Well i am currently doing my Third year Engineering in IT and so i dare say i am in a very good position to comment on this topic ......
Firstly i would like to pick out some of the posts here with very good advice that is 100% accurate
Post # 3
BSODs advice about getting used to Linux's Command Line interface is a very good one ... 'Practice makes perfect' and there is no better way to practice your programming skills [Especially for the case sensitive kinds]
But i would like to point out that there are in fact some colleges where you can study Computer security related stuff ..... You can approach them in 2 ways
->Do your computer enggineering [BE or BTech].... its the basic for many professions in the field of computers ...
->A better way would be to think about pursuing a BS degree in computer science [US] , specialising in Computer security [hopefully in a prestigious Univ like stanford].....
The second method applies to you even if you self study in this area
Post #4
Great advice , i have nothing more to say rather i will highlight the last paragraph about getting your mathematics right ...... Start practicing your Math aptitude right from now .... [its fun and really basic]
Doing well in your Math aptitude will serve your interests in the future , whether its writing your 12th Enterence Exams or applying for Oversees courses [BS] or a job at any company or if you plan to pursue your MBA [GMAT , CAT ,MAT , XAT etc etc ]
Post #14
point highlighted in Blue ... very good one
One more think i would like to point out
In the computer Industry its
"Age no bar ..... Knowledge is power"
i have a friend who works in a company as a project manager ....... One of his sub-ordinate employee's experience in the industry is more than that of my Friend's age
Keep yourself motivated ...its very common to find ace programmers who have got bored with the industry and moved on to pursue MBA and completely change fields [Finance , Human resource etc] .... Bcuz it provides a better salary [Twice or thrice over] and ppl are really attracted to the Lifestyle associated with it .....