Well actually networking also requires good programming/scripting skills so I think it is worthwhile learning how to program. If I were you I would opt out of VB. You go for C++ or java its upto you. If by learn to program you mean be able to do all the syntaxes you will just need a day but if you want to make a functional program it will take YEARS. Read this by Peter Norvig, he is as good as it gets. http://norvig.com/21-days.html I think this should be read by every aspiring programmer. Talking about me atm I am in love with python. It is certainly the best language i have ever used.