IT guys ???

[jakesford]

I'm currently a mechanical engineering major but have have decided to change majors, I am considering information systems (networks and security) and was wondering what some of you think about the industry...

[trey85stang]

I'm currently a mechanical engineering major but have have decided to change majors, I am considering information systems (networks and security) and was wondering what some of you think about the industry...

I like it :)

[Spritle]

Its a great field, but very tough to get started. The market is flooded with people wanting IT jobs. Pay rates are in the crapper right now.

[Stang2be]

I enjoy it too. Security is in demand but without experience and certs it will be tough.

Feel free to hit me up with questions. I know quite a few in the IT security realm and enjoy my part of it.

[ceyko]

Yeah, security is the place to be for now. I personally dig WAN routing and LAN switching, but these days you have to know at least a little about everything to make a decent living.

Plus, remember with standard stateside/corporate IT jobs you'll basically be issued a cell phone, and pager. Hell, they might even be giving out PDAs and stuff too for all I know. I'm looking forward to stateside work soon, but am dreading on-call again. ah well.

Good luck

[Stang2be]

Yeah, security is the place to be for now. I personally dig WAN routing and LAN switching, but these days you have to know at least a little about everything to make a decent living.

Plus, remember with standard stateside/corporate IT jobs you'll basically be issued a cell phone, and pager. Hell, they might even be giving out PDAs and stuff too for all I know. I'm looking forward to stateside work soon, but am dreading on-call again. ah well.

Good luck

I'm pakcing the company cell and laptop. Not on call yet but they are talking about some changes come the first of the year.

So far I'm also seeing only the big corps have dedicated security staff (Neimans, TI, Fedex, Belo)

Most right now are expecting or wanting that as part of their sys admin/engineers role.

I still wear both hats but trying to lean as much to security as I can.

[jakesford]

thanks for the replies, I have basically one more semester before i really need to decide what direction I want to go... It sounds better since many current engineers I have talked to basically say that you had better really love engineering or you will hate your job type thing. For me, I have always been more into the hardware aspect over the computer science, but I'm willing to learn new stuff as need be...

[lawrence parker]

thanks for the replies, I have basically one more semester before i really need to decide what direction I want to go... It sounds better since many current engineers I have talked to basically say that you had better really love engineering or you will hate your job type thing. For me, I have always been more into the hardware aspect over the computer science, but I'm willing to learn new stuff as need be...

Engineers > IT Professionals

(from a job security standpoint)

[lawrence parker]

I'm currently a mechanical engineering major but have have decided to change majors, I am considering information systems (networks and security) and was wondering what some of you think about the industry...
since you are flagging down the it guys...
any it guys who work with sap r3 on here?
have a few questions.

sorry, not trying to hi-jack your thread, man.

[jakesford]

Engineers > IT Professionals

(from a job security standpoint)

Not always...it depends on the market, in Ft Worth area a large number of engineer ME&AE's are envolved with defense contractors...they loose a contract you're laid off...It's pretty much the same for a lot of large businesses...