I am a Junior at a small state college in the southeast US, studying information system technology. I currently work help desk at a large law firm making around $40k TC. I have two paths I can follow after graduation; Cloud or try to get into the Google ITRP (manning one of their tech stop for two years) then try and move internal after. Along with my school work, I plan to get the Net+, Sec+, Linux+ certs and do a Python udemy course in over the course of the next year. I may start stacking AWS/GCP certs if Cloud seems to be the way after college.
Get the certs per your plan but I think a CS degree will get you further than an information system technology degree. You can do IT instead of coding if you want but the CS degree will open more doors.
I agree, I would eventually like to do a boot camp and then transition into a MSCS like GT's OMSCS or UT's MSCSO (or I can do UT's in person if I get into Google's ITRP in Austin). I don't believe I'm cut out of SDE but a Solution Architect or SRE would be awesome.
You’re more leaning toward DevOps / Infra with the certs you outlined in your OP rather than SWE.
U r in school. Why not a traditional CS degree and then a regular SWE job at G or any other faang?
At the time I was working at the College and they were offering free a class every other semester and then reimbursement for the rest. They have a programing IT track but from the few classes I took in my gen ed, it isn't a strong program (they are more focused on database design and management). In order to be eligible for the local University's CS program, I'd have to do another year of gen eds (calc and physic I and II) where as I see myself graduating with a relatively affordable B.S. with a nice pocket of certs and exposure to Python and Linux. I'd like to do a bootcamp to build my coding skills and then go for a MS in CS down the road.
With just python/Linux and some self studied algo/DS u would be able to crack a FAang. Only problem would be to get an interview in this case.
If you are able to get those certifications along with few of AWS or GCP, you will be able to get much better jobs that just being in Helpdesk in non-FaanG companies, even if you start at Helpdesk with that much expertise and eagerness to pick up new skillsets you will be able to progress much faster. Speaking from experience here.
Can’t go wrong with Cloud or AI for the next decade+