computer science degree?

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: theknight571
Depends on where you are, I suppose.

I had no problem finding a job after graduating in '93.

However, when I got laid off last year, it took me 6 months to find a new job... and I ended up taking a large pay cut to get it.

I'm in the Detroit / SE Michigan area.

Found your problem.

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: narreth
whoa @ 2.3gpa and getting a job offer O_O

GPA is extremely overrated. Most jobs I've applied to don't even ask - and the one that did, still gave me an offer (I had a 2.8)

While this is true, I do know many companies that cut off at 3.0. As in, really cut off. I had a 3.55 and I didn't get an interview for one Raytheon position because of GPA. I got an interview later through a contact and rocked it hence getting an offer but GPA really did keep me out from that job (they took top 25% of applicants).

Oh and yes you are right about GPA not mattering if you can get an interview and have people skills, however the problem comes when you can't even get the interview.

And at great companies they don't need any more qualified people applying, they get plenty of great applicants with >3.0 so they have their pick of the litter anyways.

Honestly, if you are not at a top-tier school and you can't swing a 3.0, dang. I love my school but it is definitely not top tier, I pulled a 3.5 working every year and having a blast. Anyone with <3.0 just didn't try.

 

[Wreckem]

Originally posted by: sdifox
Lol, now there is a glut since a lot of people enrolled just before the internet bubble burst.

There is a glut of incomptent CS majors yes, however there is a shortage of comptent CS majors, and advanced degree CS majors.

 

[Wreckem]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: SillyOReilly
Move to India and you'll find plenty of work.

Actually not true anymore. It got saturated there and many Corporations pulled back ( that accent was just never overcome).

Many Corporations are now setting up shop on the northeast coast of Africa since they are running fiber optic lines from the Middle East.

Africans in that area apparently speak very good english.

In doesn't hurt that they will work for 25 cents an hour either.

Most of the former British colonies in Africa speak far better english than most americans. And they all seem to have a very neutral/slight British accent..

 

[0roo0roo]

well its not just the accent, apparently personal information doesn't stay personal very long once it goes over seas buying information is easy... great for identity theft i doubt it 'l be much better in africa

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: MrChad
We've had trouble finding strong programmer talent out of college in the last year or so. I would say it depends the area in which you're looking. New York and Washington D.C. are strong markets for programmers. Just remember, the market is looking for folks who have talent beyond just coding. You need strong communication and analytical skills to be successful.

That is good advice

Originally posted by: LS21

Originally posted by: narreth
If I do Electrical Engineering/Computer Engineering would I still be employable in the software development industry?

absolutely

plus, your eece degree affords more flexibility than a cs degree

Exactly....I am a CSE and an EE within the 5 years of school and side work....I had developed immense experience in the areas of Software development, Circuit Design, System's Analysis, Computer Hardware, Operating Systems, Robotics.......up to a level that sometimes when I think about the depth and breadth of my Software and Hardware knowledge.....I scare myself....I even produced several patents in areas where software and hardware mix.

So definitely go for the double major......you are guaranteeing yourself a good job if you work hard and dedicate yourself to achieving your dreams....and I can never emphasize this enough.....start your own projects on the side.....you need a piece of software....force yourself to make it instead of buying it / getting it........there is a device you want/need.....you would like to automate something around your house......don't go to BB, try to challenge yourself make it yourself.....that's how you gain knowledge truly.

Oh and let's not forget about internships, as many have mentioned they are a key to success. I did coops....I was obliged to do 3...I did 4....(actually finishing the 4th one as I speak).....extra experience is tantamount to your success as an Engineer......

As Deeko mentioned, don't obsess yourself with GPA and school work....all of that means sht (ask those who mentioned they where hiring others) if you have a bad personality and or have no creativity and or built skills....they will not take you in.....matter of fact in my later years...I stopped giving a crap about my GPA (right now it's sitting at a 3.1~ and going down) because I needed to dedicate more time to external projects rather than just schoolwork.....and boy did those projects pay off in experience and money. However....keep in mind that a good GPA will

Originally posted by: QurazyQuisp
....My GPA just helped me get in the door.

so don't neglect it either.....but I have worked my extracurricular experience and networking skills so well....that had I had a freaking 2.0 GPA I would be able to get the Job I want through my resume and what it says of me.....good experiences will wow your interviewer much more than a GPA would, so keep a fair balance of all things in your mind and you will not fail in the future.


