Computer Science or Information Technology?
There was a question posted to Slashdot today about Computer Science of Info Tech? I decided to respond and make reference to a previous post I made on Higher Education and Computer Science.
The body of my response to the question follows.
I’d break down the computer science vs. information technology like this:
Computer Science: You want to create things such as software, hardware, algorithms, architectures, platforms, etc. Any of the more fundamental building blocks of computing, go into computer science to learn how computing technologies work and how to extend them or create new ones. This can range from being a low level developer, hardware engineer, researcher, software architect, or CTO.
Information Technology: Go here if you want to manage the technology. This is more about having knowledge about the parts of technology, how they interplay, how to cost, how to resolve business goals. This can be as low level as a wire puller running cables, to personal computer tech, to site manager, to CIO.
My analogy. If you want to build buildings, go Information Technology. If you want to create the building materials, go computer science. Know this however, if you can create building materials you can create the building, not necessarily the other way around though.
How to choose? If you have a true love and passion for technology and how it works then go computer science, it will give you an appreciation for how things actually work, how things are designed, and how to create new things. If you like using technology but are in it for the money or doen’t like the science of it all go information technology. Information technology will allow you to work in technology but not have to deal with all the theory and math.
I like your analogy but you are mistaken when you say “if you can create building materials you can create the building”
Proof of this can be seen by going to any plywood mill and asking anyone there what the building codes specify for nail spacing on flooring, wall sheathing and roofing.
Case Closed
Yep, I think you’ve got me there. I agree with your analysis. I think I had a narrow case in mind when I wrote the statement.
Thanks for clarifying things!
[...] July 26th, 2007 at 9:32 am (Tech News) What would you choose? [...]
Go into computer science if you want a job. Go into Information Technology if you want to compete with cheap offshore labor for the rest of your life.
Thanks for your classification Alex.
Sam,
I have a degree in CS but unfortunately I focused on programming which has definitely become more likely to be outsourced.
Programs can be reworked, updated features added etc by cheap labor in other country’s and easily sent anywhere in the world.
Once I was Cisco certified, many more doors opened. I now work in a NOC managing and troubleshooting fiber and coax networks for a major ISP
IMO if you want good paying job opportunities get your certs from Cisco and/or Microsoft.
My reasoning is this:
The hardware that our networks depend on has to be physically maintained and that is logistically difficult to outsource.
I am sure others will have different views so each person will have to decide based on their own values.
Don’t forget though, if you like what you do it will never be work.
Thank you for sharing!