Going into IT

Just because you have an IT degree or CS degree doesn't guarantee anything. At best, schooling is only part of the picture. When I look at ads on craigslist or other places where IT jobs are posted, employees are looking for a lot of things that aren't in school programs...like experience. A lot of things that I know that relate to computers I never learned in a classroom and this kind of thing comes from using computers for many years and doing things that interested me.

It is very hard for schools to have as current as a program that teaches the techology that is currently being used in the workplace. This is due to the fast-paced nature of IT in general and because schools have budget limitations. We used Adobe CS3 for most of the time I was in school and one lab had CS4. What is the current version? CS5 or CS6? Most of the school was using Windows XP until very recently. We were taught dynamic web pages using .asp and never touched the more widely used .aspx.

So even if you are in a program, I would recommend you look to other learning resources on your own. It will only help you down the line when you are looking for a job and an employer wants to know if you know how to do XYZ and it wasn't taught in school.
 
Glenn said:
Just because you have an IT degree or CS degree doesn't guarantee anything. At best, schooling is only part of the picture. When I look at ads on craigslist or other places where IT jobs are posted, employees are looking for a lot of things that aren't in school programs...like experience. A lot of things that I know that relate to computers I never learned in a classroom and this kind of thing comes from using computers for many years and doing things that interested me.

It is very hard for schools to have as current as a program that teaches the techology that is currently being used in the workplace. This is due to the fast-paced nature of IT in general and because schools have budget limitations. We used Adobe CS3 for most of the time I was in school and one lab had CS4. What is the current version? CS5 or CS6? Most of the school was using Windows XP until very recently. We were taught dynamic web pages using .asp and never touched the more widely used .aspx.

So even if you are in a program, I would recommend you look to other learning resources on your own. It will only help you down the line when you are looking for a job and an employer wants to know if you know how to do XYZ and it wasn't taught in school.
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school can give you the basic foundation. with solid basic foundation - you will be able to learn new skill and adapt as according to new trend. It is your responsibility to continue upgrading your skill.

If you know Adobe CS3, you can easily adapt to CS4 and so on. If not - consider a career change.
 
Jiro, I cannot believe you have not mentioned anything about the smart phone market. That is the future of personal computing. Right now smart phones only occupy 10 to 15 percent of the phone market and it is increasing dramatically each year. Making a phone applications, if successfully done, can make you some money. The droid-iphone battle is just heating up. Not to mention ms is coming out with their own phone operating system too.

This is what you need to know foxrac,
- there is a turnover in the field of programming. What's new now could be old in a few years. Old programmers are left for newer ones. Managers, often with little programming exp, make the big bucks.
-network and get to know people. That's how you get jobs.
-start with the basics and work your way up.
-getting certifications makes your resume look good.
-the health field will be going through a huge change in the next 5 to 10 years. Security and networking will be huge.
-start programming for fun to get used to it or else lol

Jiro, another thing. There are programming jobs in america. Americans don't see eye to eye with folks from india on ideas even though the programming is the same. Communication is key.
 
ChocolateMILK said:
Jiro, I cannot believe you have not mentioned anything about the smart phone market. That is the future of personal computing. Right now smart phones only occupy 10 to 15 percent of the phone market and it is increasing dramatically each year. Making a phone applications, if successfully done, can make you some money. The droid-iphone battle is just heating up. Not to mention ms is coming out with their own phone operating system too.

This is what you need to know foxrac,
- there is a turnover in the field of programming. What's new now could be old in a few years. Old programmers are left for newer ones. Managers, often with little programming exp, make the big bucks.
-network and get to know people. That's how you get jobs.
-start with the basics and work your way up.
-getting certifications makes your resume look good.
-the health field will be going through a huge change in the next 5 to 10 years. Security and networking will be huge.
-start programming for fun to get used to it or else lol

Jiro, another thing. There are programming jobs in america. Americans don't see eye to eye with folks from india on ideas even though the programming is the same. Communication is key.
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same thing. it's all programming. Like I said many times in my posts - as long as you are flexible and adaptive... you can do anything. Don't limit yourself to one thing.

btw - lot of foreign programmers are usually proficient enough in English. They know their work very well so it doesn't take much explaining for them to do what you want. They get the job done fast and cheap.
 
Jiro said:
same thing. it's all programming. Like I said many times in my posts - as long as you are flexible and adaptive... you can do anything. Don't limit yourself to one thing.

btw - lot of foreign programmers are usually proficient enough in English. They know their work very well so it doesn't take much explaining for them to do what you want. They get the job done fast and cheap.
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Cheap? No shit sherlock. There are programming jobs out there. When 85% of software applications fail, it is important to work as a team, hence why some american programming jobs are important to software industry growth.

