quote: Original post by necromancer_df
really? i was under the impression that there were now (or soon will be) more computer related graduates than there are jobs.

Yes, but you gotta remember that 2002 is OLD information in this field.

Let me give you some advice concerning your career. If you want to be a well-paid programmer, then I'm afraid having a good degree in Computer Science won't do you any good. Companies that pay well look for talent and determination, rather than pieces of paper stating that you have a so and so degree. Today having a degree in the field of Computer Science doesn't make you any different from those who don't when it comes to getting a job in the industry, because there are more and more people emerging out there who have degrees but, frankly, don't know shit. So the approach that more and more companies use when deciding whether to hire someone or not is looking at what he/she can actually do, rather than what degree that person has. They do this either by testing you personally when you come to apply for a job, or by looking at your portfolio (if you have one) to see what you're capable of.

My advice to you is to take a couple of months to decide what sort of programmer you want to be (in other words which area of the industry do you want to specialize in). Then take a couple more months to search the internet for as much information as possible concerning WHAT YOU MUST KNOW to become an expert in your chosen field and HOW YOU CAN OBTAIN THIS KNOWLEDGE. (what books you need etc.)

Once you've done that obtain the materials you need and start learning. Don't rush it though - remember that you have plenty of time because by the time you become of the age to go to university, you will already know things which most others of your age have no idea about.

And remember that to become a self-taught expert requires more than just brains. The stage of deciding HOW you will learn the required stuff by yourself is VERY IMPORTANT. If you get it wrong then there's a possibility that you will end up wasting your own time for nothing.

Also remember at all times that being an expert in terms of knowledge is only half of the requirement of becoming successful. The other half is being communicative. You must know how to communicate with people and how to advertise yourself. Companies will not come looking for you. You are the one who presents himself to the companies. And if you don't do it right (let alone not doing it at all), you will achieve NOTHING.

This is why people graduating from top universities tend to be more succssful. These universities teach you how to communicate with people. The actual knowledge that you obtain in your chosen field depends on you, not the university.

I hope this advice will be helpful to you. Good luck.

[edited by - VXG on May 17, 2003 10:10:30 AM]

The answer is very simple: choose the career that will make you happy.

Money isn''t everything. Being poor and loving your job is preferable to not being poor and hating your job.

If you find that you don''t enjoy your career, try something else. Nothing is set in stone, especially for a sophomore in high school.

Computer programmers are not poor. Most of the people on this board do programming as a hobby. That''s why they don''t make any money at it.

I''m gonna work at Nintendo''s and work my way up to an important seat. Muahahaha!

.lick

quote: Original post by necromancer_df
Original post by Dak Lozar
Last I heard there were 100,000 IT jobs that went unfilled in 2002.
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really? i was under the impression that there were now (or soon will be) more computer related graduates than there are jobs.

Yes and no, you are arguing over apples and oranges.

There is a shortage of jobs a computer related graduate can get, however, there are many specialized fields, like embedded systems, RPG IV, COBOL, that go unfilled, because its hard to find people with any experince to handle them...

It is a poor choice only if you don''t enjoy it. It really is as simple as that.

Saying "the salary is lower" is a piss-poor argument. My mother teaches for a living--it is one of the lowest paying jobs.

What''s a "Sophmore"?

sophmore = 2nd year in US/Canada.

If you don''t mind sitting in a cube in front of a pooter all day, then programming is fine.

some people relish human contact and some do not.

this might be a dump Q, but i love programming and want to be a game developer, but i want to make some money too. if I start a company and focus on the business side and development, until later when i just head the business side, would that be a feasable way to program and get cash. I mean come on, blizzard has to make money, they just dont give it to programmers.

Like others have said, don''t worry about making money. Do the job for the enjoyment aspect of it. Look at the legendary programmer, John Carmack, for instance. He didn''t like publicity or anything....he just wanted to program games! That''s all he cared about was programming games. If you truly want to be a game programmer, then go for it. Take the courses at the 2 year college, then, after you''ve completed your time there, transfer to a four year college (actually, it''ll be 2 years now). But remember, jut because you have a degree in something doesn''t necessarily mean that you''re good enough to get the job in that field. It just means that you''re dedicated to the subject. It doesn''t mention diddly-squat about your skills and abilities, which happen to be important!

Good luck!


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