First a little background on me:
- Hey I am currently a college student (hopefully I will get my A.S. & A.A. in computer science in the summer of 2011 -yes, I am eligible for both due to the fact there was no A.S. in Computer Science when I started attending college consecutively in 2007, so why not?...haha)...
- I would really love to be a Software Engineer some day (I was originally thinking Systems Software Engineer, but Applications Software Engineer will still be great for me)...
- I have a lot of experience troubleshooting and fixing /repairing / building computers starting from when I was about 12 years old when I set up my first PC (not build, mind you) and I used to always mess with the computers in Elementary (figuring out how to exit the schools provided screen and getting to a regular desktop etc...)
-Now I do not have any of what you may call formal experience (I never had an actual job with computers)...I have a lot of warehouse job experience though...and lately I was getting worried that it will hold me back, because I do not know how to get into the job field....
- I would like to get a masters degree (in Computer Science), hopefully with honors if everything continues as it is. (currently a 3.4 Cumulative GPA...)
Some of my thoughts / ideas / questions:
+I was thinking of trying to get some kind of IT Tech or support job to start off in the field (though jobs are scarce right now, so that may have to wait at least until I get my degree)...Is that a good thought?
+I currently have some experience with Visual Basic .net, C, C++, IA32 Assembly and now have developed my first Android app in Java.
Now I really would like to be a Software Engineer one day, so how would you suggest I go about doing so? Do you have any advice / ideas / comments @ all for me? Could you in the field give me some tips or even tell me your story (short OR long, I would love to hear it either way) about how you got to where you are & your current thoughts about it (do you like it?, what would you have done different? How and Why ?)
-in advance: Thanks A LOT! I am sort-of worried about my situation because sometimes it gets a little discouraging and/or confusing on what to do to get where I want to be....
how come no one has responded? there seems to be many educated people here and I am sure someone has something to say... also I am sure there are many of you who happen to be in some type of IT field, I would like to hear from you all...
Please advise me, I am in need of a little advice and guidance...
Just one possibility:
Do a computer science degree and make sure you get a 2:1 or more. Work for a recognized (so your CV looks good) large IT consultancy for a couple+ of years working for lots of their clients so you get varied experience. If you can, get some Finance (in combination with your IT experience) experience there. Learn a language that's particularly commercial (I recommend C# combined with your C++ - plus other areas of Microsoft .Net - asp.net, win forms, smart clients, full n-tier development, full life cycle development). Then go IT contacting where the real money is - with C++ and C# and Finance you'll be able to get the best paid contracts - assuming you're personable and committed too.
Does that help?
My advice, get a real job.....Software Engineers are a dime a dozen.
corrie said:
My advice, get a real job.....Software Engineers are a dime a dozen.
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+1, i've met too many software engineers in college, and that is the main reason why i stay away from the computer field (i'm a biomechanical undergradate student, specializing in auto design or biomedical engineering)
1.) you need to go higher than an associate's degree, i suggest going for a bachelores in computer science than maybe some experience before going to get your masters, if you're lucky maybe your company will pay for your tuition
2.) specialize, as said theres too many software engineers in this world, therefore you have to specialize.
3.) engineering is the combination of art and science remember that
4.) for a tech job, since you're still a student with no real work experience in the computer field, i suggest getting certification such as A+ certification
5.) always have a backup plan, i was thinking network security personally since i like tinkering with things lol
d k of the new add for breaking its still up no more, whaaaatttt?
Danni3 said:
+1, i've met too many software engineers in college, and that is the main reason why i stay away from the computer field (i'm a biomechanical undergradate student, specializing in auto design or biomedical engineering)
1.) you need to go higher than an associate's degree, i suggest going for a bachelores in computer science than maybe some experience before going to get your masters, if you're lucky maybe your company will pay for your tuition
2.) specialize, as said theres too many software engineers in this world, therefore you have to specialize.
3.) engineering is the combination of art and science remember that
4.) for a tech job, since you're still a student with no real work experience in the computer field, i suggest getting certification such as A+ certification
5.) always have a backup plan, i was thinking network security personally since i like tinkering with things lol
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wow that is discouraging...
I am actually planning on going higher than an Associates degree for sure, hopefully a masters, but if not then a bachelors at the least...
hmm, now you have me thinking... should I really try to go for something else? I was excited thinking about being a software engineer ...
erebusting said:
wow that is discouraging...
I am actually planning on going higher than an Associates degree for sure, hopefully a masters, but if not then a bachelors at the least...
hmm, now you have me thinking... should I really try to go for something else? I was excited thinking about being a software engineer ...
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I'm not saying that you shouldn't become a software engineer, but i'm just implying that they're not in high demand currently. But that could be said about any job, you just have to be very good at what you do and you'll find a job in no time =P
I'm suggesting that you specialize in something a bit more specific than software engineer, just like there are specializations of mechanical engineering (auto,aerospace,bioengineering,energy systems... etc) that way you can still do what you love (programming i assume) but to a more specific goal.
The reason i tell you to get higher than an associates (2 years) is because the average job now a days require atleast a bachelors degree. My Mom, a tiny little asian women, has a computer science degree and works for the government, its about 60k starting and shes been there for a few years so now she makes just under 80k ;] but you need atleast a 3.0 gpa and a bachelor degree
http://www.earnmydegree.com/online-education/learning-center/education-value.html
just look at the difference in salary!
don't worry about what degree to get either, you can complete all of your undergraduate studies before you have to choose a major, thats about two years of undergrad study
thanks for that advice...
I currently have over a 3.0 which I am trying to maintain...
I am in California, where seems to be a dense pack of tech jobs around (am I wrong though?)...
Also, I have not looked at many colleges around and what specific section of computer science they specialize in, after I do that though- I will have an Idea of what programming I want to specialize in (any ideas of what may be popular?)...
