Job in computer programming or to do with computers

Seems like a Computer-Science major with a huge side-order of Computer Programming. If you think you're highly interesting in that, please, go for it. If I were you, carefully research the different sub-fields of computers. There's so many majors involving computers these days.. man. You can be a network administrator, watching out for traffic, who goes in and out of your network, controlling access. You can be a Disaster Recovery Planner, that sums up everything in and of itself, etc. Try doing regular Computer Science and see what you 'really' like. Computer Science is a very .. broad major that lets you explore your opportunities.

Personally, my weak-points are numbers and programming. I only enjoyed Networking because I got to program a router, but if it involves a computer, no thanks. I do enjoy simulating a WAN, and seeing how traffic gets transferred from one location to the next though. I learned so much during those past 2 years that I now started messing with my own home-router.

Thanks so much khoi. And everyone here. This is helping so much.

No problem, dude! I'm glad to help out a person that's willing to pursue a future in IT, haha.

Its funny, I'v gone through so much this year, I first wanted to pursue what I have always wanted to be.. a chef. Then i wanted to be an electrician. But im now leaning very heavily towards IT
And im pree sure im sticking with this path.

Happens, I originally wanted to do Game-programming, but it's probably boring or overly complicated.

Im deff looking forward to computer prog classes next semester.

Salary Information
2006 national mean bachelor-level starting salaries by job function:

Computer Programming $49,547
Consulting $54,143
Management Trainee $54,400
Network Administration $46,375
Sales $44,233
Software Design & Development $52,864
Systems Analysis & Design $51,753
Systems/Programming Engineering $47,695
Technical/Computer Support $47,500

Those figures seem really low to me. Took a look winter of 08 and those salaries jumped up at least $10k-$20k.

This is the computer programming analyst course.
I dont expect anyone here to read it all but just for confirmation on what im looking at.

Why not just skip that and go right to Computer Science?

college doesnt have just computer science.

But yeah, best of luck to you, dude! If you need anything, just let me know!

haha thanks, I just got into the computer science class today for gr12 (is in gr12 right now)

Oh yeah one last thing, how available are IT jobs in general?

haha thanks, I just got into the computer science class today for gr12 (is in gr12 right now)

Oh yeah one last thing, how available are IT jobs in general?

Very much so available, problem is getting a job. I don't have my Associate's yet, because well.. they're sending it to me, and I'll be receiving it some time this month or so. There are jobs for it everywhere, example:

-Telephone companies (helpdesk)
-Comcast (helpdesk and etc)
-Verizon (helpdesk)
-AT&T (helpdesk)
-Sprint (helpdesk)
-T mobile (helpdesk)

Reasons I listed helpdesk for all of those is because Help Desk is considered as IT. In fact, Help Desk is one of the easiest (yet can be boring) jobs you'll ever get. Assume there's a topology/hiearchy for phone lines. There's '5' lines for you to receive phone calls from, when one light blinks orange, you know it's an incoming call. You pick up the call, and the customer will say something along the lines of:

"Hi, my internet isn't working."

And you'll say "Well, can you tell me if your router is plugged in correctly? What about your modem? Also, is your computer turned on and plugged in?", if they say 'no', you try to help them. If they say yes to all of the above, you've done your task, and just transfer the call up to a level 2 help desk personel. Basically, as the level goes up, the more complicated the situation becomes, and the more advanced the person that CAN help is. This is just an example though, I'm sure not all Help Desk jobs are like this, and I only know this from talking to my professor. I know two friends right now with an Associate's that is currently doing Help Desk. I'm not sure if they love their job, but they like it, because they make quite a bit, just enough to maintain a decent income and buy some food, ya know?

If you mean a REAL IT-job, definitely look for a 4-years degree, because that sh't will really help. Associate's isn't much these days, because in 10 year's time, expectations will be significantly higher. I'd also recommend going for certain certifications.

yeah, after my 3 year in comp prog analyst i can transfer to a uni, which im very much looking at to refine my area of study even more.

haha thanks, I just got into the computer science class today for gr12 (is in gr12 right now)

Oh yeah one last thing, how available are IT jobs in general?

Khoi would know better than I would about "IT" jobs (help desk and such). Programming jobs, on the other hand... :-\ I graduated last May and haven't gotten a job yet. There aren't a whole lot of entry-level jobs and the ones that do exist require you have experience with several specific languages or frameworks. Job listings often contain a laundry list of acronyms. "Must have at least 3 years experience with JAVA, J2EE, HTML, XHTML, XML, Velocity, Java Script, " etc etc.

You will need a computer science degree to have any real chance of getting a programming job. It's possible without it, but many companies won't even consider you if you have the knowledge but not the degree.

Khoi would know better than I would about "IT" jobs (help desk and such). Programming jobs, on the other hand... :-\ I graduated last May and haven't gotten a job yet. There aren't a whole lot of entry-level jobs and the ones that do exist require you have experience with several specific languages or frameworks. Job listings often contain a laundry list of acronyms. "Must have at least 3 years experience with JAVA, J2EE, HTML, XHTML, XML, Velocity, Java Script, " etc etc.

You will need a computer science degree to have any real chance of getting a programming job. It's possible without it, but many companies won't even consider you if you have the knowledge but not the degree.