Seriously, I know the realities of programming jobs and there will always be jobs in that sector in america. Quit giving this bleak outlook of it. Sure its true but not that true in the sense that we are shipping all of it to india.

Sheesh.

-foxrac, avoid software gaming, it'll be very very hard to break that market. Nothing wrong with knowing many languages and having a 9 to 5 job.
 
ChocolateMILK said:
Cheap? No shit sherlock. There are programming jobs out there. When 85% of software applications fail, it is important to work as a team, hence why some american programming jobs are important to software industry growth.

Seriously, I know the realities of programming jobs and there will always be jobs in that sector in america. Quit giving this bleak outlook of it. Sure its true but not that true in the sense that we are shipping all of it to india.

Sheesh.

-foxrac, avoid software gaming, it'll be very very hard to break that market. Nothing wrong with knowing many languages and having a 9 to 5 job.
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American workforce is shifting to managerial/labor positions
 
I'm looking for a gaming programmer.

PM me for details.

Please be prepared to show you have 10 years experience before you PM me.
 
ChocolateMILK said:
Jiro, I cannot believe you have not mentioned anything about the smart phone market. That is the future of personal computing. Right now smart phones only occupy 10 to 15 percent of the phone market and it is increasing dramatically each year. Making a phone applications, if successfully done, can make you some money. The droid-iphone battle is just heating up. Not to mention ms is coming out with their own phone operating system too.

This is what you need to know foxrac,
- there is a turnover in the field of programming. What's new now could be old in a few years. Old programmers are left for newer ones. Managers, often with little programming exp, make the big bucks.
-network and get to know people. That's how you get jobs.
-start with the basics and work your way up.
-getting certifications makes your resume look good.
-the health field will be going through a huge change in the next 5 to 10 years. Security and networking will be huge.
-start programming for fun to get used to it or else lol

Jiro, another thing. There are programming jobs in america. Americans don't see eye to eye with folks from india on ideas even though the programming is the same. Communication is key.
Click to expand...

ChocolateMILK said:
Cheap? No shit sherlock. There are programming jobs out there. When 85% of software applications fail, it is important to work as a team, hence why some american programming jobs are important to software industry growth.

Seriously, I know the realities of programming jobs and there will always be jobs in that sector in america. Quit giving this bleak outlook of it. Sure its true but not that true in the sense that we are shipping all of it to india.

Sheesh.

-foxrac, avoid software gaming, it'll be very very hard to break that market. Nothing wrong with knowing many languages and having a 9 to 5 job.
Click to expand...

Oh interesting, I'm going avoid to study in gaming programming for now due because of learned from you and few other members about their job role and relocation in programming, also I heard about programming have crunch time.

I feel bad for college graduates with degree in computer science and have no or little programming job experience. :(

I learned about if games are sold so poorly then gaming companies will be likely to shut down the division or lay their employees off.
 
ChocolateMILK said:
- there is a turnover in the field of programming. What's new now could be old in a few years. Old programmers are left for newer ones. Managers, often with little programming exp, make the big bucks.
Click to expand...

That's why I gave up programmer and I tried of learn new everything then FORGET what you learned in time to time.

-network and get to know people. That's how you get jobs
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That's how I got job thru friend at Chicago and I got other job thru family's friend at QC. The network is key.

-start with the basics and work your way up.
-getting certifications makes your resume look good.
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I already have a lot skill for computer but I had go to college to get certification quick and it was pretty easy for me.

Communication is key.
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That's BIG problem for communication since I am full Deaf and I can't lip read or speak very well. Some of customers were too selfish to write down on the paper or type on the computer and they keeps speak, speak, speak which I keeps point to the paper or computer. I can't stand with that anymore. Later, they complained to company about communication problem which was not FAIR for Deaf.

Foxrac said:
Oh interesting, I'm going avoid to study in gaming programming for now due because of learned from you and few other members about their job role and relocation in programming, also I heard about programming have crunch time.

I feel bad for college graduates with degree in computer science and have no or little programming job experience. :(

I learned about if games are sold so poorly then gaming companies will be likely to shut down the division or lay their employees off.
Click to expand...

Again, All depends on people. I suggest you to make a new friend at college or anywhere who IT/programmer that allow you to find a job easy.
 
Foxrac, go into Security or Networking. Both have as much job openings as programming, if not more.

Here's an real life example:

My brother graduated with undergrad. degree in finance about 1 to 1.5 years ago. It was extremely hard for him to find a job so he had to reinvent himself. What he ended up doing was getting some networking certifications and viola, he got hired as a IT consultant from a small firm (it didn't pay well but who cares, it's a job).

