Im looking to go back to school to get my Bachelors. I pretty much decided on Colorado Technical University. I will be doing online only, due to my schedule and location.

This is what they have to offer:

A Bachelors of Science in Information Technology with a specialization in:

Data Management
Network Management
Security
Software Application Programming
Software Systems Engineering
Web Development

So my question is, which one is in demand from what the hive has seen.

I searched and read online, but I want opinions from real world folks.

I want something that is going to be stable(if possible),  in demand, and not boring

Thanks guys

The one YOU are most interested in, and naturally gifted at. I'm 100% serious.

This was my first answer, and it's the best one if you don't want to a) be bored out of your mind and looking to jump careers again or b) suck at your job.  Then I considered the economy and trends.  In my environment, security and network management are less likely to get outsourced.  They will also give a firm grounding in the physical aspects of networked communications, something most software wonks never develop.



 

Good question because it will make a huge difference.

Without seeing the curricula, it's hard to say.

I will say that a Computer Science degree carries more weight than an IT degree. Personally, if I were hiring for a coding job, the Com Sci resumes go to the top of the the pile. I probably wouldn't look at someone without one unless he came recommended from someone I knew.

That said, focus on what you like. If you like setting up networks, focus on that in your coursework. If you like to code, go that route.

If I were you, I would skip Data Management and Security. Data Management is probably database work which you'll get as a coder anyway. I have no idea what Security entails. That means different things depending on whether you work in a networking job as opposed to a coding job.

Being a coder, I would recommend one of the other 3 coding options as opposed to Network Management. But, you can find good jobs in either field so that's really up to you.

Good luck.


 

Web development!  With the right skillset, you'll ALWAYS be in demand.  Its never hard to find work as a web developer!  Also, the "web developer" position is typically very rigidly defined and it is a very common, predictable skillset that is always in demand.  This makes it easier for you to find work and to be placed in web development positions.

...says the web developer.  

When I got my BS in comp sci back in the stone ages (80s) I specialized in systems programming.



Although I have been doing applications programming since graduation, go figure.

You need your aptitude tested.

If you aptitude is in the area, then Networking Mgt is the easiest to get started in (as peon) and has the best growth potential. (Based on 40 years IT mgt.)

This response is much less snarky than the one that came to mind.

Good systems people are a lot alike in orientation regardless of what they are on, but understanding networking makes anything easier.

I guess my first question is whether you want to be in systems, apps, or programming.  Work from there.

But truly understanding networking is never a bad thing.

Been in IT 17 years. You are wasting your time with the college thing, it's not going to help you get a job. Right now the field has way more qualified people with experience and a degree than there are jobs. Spend the money setting up a lab at your place, learn the heck out of everything, and try to get in somewhere and work for free if you have to get experience.

Do whatever you have an interest in, but keep mind of this.

If you code, you will be in the race to the bottom with the Indians and soon the Chinese.

Web development will only keep growing and needs a native person to make it US localized.

Network management got boring fast for me and is easily outsourced.

Database management is good, but I never had an interest.

Security is fun if you get into incident response and pen testing.  It will also never be outsourced to India or China.

CISSP (Security) + Clearance
The folks I know with these quals are very, very well compensated.

Kinda depends where you are.  Around my area, web application programming is going to be your best bet.  Web development sucks, and your competition is a bunch of teenagers.

Let's put it this way, if you learn and get good at .NET, you will have no trouble finding a job.  If you have a strong grasp on designing and optimizing databases, that helps a lot.  Network stuff is pretty separate.

This is the way to be happy.  Everything else will fall into place.

What Subnet said.

Having said that, I would rather have my balls in a vice being beaten with a sledge than doing coding, but that's *me*.  

I can only really speak to the network and security side of things.  I can't complain, the market has been pretty decent and the pay has been very good.  However, my experience is it clicks and you are good at it or not.  There are plenty of people that stick with it for the $$, but they still suck at it.  Its not boring, but can be frustrating as hell sometimes.  Wouldn't trade it for anything in the world except independently wealthy.  

I agree with the college thing.  Most jobs in the IT world really dont need people with college degrees since what you will learn in school will be outdated at best and your gonna have to un learn what you have learned once you get a real world job.  For example my BA in CIS as helpful as it was to expand my horizons, i could of got the same education from taking books out of the library or set up labs at home and learned my way around, plus learning pascal instead of C++ or jave set me behind the curve.  I am happy i went to school, but i could have landed my jobs with out it.  I have a guy i work with who has no formal education other than a failed semester at UT in Austin and he does the same thing as I do and actually makes more to boot.  My advice, is get books and start reading, get a home network set up with either windows or linux servers and mess with them by breaking them and then fixing them.  Also at this time get a entry level position working a help desk so at least you have documented work history in the field then work towards certs based on your eventual job preference.  In a couple years if you are good at what you do and are dependable you will get promoted in your current company or be able to move elsware and get a better paying position.

What Subnet said....although I lean toward Network security.....if you arent into it....its just a job