Originally Posted by cd34
Programming - While LAMP (linux, apache, mysql, php) is one of the most common deployment platforms, there are a lot of VisualBasic/IIS deployments in the corporate world. I don't know whether colleges focus more on object oriented programming or go into specific languages. PHP/VisualBasic would be two of the most common. You'll find perl and python are gaining acceptance. Google almost exclusively uses Python.
Database Admin - With Oracle buying Sun/MySQL, it'll be interesting to see what happens. Database admin is becoming much more important, but, the common wisdom of yesterday and what is being taught in schools, probably isn't what most places are doing today. Even in recent times, relational databases are being replaced with sharded databases and hadoop/bigtable seem to be replacing conventional database design. Still, there are fundamentals there that are important and you'll find that most people aren't doing massive deployments that require unconventional database structures.
Business Management - If I were going to do it today, I would major in Business and minor in programming or Database Admin. You would of course go into the entrylevel positions and with the business degree, probably rise up in the ranks a little more quickly.
IT Certifications - In order to get a job, you almost have to have one of these today. They typically are a few hour course followed by a test. I've interviewed people with these certifications, and, most couldn't troubleshoot anything outside the exam, but, the mainstream world tends to put more weight on the letters after your name than abilities.
As for today's economy, I would think it would be easier to find a job as a programmer than a database admin, but, the pay scale for a database admin would be a little higher. Check your local job listings to see what they are asking for. Many high-level temp agencies could tell you exactly what they are looking for and many will be looking for programmers with experience with certain frameworks or languages.
I can tell you that I have interviewed at least 30 programmers in the last year, most were college graduates, some with some work experience and short of having the piece of paper, none were qualified. I've watched the coursework for my nephew's programming classes and what they are teaching will not prepare him for a real programming job.
Even with the paper in hand, unless you've done quite a bit of programming in the past, you're going to find most jobs that you would consider to be difficult because the college programs haven't prepared you. For every hour of coursework, you'll want to spend multiple hours writing code not related to the courses.
For Database Admin, you might find colleges are preparing students a little better since there isn't as much diversity. You've got 2 major platforms, SQL92 and MSSQL which is loosely based on SQL92. Whether there is a lot of work there for a dedicated admin is hard to say as I would imagine many companies are finding it cheaper to throw hardware at a problem and have a programmer with an understanding of database admin to deal with things. Again, check with your local tech temp staffing agency to find out what they are finding as the most in-demand positions.
Either way, you're going to need to add those letters after your name to give yourself a competitive advantage in the programming/database admin field. You won't be able to separate yourself from the ton of other applicants to a position without some edge, and, age will probably work against you.
You're facing a situation where unemployment in the high tech fields is in the 12-15% range, salaries are at an all-time low and there is an oversupply of people in the field. The time it would take to get the degree, you would have to make a guess as to whether the climate will have improved substantially in 2-3 years.
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