This is going to be the last job-related thread I make. Seriously. Promise. Its become abundantly clear that I should focus my next longterm career on something involving computers. I use computers all the time, Im always fiddling around with programs and configurations, mainly for self benefit (such as my SNES Classic)....even my current job has me diagnosing the main PC software associated with our equipment. I have a fair amount of experience, its about time I put it into finding a decent career out of it.
But it always comes down to IT Security vs Programming/Software Development. I always hesitate when deciding between these two fields because, frankly, I dont know enough about either of them. Im hoping I can finally get enough information to help me comfortably make a choice, so here are my general questions:
1. What is the typical work enviornment for either? Which tends to offer more stress, more freedom, etc?
2. Which tends to have more job openings and opportunities?
3. Which offer more flexible/rotating schedules? Im officially done with the 8-5 schedule, because I hate the early morning and I especially hate being stuck on the ass-end commute for both going to work and leaving work.
4. Which is more likely to offer work at home options? Again, see above.
5. How much of the required materials can be learned for free online using various tools/guides, and how much requires going back to school?
6. What kind of certs/degrees/licenses should I focus on, and how many of those can be used for either field?
7. Finally, what are some of the most common job titles for either field? Are there job positions that can have you do a little of both? Depending on the responses for #6, should I be focusing on earning knowledge that can have me doing both IT and Programming in one job?
Im officially done hesitating at this point, so if I can get some of these basic questions out of the way, I can finally put forward a career plan. I just need to mainly know the differences between the two fields, which one currently has better job security/availability and whats the best way to get my foot on either door.
Im also not against learning about a third option that I may not have known about.
But it always comes down to IT Security vs Programming/Software Development. I always hesitate when deciding between these two fields because, frankly, I dont know enough about either of them. Im hoping I can finally get enough information to help me comfortably make a choice, so here are my general questions:
1. What is the typical work enviornment for either? Which tends to offer more stress, more freedom, etc?
2. Which tends to have more job openings and opportunities?
3. Which offer more flexible/rotating schedules? Im officially done with the 8-5 schedule, because I hate the early morning and I especially hate being stuck on the ass-end commute for both going to work and leaving work.
4. Which is more likely to offer work at home options? Again, see above.
5. How much of the required materials can be learned for free online using various tools/guides, and how much requires going back to school?
6. What kind of certs/degrees/licenses should I focus on, and how many of those can be used for either field?
7. Finally, what are some of the most common job titles for either field? Are there job positions that can have you do a little of both? Depending on the responses for #6, should I be focusing on earning knowledge that can have me doing both IT and Programming in one job?
Im officially done hesitating at this point, so if I can get some of these basic questions out of the way, I can finally put forward a career plan. I just need to mainly know the differences between the two fields, which one currently has better job security/availability and whats the best way to get my foot on either door.
Im also not against learning about a third option that I may not have known about.