4—>IPv6 mess, web design might be a little dicey, but if you are the creative type or just have a lot of energy then go for it. Networking may be a bit of a clusterfuck as they just assigned the last IPv4 address and while IPv^ has been ready to go for a decade now, only about 1% of computers actually use it. Then again, the transition may lead to more work….

Databases evolve less quickly, but require some hefty skills beyond keyboard-and-console. To be good at anything database related, you need to be able to visualize vast quantities of inter-related data and the connections that turn that raw data into useful info, and it really helps if you can do it in your head. Most of the successful DB-type guys I know are Autistic, proving the old, “You don’t have to be crazy to work here, but it helps” joke to be true in some instances.

IT support…. that covers a wide range, but the first thing that pops into my head when I think “support” is spending half an hour on the phone with someone who broke the cupholder off of their PC. There are other types, but most involve dealing with people, and most of those people will have little/no idea what the hel you are talking about yet insist on having it explained ot them in terms that they can understand. While not as bad as explaining quantum physics to a four-year-old, it can be frustrating unless you really are into that sort of thing.

I hope I didn’t sound too scary there. It’s just that most people will go on about how great this or that area is without letting you know the downsides or what you are really in for. If you are the type of person who likes a challenge then you really can’t go wrong with any of them

Personally, if I had to chose amongst those for myself then I would go with databases as I like juggling data, cross-referencing things, and hate dealing with people who don’t know at least half of what I am talking about, but that may not be the right choice for you. If you claim that you are passionate about computers in general though, then there really is no wrong direction for you.

@blueiiznh That is why I am happy to be trained as an electrician. Programs tell the computer where to direct electrons, but there won’t be any electrons to direct if the lights go out. You don’t get much lower-level than that ;)

@appletea1991 I would be interested in how University of Phoenix is going for you. My impression of them is a bit shaded but cloudy.

I’d recommend database technology. A hot field is this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioinformatics

Plenty of jobs in the future. Cutting edge.

@blueiiznh It is a really good school, when I first enrolled I was a bit hesitant about the school, but at the time it was the only option i had. Considering that a relative was going to pay the tuition lol. But after a block I really liked the style. UOP is not for everyone just like anything else it either floats your boat or not.

@jerv Thank that was great offering some pros and cons for me to work with.

@jerv I unfortunately dont agree with some of your statements and generalizations. There is a vast difference between understaing and training as an electrician and any of the elements of the IT space. There is a huge complexity difference in Doing Electrician work and IT work.

@blueiiznh You are correct about the complexity, but you seem to have missed the point I was making with that comment.

“Controling and learning the lowest layer holds great power!”
Tell me what is lower-level than controlling and learning the electricity. There is a reason that more people in the Navy try to bribe E-div than ADP or S-7, so there is power there. Not as much intellectual stimulation, but definitely some power, especially if you leverage it properly.

@jerv Learning electricity has nothing to do with a career in Information Technology. Once the power spec is given and delivered the power job is done.
The complexity and evolution is what keeps and drives people further. The OP mentioned that they liked the thought of networking. I hope you find your passion OP.

@blueiiznh Still missing it, and I’m not going to clog a “General” question thread trying to explain it any more.

@appletea1991 I think a valid question to ask you so we can help you is, “What is it about computers that excites you?”

For me, I like making them accomplish tasks and how they manipulate data. I care little about the communications aspect of computing, and usually don’t like dealing with people for more than a few minutes at a time (if that much). If I were in your position, that would eliminate Support, web design, and networking off of my list of potential majors while making databases or programming a possibility.

However, you are not me, so there is likely to be something different about computers adn IT that gets you all excited. If we knew what that was then I think we could help you a little better… assuming that that introspection doesn’t make you figure out your calling on your own.