I got approved

[Laoch]

...for full tuition, fees, book $ and a monthly stipend of $1200 under the new chapter 33 GI bill.

Now what?
I have to go full time. 36 months max.
What do I study?

Decisions, decisions.
I'm not looking to start until next fall, I gots bills to pay off, so I have some thinking time.

I know this is an eclectic and diverse group, so any thoughts?

I'm leaning towards IT and CIS. Specifically network stuff.

BTW my daughter is in school
We'd be classmates.

[pmullen]

...for full tuition, fees, book $ and a monthly stipend of $1200 under the new chapter 33 GI bill.

Now what?
I have to go full time. 36 months max.
What do I study?

Decisions, decisions.
I'm not looking to start until next fall, I gots bills to pay off, so I have some thinking time.

I know this is an eclectic and diverse group, so any thoughts?

I'm leaning towards IT and CIS. Specifically network stuff.

BTW my daughter is in school
We'd be classmates.

if you want to do IT, do computer security or computer forensics. Stay away from commodity IT (networking, programming, database administration).

The most promising arena is government acquisition. It is a stressful job in Aug/Sept but is the fastest growing gov work area and they are projected to have a high demand for 10 or more years. It is also something that transitions well from government to industry

bring beers and we can talk more this weekend while we clean sand from the bikes

[Laoch]

Thanks Ken. I'm adding that to the list

I'll be at a soccer tournament this weekend.
And I gotta put a chain on TJ's KX, and I got new rubber to spoon on the KLR.
Ya'll have fun in the sand.

[pmullen]

Thanks Ken. I'm adding that to the list

I'll be at a soccer tournament this weekend.
And I gotta put a chain on TJ's KX, and I got new rubber to spoon on the KLR.
Ya'll have fun in the sand.

[Kath]

Yeah, from what I understand IT is flooded right now with out of work people. I'm thinking networking is too popular and competitive a field. I'd go for something like Ken suggested. Or if you really want job security, go the blue collar route. I read that we are losing plumbers and electricians because all the kids are going into IT now. Sheesh...someone's gotta do that work and apparently we'll all be paying a premium for it eventually. Hey, here's an idea....go to motorcycle mechanic school in Florida! LOL

[Laoch]

I've heard that also. Kath. Thanks.

Do you guys see the same thing two years out? And then further?


I have a short list and electrician, either home or industrial is on it.

[pmullen]

I've heard that also. Kath. Thanks.

Do you guys see the same thing two years out? And then further?


I have a short list and electrician, either home or industrial is on it.

Maryland requires a 7-year apprenticeship and there is only one license - commercial. Sucks, when I retired from the military I tried to transfer my Indiana residential license but that was a no-go.

[Laoch]

I gotta check on that, does PA license electricians?

[Grady]

Finding skilled labor is difficult nowadays. In my experience, high schools don't push the trades. It seems when I was in high school that they made trades seem as if they were for people who couldn't finish high school. Now that I'm in the field, I see it every day how hard it is to find good skilled labor. When people do find good labor now, they pay a premium to keep it.

[crofrog]

Yeah, from what I understand IT is flooded right now with out of work people. I'm thinking networking is too popular and competitive a field. I'd go for something like Ken suggested. Or if you really want job security, go the blue collar route. I read that we are losing plumbers and electricians because all the kids are going into IT now. Sheesh...someone's gotta do that work and apparently we'll all be paying a premium for it eventually. Hey, here's an idea....go to motorcycle mechanic school in Florida! LOL

Eh... In other parts of the country maybe. There is a large demand for experienced people in the IT field right now. The problem is breaking into the market. It's pretty unlikely to get a degree in networking and bust directly into that industry.

You'll end up starting out in a NOC or a help desk somewhere for a few years making 40k or so.