Highschool student dunno what to do after graduation...

[gHeTToAzNPrEp]

Hi, I seem to be stuck on what I want to do after graduating. Took C++, Visual Basic, True Basic, and soon Networking 1, Microhardware 1, and then Networking 2 and Microhardware 2 my senior year. I really like computers and would like a career in it. I'm more into the hardware part of computers. The 3 programming classes I took bored the hell out of me. I just sit there and listen to the teacher talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk about letters and numbers and how they all fit in together at the end or watever how it is. I still pass them with B's because my friend is really into that kind of stuff so I just usually copy his stuff and he explains to me why it does what it does. If i knew it was going to be like this, i wouldn't have taken it. The booklets that explained how the classes were going to be like made it sound so interesting and fun. But maybe it could just be our teacher, because he is geeky and stuff and no fun to talk to. I kinda regret taking computer classes too late in highschool. I should have started my freshmen year, but wasn't aware of the computer courses at the time. So i pretty much waisted some time learning about programming which i dont think i would ever do again. I can't wait till next year for the hopefully more interesting classes.

Well, I'm from Wisconsin area and would like to know off going through ITT Technical School or some University. I was thinking about majoring in Computer Engineering. But people been saying ITT gets you into the stuff you need to know about computers faster than Universities. I want ITT tech because it gets you into the stuff faster, but it doesn't have soccer and the University I hope to attend has a good soccer program that im interested in joining. I'm so stuck on what to do. For example, a cousin of mine has a friend that went to Marquette University for a computer related major for the 1st year, but decided after the 1st year that he would rather go to ITT instead. He told my cousin that he is now in debt because of the University and that he made a bad choice on waisting money on the University. He said that you have to take the academic classes your first year then get to the stuff you want to learn about your last 3 years. Could someone explain to me why is it like this?

I still have to set up an appointment with my guidance counselor and talk about this. I hope i figure out something soon. Can anybody help me out with the questions above and also help me out on what I should do and the routes I should take?

Thanks a lot in advance.

O yeah, I rather read Anandtech and Hardforum than listen to my programming teachers yap about sub modules and sub programs and what not. These hardware websites interest the hell out of me more than trying to code a calculator that can caculate how many times a bullet would revolve around the world if it were traveling at x mph in 12759275712 days and 197491824 minutes and 114127 seconds.

 

[Danman]

Don't go to ITT. Or even DeVry. They may have good training, but a University degree looks better on a resume than some technical school. Just from what I gathered when I was in that situation.

 

[Red]

Colleges in the U.S. are more vocational than universities around the world. In the U.S., college has become vocational training. In other countries, and like colleges 50 years ago in the U.S., university was supposed to give an individual a taste for everything...study various arts and religions, make them a very well rounded person. Now-a-days, people don't have any room in their schedules for anything but major and minor training.

 

[Ameesh]

I just sit there and listen to the teacher talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk about letters and numbers and how they all fit in together at the end or watever how it is.

lol @ u!!!11one

 

[Sid59]

have fun in the computer job markey. better hope it turns around when you're done with your education.

 

[JesusIsLord]

Personally: I think that it is awsome that you seem to be focused on your future, Sounds like its going to be a bright one. The IT Industry is tough right now, but dont let people discorage you- It will turn around. Ive Been survivng.
I would just make some personal time and take it to the Lord. Pray to him and follow your heart- he wont lead you astray.

Congradulations on the upcoming Graduation!

 

[vi edit]

Just head to UW Madison and take a year of freshman gen-ed classes to see what interests you. Take some social science stuff, take a few entry level computer classes, take some science stuff. UW Madison is sure to have a decent intramural soccer league that is probably more fun than the "real" soccer team.

Don't rush into things. I changed my major nothing less than 5 times between my senior year in HS and my sophomore year in college.

If you go to a place like UW you won't rack up a boatload of student loans like you would at a school like Marquette.

 

[gHeTToAzNPrEp]

Originally posted by: cashman
Don't go to ITT. Or even DeVry. They may have good training, but a University degree looks better on a resume than some technical school. Just from what I gathered when I was in that situation.

I agree also, but why waist time studying those courses you would never need in my career. I want to get straight right to the point and get my career started.

 

[beatle]

I was in the same position you were, though I wasn't there until my sophmore year in college. I started majoring in computer science, but I found it boring and difficult (there's also a lot of math involved). I thought about dropping out, spending less money and getting certifications instead from ITT or something similar. Instead, I stuck it out and changed to business IT, which had some math, but a lot of it seemed more practical, like statistics, finances, and simulation modeling. I also had a couple networking classes which I loved.

I'm now working helpdesk, but I'm getting by pretty well (for helpdesk). Most of the knowledge I use @ work comes from tinkering with computers in my spare time and reading/posting to AT. Just having a degree opens the doors to many large companies that generally don't even hire without degrees. Many companies will help pay for your certifications if you decide to get them while working. It's a lot easier to pick up a certification than a degree when you're working, that's for sure!