I know theres like robotics programming, gaming programming, and there are others I am not too aware of which I will have to look into....
Hey I just want to say I appreciate each and every comment here, it really helps chatting about it with you all...
I do look forward to more comments also from different people, I know things aren't the same for everyone and maybe some others have views on a different side of the story...idk, but thanks so far!!
Or basically a developer in general.
I know XDA probably gets a helluva lot of these threads regularly, but bare with me.
No I am not a script kiddy. Rather, I'm looking for somewhat of a career advice.
So please don't simply say: Learn C and Java.
That is already an imperative for me.
Here's the deal.
I'm in my final year of my schooling life, Year 12, and next year I will probably begin University (or what the U.S call College).
Important decisions need to be made, like what courses I want to do, what subjects I should take.
Now my ultimate goal in life (not really but you get what I mean) is to be able to do anything to my device.
Like when I was following the PSP dev community, it was incredible. Custom firmwares, homebrew, plugins, exploits etc.
It was awesome. And I want to be able to help and give back to the community.
And I also want to be independent.
Like if theres a bug or something I don't have to rely on the developer to fix it.
For example, my current rom has a random reboot problem.
I want to be able to find and fix the problem myself and add new features and stuff.
That's my ultimate aim.
To be able to legitimately own my devices to such a degree.
Currently my skill resides in web-based javascript, which isn't even legitimate javascript (not in my eyes at least).
I've done some programming courses at school and one year I did Pascal which helped me to get a basic idea of programming functions, like loops and basic practice etc.
But it still doesn't really help me with the two big languages C (#/++) and Java that I have yet to start learning.
Anyways, there's a point to this I promise.
There are 3 courses that I'm interested in Software Engineering, Advanced Computing and Computer Science.
I've looked at the course descriptions and they still all sound the same to me. Although Advanced Computing seems to be more Mathematical based.
But yea, I'm not sure which one will help me achieve my said aim.
Do you guys have any basic career advice? Better yet, any career advice that could relate to my situation?
Are any of you in University/College right now? What courses are you studying?
Perhaps you've already graduated and you're currently an employed developer or something. What courses did you take to get there?
I'm sure XDA isn't one of the best places to ask this kinda thing; heck I bet the first comment will be someone saying how this is in the wrong section or something.
But yea. I just want to help and contribute back to the community.
Legitimate advice is more than welcome.
Trolls and attention ____s please exit to the left.
Closed
Wrong section
I would love to get into App Development, but at heart I'm just not a programmer.
Preferably, I don't want to go to school and bet a Bachelor in Computer Science. That is time and money that I can't commit, especially already having a full time web development job. What I would love to do is take a credible online course (there are no local programs in the area to teach me exactly what I need). Does anyone know of such a thing?I only need the right direction to start the programming and recently got to this 1 of iphone and Ipad app development course (wiziq.com/course/13599-professional-android-app-development-training-1-on-1-sessions), wonder this will work or not as I haven't got enough info regarding these online courses.
Does anyone build apps for the iPhone? How did you start out?
I'm 35 years old. I don't have a college degree but I love the concept of coding/programming. I've read through a handful of Java books and I've built a small Java game but I know this is not enough to get me in the industry. I don't want to go back to school nor waste time with certifications so having said that, what is the best way to get started as an Android developer? I've had someone suggest that I just begin watching online tutorials on how to build apps and when I reach the point of being able to do it on my own, from front to back, that's when I'll be ready to apply for jobs. Please confirm whether or not this is feasible.
Thank you!
Recently I decided to start online school this coming January . With my work schedule, ( 12 hour swing shifts ) it's pretty much the only way possible. I wanted to go into computer programming. It was brought to my attention recently that, that is a skill better self taught. And that there are more lucrative diplomas in college to peruse. So my question is, what are yaw opinions on what is best ? More financially promising, or get my foot in the door to self teach more to do with software. Im new to this site and am not trying to cross the boundary between what is allowed and personal gain. I've talked to alot of people I consider intelligent, and am basically seeking a last turn of advice. Feel free to p.m me and discuss anything. From internet security to software development, all the way to another door I met not have considered . Any advice is appreciated.
Whyaintyoudeadyet said:
Recently I decided to start online school this coming January . With my work schedule, ( 12 hour swing shifts ) it's pretty much the only way possible. I wanted to go into computer programming. It was brought to my attention recently that, that is a skill better self taught. And that there are more lucrative diplomas in college to peruse. So my question is, what are yaw opinions on what is best ? More financially promising, or get my foot in the door to self teach more to do with software. Im new to this site and am not trying to cross the boundary between what is allowed and personal gain. I've talked to alot of people I consider intelligent, and am basically seeking a last turn of advice. Feel free to p.m me and discuss anything. From internet security to software development, all the way to another door I met not have considered . Any advice is appreciated.
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Hi,
This is a really interesting question, you're not crossing any boundaries, you've posted at the right place.
So you're considering attending college courses online, to finally get a diploma and a job if I'm correct.
To me, it is true that programming is "better" self-taught, and this is what XDA is all about. And by self taught I mean that you can browse YouTube for content creators that'll explain your very well, or much better than some ****ty school that make you pay 10 grands and don't know how to teach anything.
But if you're searching a job, you'll have a lot less chances if you self-teach, because what a company wants are guarantees: a diploma, and if you compete for the job with two other guy with degrees, you'll be in a delicate situation. So if you want a job, it would be better to attend college courses.
And for the job choice, it's up to you, what do you want to dedicate your life to? If you chose to study Computer Science, you'll make it your job. If you self teach, you'll be considered like an "amateur", and less chances to find a job. There are always more lucrative options, but you won't be happy making a job you don't like.
Hope this helped. Good luck