Dilemma transition from architecure to Information technology

Question

Hi my graduate degree discipline is architecture (pertaining to buildings not computer or information networks).However i fell in love with computers and technology in college and bagged a job in this MNC wherein i was a Database Admnistrator.

My role demanded me to test various new products an ddeploy them at client locations.I loved the job.I even went on to simulate my own development environment and domain and stuff like that.

Its been almost 1 and a half years and now i am engrossed in IT , I am also an MCP by the way.

Do you think it is possible for me to pursue higher education in Computer science with my academic background ????????

Answer 1

I started out in biology, then moved into AI, then Data Driven systems to Networks and Databases. So I can assure you it's viable, just got to show your interest and have something ( some programs ) to show

Answer 2

I was educated as a mechanical engineer and practiced for 16 years before switching to software, so that's two data points that say switches can happen.

It'd be interesting to hear how you react in the future when people drone on about how architecture for buildings and software are "the same". You're likely to be the only person in the room who will be able to say "No, they're not, and here's why..."

I get that feeling every time someone tries to explain to me how manufacturing widgets is just like creating software. How many of them have ever been on a shop floor?

Answer 3

I think you might be confusing the terms "IT" and "Computer Science" a bit. Your job (DBA) and certification (MCP) are definitely IT, which to me is higher level and operational. But if that is what you love, then your progression might be an MIS degree instead. Now if what you love is really at a lower level, the inner workings of software, then you should definitely go for Computer Science. And if you want to get even lower level, like at the hardware level, then go for a Computer Engineering.

IMHO, degrees are cool if you like the school experience and have a lot of time and money. Personally, I did the computer science thing, which probably helped get my foot in the door. But the knowledge I needed to do my job as an application developer, I honestly think I learned on my own.

Answer 4

I suggest understanding the difference between

1. using running and programming computers
2. reasoning about computers (E.g. proofing that "omega is the weakest failure detector in a distributed system" or reasoning about the amount of information encoded in a video signal)

Most academic Computer Scientists ("Informatics" in german) are not very good at programming or system administration. So if you like that stuff you might want actually stay away from academia and directly jup into an interesting IT-related job.

The Information Technology industry is still quite willing to accept self learning. E.g. In my company about 50% of the staff have a formal education in CS/MIS. One guy who recently joined us is a structural engineer - so if structural engineers can do it, architects can do it, too ;-)