I'm a Canadian student about to start a Bachelor of Applied Computer Science program, and I'm nervous that I'm choosing the wrong path. I'm not interested in becoming a software engineer or spending my career building business applications. My real passion is systems administration: I've run a homelab for years, enjoy managing complex Linux servers, and like troubleshooting and administering computer systems.
I sometimes feel like sysadmin and cybersecurity are treated as fallback careers for people who couldn't become software engineers, but that isn't how I see it. Would an applied computer science degree be useful for infrastructure work, or would I be better off pursuing a two- or three-year IT, information systems, networking, or systems-management diploma? The program I'm considering is more systems- and management-focused than traditional computer science, replacing much of the advanced math and theory with systems, programming, and business courses.
Has anyone completed a four-year computing degree with the intention of working in systems administration? How much did the degree help compared with certifications, practical experience, co-op placements, or homelab projects?
3 Answers
I followed a similar path in Canada: computer science degree, help desk, then systems administration. The degree itself wasn’t a complete substitute for practical IT experience, but my homelab helped demonstrate that I could actually work with systems. I’d continue with the applied degree if the program genuinely emphasizes systems, networking, and automation, while gaining work experience as early as possible.
If you already know you want hands-on IT operations, an IT, information systems, networking, or systems-management program may be more directly relevant than a traditional CS degree. Those programs often cover administration, cloud, security, hardware, and networking sooner. Certifications and practical experience can also matter a lot, so look for co-op opportunities and keep building your homelab.
The degree choice depends heavily on cost and the specific courses. A focused diploma with a good placement program may get you working sooner, while a four-year degree keeps more doors open for management, engineering, and jobs that require a bachelor’s degree.
A computer science degree can absolutely lead to systems administration, especially as infrastructure work increasingly involves scripting, automation, infrastructure as code, and understanding operating systems and networking at a deeper level. You probably won’t use every theory or math course directly, but learning how software and systems work makes it easier to troubleshoot, automate, and move toward systems engineering, DevOps, or SRE later.
The important distinction is the actual curriculum. A traditional CS program may be heavily focused on algorithms and theory, while an applied program with systems, networking, programming, and management could be a very good fit.
Don’t think of sysadmin as a lesser version of software engineering. Good infrastructure roles are challenging and valuable. Just be realistic that entry-level jobs can be competitive, so projects, co-op, communication skills, and hands-on troubleshooting will matter alongside the credential.