The field of computer technology is separated from all others by the very nature of technology itself. Technology has always been around, from the invention of the wheel to the sub-atomic particle splitters that allow us to harness the power of the atom. Until the computer age, technology was a vague term representing the advancement of science as a whole. When someone speaks of technology today, however, they are almost always referring to the dissemination of information by electronic means. Technological growth in this area has been nothing short of miraculous, with advances outpacing the market for which they are intended.

When modern computer technology must be incorporated into a working model suitable for serving the needs of individuals and businesses, it is the information technology professionals that we rely on. From software development to data security and all points in between, specialists in the world of IT put technology to work for us. It's fitting, then, that for a non-traditional field, the importance of education is equally non-traditional.

When computers and the technology surrounding them began making their mark on the business community, there were few academic programs in place for those wishing to enter the field. Some of the greatest software developments of the last twenty years were created by engineering school dropouts who were heavy on ideas and light on technical training. Little has changed since then, and while many educational institutions have seen the graduations of class after class of computer science majors, not all of the working professional in IT chose to go that route.

Computer network engineering is one area of information technology where experience isn't trumped by education, and the number of people working in the field without bachelor level degrees under their belt is growing. Many receive some form of training through intensive diploma or certification tracts, though associate level programs are by far the most popular option.

Even those with extensive computer networking experience often seek some form of formal training to round out their skill sets and curry favor with potential employers, and the move toward a two year program as the new ideal has been met with industry wide acceptance. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, “A number of companies (in IT support positions) are becoming more flexible about requiring a college degree… Relevant computer experience may substitute for formal education.”

This makes IT related positions such as computer networking engineer popular among new students who want to quickly enter the workforce, as well those who have the experience but wish to augment it with a relevant degree that requires less of a commitment than a bachelor program.