Good Luck OP

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Oh, and regarding working in the Netherlands (and other European countries):

Several sites

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: thepd7

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: narreth
whoa @ 2.3gpa and getting a job offer O_O

GPA is extremely overrated. Most jobs I've applied to don't even ask - and the one that did, still gave me an offer (I had a 2.8)

While this is true, I do know many companies that cut off at 3.0. As in, really cut off. I had a 3.55 and I didn't get an interview for one Raytheon position because of GPA. I got an interview later through a contact and rocked it hence getting an offer but GPA really did keep me out from that job (they took top 25% of applicants).

Oh and yes you are right about GPA not mattering if you can get an interview and have people skills, however the problem comes when you can't even get the interview.

And at great companies they don't need any more qualified people applying, they get plenty of great applicants with >3.0 so they have their pick of the litter anyways.

Honestly, if you are not at a top-tier school and you can't swing a 3.0, dang. I love my school but it is definitely not top tier, I pulled a 3.5 working every year and having a blast. Anyone with <3.0 just didn't try.

See, that's the thing.....having a high GPA doesn't necessarily make you "the pick of the litter". Any company that things GPA translates to real-world performance is, well, wrong.

I didn't get a 3.0 because I worked 30+ hours a week (at my previous internships part time while in classes, so relevant work), was both a player & the president of my school's volleyball team, was on the executive council of my fraternity, did community service every weekend, oh, and was on a senior design team that won more awards than any other in school history. And yes, I maintained an active social life. Sorry if that meant my calculus homework was neglected, I am such a slacker!

As I said above - there are some companies that will deny you an interview out of college because of your GPA. But there are many, many others - including many of the top-tier companies - that don't give a damn. Hence, GPA doesn't really matter.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: thepd7

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: narreth
whoa @ 2.3gpa and getting a job offer O_O

GPA is extremely overrated. Most jobs I've applied to don't even ask - and the one that did, still gave me an offer (I had a 2.8)

While this is true, I do know many companies that cut off at 3.0. As in, really cut off. I had a 3.55 and I didn't get an interview for one Raytheon position because of GPA. I got an interview later through a contact and rocked it hence getting an offer but GPA really did keep me out from that job (they took top 25% of applicants).

Oh and yes you are right about GPA not mattering if you can get an interview and have people skills, however the problem comes when you can't even get the interview.

And at great companies they don't need any more qualified people applying, they get plenty of great applicants with >3.0 so they have their pick of the litter anyways.

Honestly, if you are not at a top-tier school and you can't swing a 3.0, dang. I love my school but it is definitely not top tier, I pulled a 3.5 working every year and having a blast. Anyone with <3.0 just didn't try.

See, that's the thing.....having a high GPA doesn't necessarily make you "the pick of the litter". Any company that things GPA translates to real-world performance is, well, wrong.

I didn't get a 3.0 because I worked 30+ hours a week (at my previous internships part time while in classes, so relevant work), was both a player & the president of my school's volleyball team, was on the executive council of my fraternity, did community service every weekend, oh, and was on a senior design team that won more awards than any other in school history. And yes, I maintained an active social life. Sorry if that meant my calculus homework was neglected, I am such a slacker!

As I said above - there are some companies that will deny you an interview out of college because of your GPA. But there are many, many others - including many of the top-tier companies - that don't give a damn. Hence, GPA doesn't really matter.

that's rockin. But not normal. You can't blame companies for not interviewing twice the people by allowing <3.0 when 99.9% of then just didn't care about their grades and have no such good reasoning. It creates massive amounts more of work for HR for what...2, 5 decent candidates a year?

Why would you interview 50 people <3.0 to get 2-5 when you could interview 20 >3.0 and get the same 2-5 qualified people?

I actually know the guy that got the job I was cut from due to GPA. He's former Navy and an all out balla. They got an incredible guy and didn't have to sift through all the riff-raff.