Computer Networking in Los Angeles? (house, unemployment rate, to buy)

[New Horizons]

I'm kind of late getting on a career path, I'm a male of 39. But as a result of years of good sleep and stress free living I look very young. It's a shame I don't have acting skills as my looks would be perfect for the camera, nice teeth, well enough about that.

Since moving to Phoenix AZ, my goals I have changed. I was pursuing an accounting degree in Florida and doing very well, A's in most all of my business and accounting classes. But getting out here to this beautiful dry climate, accounting just lost it's appeal to me, and it sounds completely boring. Just because you CAN do something well doesn't mean it's the right choice. The local community college here offers an associates in Cisco Networking that sounds way funner to me. I've been into computers since my early 20's. I've done programming, mounted tapes on an IBM mainframe system, I love playing with Linux. I think I'd succeed in this Cisco thing.

So what does this have to do with LA? Look I like Phoenix alot. With the low housing cost my parents were able to buy a house here and retire, I live with them and pay rent. But ultimately in the future I think I belong in LA. I've been there a few times and I love the city. It's like the city is a mirrored reflection of my personality, that's about the best way I can explain it. But I'm not going anywhere for now, I'm living very comfortably here and I can get this Cisco degree and job experience here. And I'm close enough to LA to take trips there or even fly there for an interview later on.

I just wanted to know if this was a career that would have any future potential in LA. I mean networks are everywhere now, homes, offices, data centers, entertainment studios probably even.

[I_Love_LA]

"Networking" used to be a hot item. Like a decade ago. Remember all them Cisco and Microsoft (MCSE) books at the local Barnes and Nobles? They used to take up a whole shelf. Now you'd be lucky if you can find them at all.

So what killed the goose? Wireless my friend. WiFi. Bluetooth. Mobile phones. 3G, 4G. LTE. etc. Wireless technology has gotten much easier to implement and on many fronts, has become seamless. Everything is made to "plug and play".

So is there a need for networking still? Of course, but we are talking about the enterprise level. Big companies and corporate offices. By all means, get your Cisco certification. But be prepared for a long job search.

[eureka1]

+1

[jtamay3]

Originally Posted by I_Love_LA

"Networking" used to be a hot item. Like a decade ago. Remember all them Cisco and Microsoft (MCSE) books at the local Barnes and Nobles? They used to take up a whole shelf. Now you'd be lucky if you can find them at all.

So what killed the goose? Wireless my friend. WiFi. Bluetooth. Mobile phones. 3G, 4G. LTE. etc. Wireless technology has gotten much easier to implement and on many fronts, has become seamless. Everything is made to "plug and play".

So is there a need for networking still? Of course, but we are talking about the enterprise level. Big companies and corporate offices. By all means, get your Cisco certification. But be prepared for a long job search.

As someone who has a networking Bachelor's, in the field, and currently working on their masters, I can honestly say, you've never been more wrong. Just because B&N doesn't stack their shelves with Networking books doesn't say much at all.

Mobile Data Connectivity is still part of networking, it's just wireless. If anything, that created more jobs. Cisco has classes and certs based off of wireless technology. It's always been a big thing which is booming.

Don't believe me?

Network and Computer Systems Administrators : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Bureau of Labor Statistics has networking jobs increasing by 28%.

All I can say to the OP, however, is to get some experience while getting some schooling. Chances are, you're going to start at a help desk. I'd get that out of the way in AZ while housing is cheap. Get your certs and about 3 years of experience and that'll help you a lot. The CCNA can be taken in two parts of you want. If you're feeling like you can grasp the concepts well enough, go for a CCNP cert.

[I_Love_LA]

Yeah, working on your master's. Better get a phd while you're at it, because the jobs aren't gonna be waiting for you when you graduate.

[ccm123]

Wireless killed networking?

Wireless access points are portals to wired networks, in case you didn't know. When a wireless network is deployed, it creates more demand for other networking devices (switches, routers, firewalls, etc).

It takes an trained and educated engineer to perform site surveys to understand RF behavior before a wireless network is deployed. Once the wireless is deployed, a trained engineer is needed to design and configure the other networking components (switch, router, firewall) which is behind the wireless access point.

Originally Posted by I_Love_LA

"Networking" used to be a hot item. Like a decade ago. Remember all them Cisco and Microsoft (MCSE) books at the local Barnes and Nobles? They used to take up a whole shelf. Now you'd be lucky if you can find them at all.

So what killed the goose? Wireless my friend. WiFi. Bluetooth. Mobile phones. 3G, 4G. LTE. etc. Wireless technology has gotten much easier to implement and on many fronts, has become seamless. Everything is made to "plug and play".

So is there a need for networking still? Of course, but we are talking about the enterprise level. Big companies and corporate offices. By all means, get your Cisco certification. But be prepared for a long job search.

[ccm123]

The last I saw, the higher the level of education, the lower the level of unemployment:

Earnings and unemployment rates by educational attainment

Originally Posted by I_Love_LA

Yeah, working on your master's. Better get a phd while you're at it, because the jobs aren't gonna be waiting for you when you graduate.

[New Horizons]

Awesome!! I'm currently working at a warehouse near downtown Phoenix and just busting my butt. Yeah, it's stress free work but I couldn't handle this kind of physical exertion for years on end. This Cisco networking approach gives me hope, and it couldn't be a more perfect fit for me too. Yesterday I configured a printer via command line in Linux, I get major satisfaction from that.

I'm content here in Phoenix, but it's just great having my dream city 5 hours to my west. I'm feeling motivated.

Originally Posted by jtamay3

As someone who has a networking Bachelor's, in the field, and currently working on their masters, I can honestly say, you've never been more wrong. Just because B&N doesn't stack their shelves with Networking books doesn't say much at all.

Mobile Data Connectivity is still part of networking, it's just wireless. If anything, that created more jobs. Cisco has classes and certs based off of wireless technology. It's always been a big thing which is booming.

Don't believe me?

Network and Computer Systems Administrators : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Bureau of Labor Statistics has networking jobs increasing by 28%.

All I can say to the OP, however, is to get some experience while getting some schooling. Chances are, you're going to start at a help desk. I'd get that out of the way in AZ while housing is cheap. Get your certs and about 3 years of experience and that'll help you a lot. The CCNA can be taken in two parts of you want. If you're feeling like you can grasp the concepts well enough, go for a CCNP cert.