I was in an Information Systems (BBA with an IT focus) degree program at a four year university in the United States' "Deep South". I got out of the college scene after 3 years and enlisted because I figured I could be working in IT faster (and leave the Armed Forces with relevant experience under my belt) if I left. (This was right before the economy tanked, so in retrospect it was an initiative bathed in some sort of fatefully unintentional clairvoyance.) I also figured that in going this route, I could get my foot in the door with various agencies that I would one day like to be working for. What you said about the government work really resonated with me, very true and I see it now. But I thought in college "these people don't really USE, nor are they interested in, the technology they're learning about" (this is an exception of course, some were). Now I'm saying, at my current position, "these people don't use at home, nor are they interested in, the technology they use at work" (this is an exception of course, some do). The difference in people between the two places: no difference. The difference in environment: interesting work experiences and a handful of IT industry certifications that were provided for me at no cost.