College: Future Career (PC Programming/Support/Engineering)

Coldkilla

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2004
3,944
0
71
I'm going into my college for "Computer Science", however, I'm already looking ahead into what "Field" I want to go into. There's 1000s of webmasters, 1000s of jobs that people have taken up, and get paid 'okay', but not what I'm aiming for. What I'm looking for, is a job in the PC field that's is or is going to be in a high demand for, but low supply, rightfully a higher paying job too, but i do live in reality and no 2 million a year job, awaits me.. I heard something about a C&C programmer, or programmer in the medical field.

My college doesn't have any "Engineering" courses this year, (99% chance engineering degree will be next year), and that also had me thinking about that path as well. I would love to be a software engineer, but instead of "hoping" to land that perfect job and "gain rank" in an office building, I want to find my self where there's no one else to fill that job void but me.

A friend of mine, (He's 54, I'm 18-- He's been my dad's guitarist for 19 years, so - a friend), he said that this industrial job he used to work at, there was this "C&C programmer" that programed the robot arms that built these gigantic things, he was a stoner, called in sick 3-4 times a week.. because he know they couldn't fire him because there was no one else that has his knowledge. Now I'm not saying I want to be a stoner/lazy/idiot, I'm focused on the "short supply" jobs, that people will pay money for.

I hear the medical field is exploding now with demand, however, are more programmers heading that direction anyway? To say that supply shortage will be filled soon?

I know I keep bringing up programming, and like I said.. I'd like to have some kinda goal out of college, I'm just not sure that programming is for me. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love computers/math/and the satisfaction of working on something forever, and finally getting it to work. I've built and rebuilt over 17 computers, and hate electrical 'lingo' so I could never go into hardware engineering. But even though I don't know what exactly I want to go in for, I'm still wondering about the outlook for someone with my education (Going for a major, and dead set on it). All these websites talk about the medical field and whatnot, but from the people I'm around find that that isn't the only real shortage there is, or will be in the near future.

So, as for what I should focus on, your thoughts?
 

yllus

Elite Member & Lifer
Aug 20, 2000
20,577
432
126
Software developers - quality ones - are in fact in rather short supply.

What do I mean by "quality ones"? Well, start by noting I didn't say "programmers", I said "software developers". A programmer takes an order to write procedures and whatnot and does just that. A software developer takes a business requirement, translates it into the realms of computerese and answers back to management about what can and can't be done, and for what cost. He can speak in multiple languages: In high-level overviewese with non-technical people, in engineer-precise terms with other developers, and finally in code itself. He is a candidate to move up.

Building/rebuilding computers, like programming, is chimp's work. If not outsourced or drummed down into low-level work yet, it soon will be. But software developers will be needed in North America forever. If you can do that job, stick around in the field.
 

Coldkilla

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2004
3,944
0
71
Alright, so I'm starting my new life in college. I'll really look into software developing and see how that is compaired to some of the other things. I don't have any business classes my first semester, however, I was thinking about it soon down the line. I'll definatly check out software developing.
 

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
Originally posted by: yllus
Software developers - quality ones - are in fact in rather short supply.

What do I mean by "quality ones"? Well, start by noting I didn't say "programmers", I said "software developers". A programmer takes an order to write procedures and whatnot and does just that. A software developer takes a business requirement, translates it into the realms of computerese and answers back to management about what can and can't be done, and for what cost. He can speak in multiple languages: In high-level overviewese with non-technical people, in engineer-precise terms with other developers, and finally in code itself. He is a candidate to move up.

Building/rebuilding computers, like programming, is chimp's work. If not outsourced or drummed down into low-level work yet, it soon will be. But software developers will be needed in North America forever. If you can do that job, stick around in the field.
That sounds pretty accurate.

To the OP: Doing something like CS + Biomedical will be a great advantage as well, not to mention maybe a little more interesting.
 

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
14,374
1
0
Originally posted by: Coldkilla
I heard something about a C&C programmer....A friend of mine, (He's 54, I'm 18-- He's been my dad's guitarist for 19 years, so - a friend), he said that this industrial job he used to work at, there was this "C&C programmer" that programed the robot arms that built these gigantic things, he was a stoner, c


It's "CNC"- Computer Numerical Control

A CNC programmer is more of a machinist than a computer programmer.

My dad is a machinist and he writes the CNC programs for the CNC lathe they have at work. You don't necessarily get paid a lot for doing that.



 

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
14,374
1
0
You should know that NOTHING is future proof in a capitalist society. If someone is making a ton of money doing something, someone else will be willing to do the same job for slightly less, in order to get work. Eventually everything will work itself down until there is no incentive to do it for any less.

 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
13,968
2
0
Originally posted by: yllus
Software developers - quality ones - are in fact in rather short supply.

