Need for college, verses formal training and certifications, in the security field.

[Brandon McGinty <brandon.mcginty () gmail com>]

List,
I am currently a sophomore in college.
I have been studying firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS),
systems hardening, Cisco security (though I do not yet have equipment to
test this), and general network, server, and workstation security.
I am wondering what your collective thoughts are, in regards to
university experience, verses practical experience in the security field.
While university courses certainly give one a more broad understanding
of the world, there is a good deal of preparation before one can take
any security classes.
I'm wondering if there are other possibilities that would help me gain
employment, or at least a foot in the door.
I am in a position where it would be possible to study, and become
certified in several of the current programs, Security+,
CISA, GIAC, and CISSP, to name a few.
I have also considered trying to find some security professionals to act
as mentors, but I am not sure where to start, or if that would be
beneficial.
What are your thoughts?

Thanks,
Brandon McGinty

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