Certifications

This question is for the professional programmers on the forum:

What kind of certifications do you have, and what type of college degree do you have?

Do you even need college degrees anymore, or just certifications?

The reason i'm asking is because i'm a senior now in high school, and I want to get into the computer field. I'm not sure what route i want to take, so i'm wondering if someone could help me out and tell me what it takes to become a well paid computer technician or programmer.

What is the better field now? Computer Technician (Like Server Technician, or PC Repair) or Computer Programmer?

(If no one minds..could you tell me the current salary prices of computer programmers or technicians? I dont have a clue what they are anymore...)

(by the way i just read another post in this forum..i didnt know it was like this one..but anyway if you could just post i'd appreciate it)
Thanks!

BTEC National Diploma (UK)

About 12,000 starting for programmer (I got 16K :D ) changes with experiance :)

about 9,000 - 12,000 technician (starting) Doesnt change much

I didnt go uni but the industry is VERY slow at the moment so going for a Degree might allow time for it to take off again ;) ;)
or you could end up in debt with no job its a gamble. I dont have a degree and it took me a year to get a job in computers so its all about luck and being in the right place at the right time :D :D

All software programming [well, at least 80%] jobs will eventually move to Asia (India mainly). There all programmers are either engineers or science graduates. For European/American programmers - unless you're confident that you are going to develop something like C++ or Linux, it is better to look into some other fields. It is sad but a reality just because of economic difference between Europe/USA and Asia.

Good luck.

PHD computer Science from University of Hertfordshire and there is no jobs in this industry i'm working freelance and as a mechanic part time lol

:D fun tho