What do I mean by "quality ones"? Well, start by noting I didn't say "programmers", I said "software developers". A programmer takes an order to write procedures and whatnot and does just that. A software developer takes a business requirement, translates it into the realms of computerese and answers back to management about what can and can't be done, and for what cost. He can speak in multiple languages: In high-level overviewese with non-technical people, in engineer-precise terms with other developers, and finally in code itself. He is a candidate to move up.

Building/rebuilding computers, like programming, is chimp's work. If not outsourced or drummed down into low-level work yet, it soon will be. But software developers will be needed in North America forever. If you can do that job, stick around in the field.

Very well said. Anyone wanting to be successful in this industry should absolutely take everything said above to heart.
 

jaybert

Diamond Member
Mar 6, 2001
3,523
0
0
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
You should know that NOTHING is future proof in a capitalist society. If someone is making a ton of money doing something, someone else will be willing to do the same job for slightly less, in order to get work. Eventually everything will work itself down until there is no incentive to do it for any less.

true. if you want something FULL PROOF, go into a career like nursing, or other "service" type of industries....not very possible to get waited on a restaurant by someone at a call center 3000 miles away, or to ship an injured patient to China to be cared for.
 

NanoStuff

Banned
Mar 23, 2006
2,981
1
0
Nothing is future proof. The robots are coming and they will take each and every one of your jobs!

The best thing you can do right now is write a book about how much you love robots. Maybe then they will at least spare your life.
 

txrandom

Diamond Member
Aug 15, 2004
3,773
0
71
I'm doing Computer Engineering: Electrical Engineering Track at Texas A&M, I was originally going to do the Computer Science track but all the talk of outsourcing of programming made me decide to move. As stated above Computer Science doesn't just mean programming, but that wasn't something I knew when I changed to electrical engineering.

When you get to college, attend job fairs, career centers, department meetings, and all those types of thing. You should be able to get a lot of information on what exactly you can do with your degree, what you can make, etc. I'm in my second week in college and have no idea how my degree translate into a career, so I plan on going to all of the above.
 

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
14,374
1
0
Originally posted by: jaybert
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
You should know that NOTHING is future proof in a capitalist society. If someone is making a ton of money doing something, someone else will be willing to do the same job for slightly less, in order to get work. Eventually everything will work itself down until there is no incentive to do it for any less.

true. if you want something FULL PROOF, go into a career like nursing, or other "service" type of industries....not very possible to get waited on a restaurant by someone at a call center 3000 miles away, or to ship an injured patient to China to be cared for.


Actually, when the last nursing shortage hit, they shipped in thousands of nurses from the Philippines, which lowered the average wage.
 

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
14,374
1
0
All I can recommend to you students is to major in business.

No company is going to look badly at you because you majored in business, even if that's not your specialty. If you get your degree in something that becomes irrelevant, it can work against you.

Pick the boring middle ground.
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
The most time-indepent career is philosophy.

It paid pretty bad in the time of Socrates (death + no dental) and it still pays pretty bady right now, and will probably pay really badly in the end.


 

thepd7

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2005
9,423
0
0
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
All I can recommend to you students is to major in business.

No company is going to look badly at you because you majored in business, even if that's not your specialty. If you get your degree in something that becomes irrelevant, it can work against you.

Pick the boring middle ground.

LOL are you serious? Every intelligent person I know looks down on people who get an undergrad degree is business. MBA is a different story, or an undergrad in business at UT, Harvard, UPenn, thats different, but your average run of the mill bachelor's in business? Cop out degree, at least what what I have heard.

<------------- Electrical Engineering major
 

postmortemIA

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2006
7,721
40
91
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
All I can recommend to you students is to major in business.

No company is going to look badly at you because you majored in business, even if that's not your specialty. If you get your degree in something that becomes irrelevant, it can work against you.

Pick the boring middle ground.

Why would he want to major in something that he has no desire for? This is rather bad advice. Everybody should strive for what they do the best and enjoy the most.

For OP, I think you are in illusion what is CS (Computer Science) about. CS is not about programming - programming is end step that you can do yourself once you have all foundations learned, and I am speaking of theory with lots of math.
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: postmortemIA
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
All I can recommend to you students is to major in business.

No company is going to look badly at you because you majored in business, even if that's not your specialty. If you get your degree in something that becomes irrelevant, it can work against you.

Pick the boring middle ground.

Why would he want to major in something that he has no desire for? This is rather bad advice. Everybody should strive for what they do the best and enjoy the most.

For OP, I think you are in illusion what is CS (Computer Science) about. CS is not about programming - programming is end step that you can do yourself once you have all foundations learned, and I am speaking of theory with lots of math.

To live rich and sad or to live por and happy:)

no question about it:)
 

Svnla

Lifer
Nov 10, 2003
17,986
1,388
126
CS with biometric/security/network is good. If you can work well between <liason> upper management and techies, you will be fine.
 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
13,968
2
0
Originally posted by: thepd7
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
All I can recommend to you students is to major in business.

