Web Hosting Talk : Other Forums : Web Hosting Lounge : Choosing a major...

[iGravity]

Well it's nearing my senior year(current junior) of high school and I've been thinking hard on colleges/majors. I would really like to do something with computers, but business also interests me so I'm a little lost. I like to do a lot of things with computers such as designing web sites and writing the code to go with them(php, javascript... whatever it takes). This is my main thing right now with computers, but I really do a lot more than that. I've been switching between business, computer science, computer engineering, and software engineering... just need to choose the right one. I want to do Business, but I would like to possibly start my own business later in life that has a very good involvedment with computers and technology. Then, there's Computer Science or one of the other majors, but I feel as if it limits me with jobs, etc.

What should I do?

p.s. I know I'm kind of going overboard on this since I still have 2 years...

Thanks everyone,
Ryan

[ThatScriptGuy]

Perhaps consider Information Systems. At my campus, this is described basically as Information Technology with a focus in business environments (you do learn some business practices, accounting, macro economics, etc...)

Then again, if you're looking to open a business, perhaps major in business management/marketing with a minor in IT or something similar.....
Kevin

[cd-mchase]

To be honest, if you have a degree in business but are still knowledgable when it comes to computers, all you need to do is get a few certs and you can get almost any computer job you want.

I personally swapped from getting an IT degree to a Business Management degree after I had spoken to a few business execs about the subject.. and once I had realized how much math was involved in getting an IT degree

[Carp]

I good idea would be to major in business and take some other courses on the side to get some certs?

Just and idea for you.

[iGravity]

Thanks for the quick responses. I have considered Information Technology as another major, forgot to add that. How difficult are the certifcation test/courses? What major/minor would you recommend if I were, to say, start a business involved in the web hosting industry or maybe even web development?

[cd-mchase]

The cert tests aren't very hard if you take the courses and read the material. It takes a lot less time to do than weeks of college courses because it's compressed.

If you're going to start a webhosting business, I'd recommend a Business Management degree with maybe a minor in Advertising or Public Relations, or maybe even Finance. It all depends on what aspects of the business you want to get heavily involved with.

[Carp]

Advertising would be a good minor for an internet business.

[Carp]

Linux and Security class?

[iGravity]

Thanks again for these tips. How would you guys think a major in Business and minor in Information Technology work out?

[Carp]

That sounds like a plan.

I would go right to a college website and email them asking which would be the best route for you.

[cd-mchase]

Yeah, one of the best things you can do is talk to a college advisor about this type of decision; however, in my experience most advisors have no idea what 'webhosting' even is so I'd also try to talk to some business and computer science department teachers.

[cd-mchase]

Besides, you don't really have to declare your major until you're finished with your electives anyway.

[RandyT]

Security classes are short. Mine is from August 21st thru October 19th.

[iGravity]

Management Information Systems... can anyone describe this to me? Is it basically Information Technology with a large business aspect to it? What's different between Information Systems and Information Technology?