My whole point is, is that all you need is the will power to get to where you want. Can't find a programming job? Go get your A+, CCNA, and a whole host of other certifications to make yourself more 'marketable' than the next guy.

*edit* @Highlander, I'd liked to add that I am hard of hearing and can speak well (for a HoH guy that is). I don't know ASL. You are in a unfortunate situation when that happens of when communication is key. Foxrac, are you HoH or Deaf?

I'm not ganna lie but Deaf people can have a tough time finding a job than a hearing person.
 
ChocolateMILK said:
Foxrac, go into Security or Networking. Both have as much job openings as programming, if not more.

Here's an real life example:

My brother graduated with undergrad. degree in finance about 1 to 1.5 years ago. It was extremely hard for him to find a job so he had to reinvent himself. What he ended up doing was getting some networking certifications and viola, he got hired as a IT consultant from a small firm (it didn't pay well but who cares, it's a job).

My whole point is, is that all you need is the will power to get to where you want. Can't find a programming job? Go get your A+, CCNA, and a whole host of other certifications to make yourself more 'marketable' than the next guy.

*edit* @Highlander, I'd liked to add that I am hard of hearing and can speak well (for a HoH guy that is). I don't know ASL. You are in a unfortunate situation when that happens of when communication is key. Foxrac, are you HoH or Deaf?

I'm not ganna lie but Deaf people can have a tough time finding a job than a hearing person.
Click to expand...

I'm profoundly deaf and heavily depends on ASL, write and typing.
 
ChocolateMILK said:
Foxrac, go into Security or Networking. Both have as much job openings as programming, if not more.

Here's an real life example:

My brother graduated with undergrad. degree in finance about 1 to 1.5 years ago. It was extremely hard for him to find a job so he had to reinvent himself. What he ended up doing was getting some networking certifications and viola, he got hired as a IT consultant from a small firm (it didn't pay well but who cares, it's a job).

My whole point is, is that all you need is the will power to get to where you want. Can't find a programming job? Go get your A+, CCNA, and a whole host of other certifications to make yourself more 'marketable' than the next guy.

*edit* @Highlander, I'd liked to add that I am hard of hearing and can speak well (for a HoH guy that is). I don't know ASL. You are in a unfortunate situation when that happens of when communication is key. Foxrac, are you HoH or Deaf?

I'm not ganna lie but Deaf people can have a tough time finding a job than a hearing person.
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which is why they should make themselves more marketable than others.
 
:) I will start my own little business someday and I already have a dream to expand the business. Those days are unknown date.
 
I forgot to mention that you have to take up Project Management (that you have to use Microsoft Office Project).
 
MDCodeRedFreak said:
I forgot to mention that you have to take up Project Management (that you have to use Microsoft Office Project).
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To work in an IT field? No you don't. I've been working as a software developer for 3-4 years now. Never took any kind of project management class, and I've never seen anyone from any company I've worked at use "MS Office Project", whatever that is.
 
StSapphire said:
To work in an IT field? No you don't. I've been working as a software developer for 3-4 years now. Never took any kind of project management class, and I've never seen anyone from any company I've worked at use "MS Office Project", whatever that is.
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For *my* IT curriculum, I had to take that class. It is a part of managing IT, and haven't you heard of MS Office Project? It's a project management software solution created by MS themselves - that utilizes the Gantt charts - that is a part of the Office system (like Visio - a diagramming solution) but is not included in any of the suites, like Office Home and Student, Office Basic, Office Professional, etc.

There are MANY computer-related curriculums at most universities ... like yours, which is software engineering and development. You mght have taken COBOL classes, but *I* didn't because it's not a part of the IT curriculum. VB, C++, Java, web page design, and database management are (and I hate it!). I'm more skilled at networking and network administering.
 
MDCodeRedFreak said:
For *my* IT curriculum, I had to take that class. It is a part of managing IT, and haven't you heard of MS Office Project? It's a project management software solution created by MS themselves - that utilizes the Gantt charts - that is a part of the Office system (like Visio - a diagramming solution) but is not included in any of the suites, like Office Home and Student, Office Basic, Office Professional, etc.

There are MANY computer-related curriculums at most universities ... like yours, which is software engineering and development. You mght have taken COBOL classes, but *I* didn't because it's not a part of the IT curriculum. VB, C++, Java, web page design, and database management are (and I hate it!). I'm more skilled at networking and network administering.
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I've worked for universities and major corporation. we've never used MS Office Project or Visio either.

Gantt chart? you can do that by hand or excel :)

if you do project management in real life - you will see that using MS Office Project or Visio is a colossal waste of time. You waste more time on trying to make it look nice than actually getting the real tasks done. Project Management is all about people skill and technical knowledge/experience... not some management software.
 
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