No company is going to look badly at you because you majored in business, even if that's not your specialty. If you get your degree in something that becomes irrelevant, it can work against you.

Pick the boring middle ground.

LOL are you serious? Every intelligent person I know looks down on people who get an undergrad degree is business. MBA is a different story, or an undergrad in business at UT, Harvard, UPenn, thats different, but your average run of the mill bachelor's in business? Cop out degree, at least what what I have heard.

<------------- Electrical Engineering major

Once you grow up and join the real world you'll realize that no one really cares.
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: Descartes
Originally posted by: thepd7
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
All I can recommend to you students is to major in business.

No company is going to look badly at you because you majored in business, even if that's not your specialty. If you get your degree in something that becomes irrelevant, it can work against you.

Pick the boring middle ground.

LOL are you serious? Every intelligent person I know looks down on people who get an undergrad degree is business. MBA is a different story, or an undergrad in business at UT, Harvard, UPenn, thats different, but your average run of the mill bachelor's in business? Cop out degree, at least what what I have heard.

<------------- Electrical Engineering major

Once you grow up and join the real world you'll realize that no one really cares.

but I know differential equations:(

:D
 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
13,968
2
0
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: Descartes
Originally posted by: thepd7
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
All I can recommend to you students is to major in business.

No company is going to look badly at you because you majored in business, even if that's not your specialty. If you get your degree in something that becomes irrelevant, it can work against you.

Pick the boring middle ground.

LOL are you serious? Every intelligent person I know looks down on people who get an undergrad degree is business. MBA is a different story, or an undergrad in business at UT, Harvard, UPenn, thats different, but your average run of the mill bachelor's in business? Cop out degree, at least what what I have heard.

<------------- Electrical Engineering major

Once you grow up and join the real world you'll realize that no one really cares.

but I know differential equations:(

:D

:cookie: for you! :)
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: Descartes
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: Descartes
Originally posted by: thepd7
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
All I can recommend to you students is to major in business.

No company is going to look badly at you because you majored in business, even if that's not your specialty. If you get your degree in something that becomes irrelevant, it can work against you.

Pick the boring middle ground.

LOL are you serious? Every intelligent person I know looks down on people who get an undergrad degree is business. MBA is a different story, or an undergrad in business at UT, Harvard, UPenn, thats different, but your average run of the mill bachelor's in business? Cop out degree, at least what what I have heard.

<------------- Electrical Engineering major

Once you grow up and join the real world you'll realize that no one really cares.

but I know differential equations:(

:D

:cookie: for you! :)



I can't afford a :cookie: right now?

May I borrow yours?

*is shooed away by descartes*


so hungry:(
 

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
14,374
1
0
Originally posted by: thepd7


LOL are you serious? Every intelligent person I know looks down on people who get an undergrad degree is business. MBA is a different story, or an undergrad in business at UT, Harvard, UPenn, thats different, but your average run of the mill bachelor's in business? Cop out degree, at least what what I have heard.

<------------- Electrical Engineering major

Yes, I am serious, and electrical engineers were one of the first jobs to get outsourced to India, China, and third world countries.

A friend of mine has a brother in law in the Philippines that's an EE. He makes about $1000 a month over there. Can you compete with that price?

Think about it- what business requirement demands that the part be designed in the US? The parts have been made over there for quite some time now; outsourcing the engineering was the next logical step from an executive point of view

I know you're not willing to accept that since you're still in school for that subject, but it's the truth.
 

postmortemIA

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2006
7,721
40
91
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: thepd7


LOL are you serious? Every intelligent person I know looks down on people who get an undergrad degree is business. MBA is a different story, or an undergrad in business at UT, Harvard, UPenn, thats different, but your average run of the mill bachelor's in business? Cop out degree, at least what what I have heard.

<------------- Electrical Engineering major

Yes, I am serious, and electrical engineers were one of the first jobs to get outsourced to India, China, and third world countries.

A friend of mine has a brother in law in the Philippines that's an EE. He makes about $1000 a month over there. Can you compete with that price?

Think about it- what business requirement demands that the part be designed in the US? The parts have been made over there for quite some time now; outsourcing the engineering was the next logical step from an executive point of view

I know you're not willing to accept that since you're still in school for that subject, but it's the truth.

You are full of ******. "I know a friend of mine that his friend"..blah blah blah. How does that stand against this:
Computer and Electrical Es are ranked #2 and #3(after Chemical Engineers) per initial salary after graduation.
http://www.doe.mtu.edu/news/degree_worth.html

AFAIK, all computer science and engineering students in my generation secured job before graduation. These creative jobs will be always in high demand. Many people had sev eral offers to chose from. And note value of your degree. Engineering degrees are worth 35% more.