Yes, keep them as a learning experience. If you want to go into IS/IT, understanding the capabilities of a managed switch is a Good Thing. My last project was fixing out managed switch database which controlls basicaly all the security on the network. We can pull up a port on the hub, see what room it's in, what the last MAC address was on the port, who has that MAC registered, what IP they're assigned, and so on. We can also shut down ports, make it so anyone can use the ports, or make it so just registered computers can use the ports. They really are invaluble in any situation that requires any kind of security. Start learning about SNMP and the like, and start messing with the people you live with.

Matthew