I'm going to have to agree with this. Most employers will want to see 'proof' that you went to school. Which is why they'll look to see if you have a degree. But wait up, not yet. I talked to my professors, and they said to also get some work in. Like, do some unpaid or paid internships, that way, it's considered as work-experience. Employers will definitely want to see if you worked. If you haven't worked in an IT field yet (like I am right now.. -_-), they will most likely deny you or ask that you take an internship at their place, or at a different place.

Yeah, the analyst course does internships. So hopefully that will help, this is kinda making me want to go into the other area of computers then. I will deff think on it

 Spoiler

CSTN Computer Systems Technician - Networking
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Are you "THE" person that your friends and family count on to fix computer problems? Georgian's program can turn an aptitude with computer systems into an opportunity for a lucrative career as a computer system professional.
What's Special

Under expert faculty guidance, you'll learn how to design, build, test and support computer systems and networks. Besides the hardware, you'll also gain valuable insight into the inner workings of software applications and databases. This dynamic program teaches the most current industry trends in class which is reinforced through practical field experience. The skills you'll learn in the two-year Computer Systems Technician Networking Diploma Program are vital in a wide variety of businesses and industries.
Careers

As a student in this program, you'll develop the skills needed to become a top notch defender in the security arena. Employers like the Department of National Defense are eager to place Georgian students in co-op terms in nearby CFB Base Borden where you'll be directly involved in various aspects of their security program. You'll be learning the skills for A+ certification, Linux + and Cisco. Computer systems grads can move on to the Computer Network and Systsem Security program.

oooh, this looks good aswell

It had Networking and CISCO in there. Ok, so I already know what you'll be doing. That's exactly that I was enrolled in, I was enrolled in classes to prepare me for the CCNA. CISCO is great.. no joke. Their expectations are VERY high though. I kid you not.

Then you'll be doing what I did, pretty much learning about LANs, WANs, routers, switches, how information travels from one network to another. The most important thing is IP-addressing (classes A, B, C) and subnetting. Subnetting is very difficult (imo), and one wrong move can mean network-failure. But the best thing about this would be network-simulation, I think you'll enjoy this if you like to 'explore' your major a bit. You'll be taking some very minor programming courses as well as hardware courses, but most of your courses = CISCO stuff.

If you're definitely doing that, let me know. I'll help you in any way that I can

EDIT: Just to give you a head's up on my courses up at uni that involves my current major:

-Visual Basic Programming
-Visual Basic Programming II
-Operating Systems Concepts
-Intro Web Dev & E-comm Techn
-Systems Analysis and Design
-Advanced Systems Analysis and Design
-Network Technology & Management (N+)
-Database Management System
-Project Management

And yes, all of these courses relates to my current major (Computer Information Systems), I'll be heading into my 3rd year. So this is what you should be expecting near your 2nd or 3rd year, I suppose.

It had Networking and CISCO in there. Ok, so I already know what you'll be doing. That's exactly that I was enrolled in, I was enrolled in classes to prepare me for the CCNA. CISCO is great.. no joke. Their expectations are VERY high though. I kid you not.

Then you'll be doing what I did, pretty much learning about LANs, WANs, routers, switches, how information travels from one network to another. The most important thing is IP-addressing (classes A, B, C) and subnetting. Subnetting is very difficult (imo), and one wrong move can mean network-failure. But the best thing about this would be network-simulation, I think you'll enjoy this if you like to 'explore' your major a bit. You'll be taking some very minor programming courses as well as hardware courses, but most of your courses = CISCO stuff.

If you're definitely doing that, let me know. I'll help you in any way that I can

EDIT: Just to give you a head's up on my courses up at uni that involves my current major:

-Visual Basic Programming
-Visual Basic Programming II
-Operating Systems Concepts
-Intro Web Dev & E-comm Techn
-Systems Analysis and Design
-Advanced Systems Analysis and Design
-Network Technology & Management (N+)
-Database Management System
-Project Management

And yes, all of these courses relates to my current major (Computer Information Systems), I'll be heading into my 3rd year. So this is what you should be expecting near your 2nd or 3rd year, I suppose.

Sounds great Im gunan start doing research tomorrow (its 12am right now)
-B> trans-server communication in maple so i can chat to you in scania-

Also, here are my current courses for this semester. These are all required courses, and this is technically my 6th semester, but it is my 1st semester at Robert Morris Uni.

-Principles of Sociology: 3 credit course, Tuesdays + Thursdays, 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
-Public Speaking and Persuasion: 3 credit course, Tuesdays + Thursdays, 12:30 PM - 01:45 PM
-Survey of Economics: 3 credit course, Thursdays only, 6:00 PM - 8:50 PM
-Visual Basic Programming: 3 credit course, Mondays only, 6:00 PM - 8:50 PM

Thursday would be my longest day. Driving from my town to uni takes about 20-25 mins on highway, yeeeep. I commute. I'm taking some of the more boring classes now to get it all over with. Apparently, at my university, it is required to take Calculus and Trigonometry, so I'll have to take that sooner or later. Sh't. Math is not my strong-points.

EDIT: Combined credits-count is 12 credits for this semester, which is considered as full-time. Only reason I didn't take 15-18 was because it's my first time at a "university", and I wanted to get a feel of it, and hopefully adapt to the atmosphere more. Once I get a better understanding of how things works, I'm planning on taking anywhere from 14-18 credits. I've done 18 credits before, it was a nightmare.