 

[dullard]

Sounds like the university won't work out for you. I knew far too many people in your same situation who choose the university route; who didn't pay attention to the professors saying blah blah blah and whatnot; and who dropped out after wasting 2 years and $10,000. Plus you already missed the application deadlines so college in August won't happen (unless you left that out of your post). You seem more conserned about activites during school than the college itself - a good sign that typical colleges/universities aren't the best option.

You can go to a trade school, but I'd suggest not going into the computer field. The job market really doesn't look too good right now and I don't see it improving for quite some time. But there are a lot of other 2 year degrees with good job markets. However I'd wait a bit if I were you. No reason to jump into a field if you are unsure about it. Work for a while at the best job you can get with just a highschool degree. Deccide if you are satisfied with the work and with the income. Will both make you happy for the rest of your life? Surprizingly often the answer is a yes. While you are working, you can think about what exacty you want to do. Then go to the trade school.

 

[The Stigenator]

go to a community college.. and get a job with yoru skils.

 

[Ness]

cliffs? I'm lazy.

 

[gHeTToAzNPrEp]

I forgot to state that I am only a Junior in high school, and soon a Senior next year. So I have one more year to think about the tech or university route.

Also, could someone explain to me about the part where you take the academic classes your 1st year or two of college before getting into the stuff you want to learn?

 

[yllus]

Originally posted by: gHeTToAzNPrEp
These hardware websites interest the hell out of me more than trying to code a calculator that can caculate how many times a bullet would revolve around the world if it were traveling at x mph in 12759275712 days and 197491824 minutes and 114127 seconds.

So you've read my thesis.

Seriously though, there are some choices for you if you're interested in the hardware side of computing. You could get by in Computer Science but it'd be at least 50% coding, so let's put that aside. I think Computer Engineering (CE) is going to be your thing, or perhaps Electrical Engineering. What you want to do at this point is not only talk to your guidance counselor but also take a trip down to the university you see yourself attending to see what the facilities are like.

Regarding ITT as an option - I wouldn't. To do what you seem inclined towards will almost certainly require a 4-year university degree, with resumes lacking this criteria being filtered out. While you could certainly find work this way I don't think there would ever be any opportunity for advancement, you'd be passed up for candidates with a wider scope of education. I'd also be slightly wary of anyone who claims to have 'chosen' ITT over a traditional university - 'chosen' likely stands for 'got kicked out of my university and went to'. Not to knock colleges though - one of the best courses I ever took during my adult education was at a community college. No regrets there.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

If I were you, I'd start by changing my handle.

 

[FuZoR]

you sure you're a senior in hs.. .your handle leads me to believe your in 7th grade lol

my senior year of hs.. i was like you sorta but my mind wasnt made up on what i wanted to presue.. but it was def not computer science. (arrg!! nightmares of wanting to throw my computer out the window when my program dont work) In the end, I decided not to go to a technical school just so i can have more options when i do decide on a career path... with that said, im finishing up my sophmore year and probably heading into a Finance Major, though its not set in stone...

the CE/CS is way to math intensive for me personally and that other computer course seems useless. CIS.

 

[StageLeft]

But people been saying ITT gets you into the stuff you need to know about computers faster than Universities. I want ITT tech because it gets you into the stuff faster

5 years ago I would have CONSIDERED agreeing with this, because a crap hole like ITT Tech (I say it's a crap hole because it's like ITI, which is a school I went to) is NOTHING compared to a degree, but you could have gotten a job straight out of it. What can you get after graduating it now? The IT market sucks. People with degrees and experience are having a hard time.

That aside, what if you get sick of computers? Or, what if you decide that a degree will help with a job you want (even if it's in sociology it looks good on a resume compared to nothing)? ITT tech is only for IT jobs. _GET A DEGREE_. You're nothing without it these days in most cases (not all, but most). I know people with degrees working freaking cash register at best buy. Where will you be without it? Working cash register at mcdonalds? Don't rush into life without at least a degree. Seriously.

I agree also, but why waist time studying those courses you would never need in my career. I want to get straight right to the point and get my career started.

WRONG. Do you think I'm using my classses on psychology? Or history of Europe? God no. But, I have a degree because of them, and without it I'd not be where I am today (interestingly enough in the IT field, where you want to be). I was university wondering why I was wasting time on that crap too. But two reasons why I'm glad I got my degree:

1) It shows I could tough it out.

Yes, sadly that's half the benefits of having a degree. A person without it trying to get a job vs. somebody with it may show that the first was either cutting corners, or simply couldn't hack it in university.

2) It makes for a "balanced person".

I know that sounds like a load of sh*t, but from some of the people I've associated with I have to say it's readily apparent in short order who is "educated" and who isn't. Somewhere in there studying about the weight of gasses or bystander syndrome or plato's republic I actually picked up something not quite tangible, but incredibly beneficial nonetheless.

 

[Ness]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
If I were you, I'd start by changing my handle.

OHHHH!!! BURRRRRRNNNNNN!!!!!

 

[bleeb]

Originally posted by: cashman
Don't go to ITT. Or even DeVry. They may have good training, but a University degree looks better on a resume than some technical school. Just from what I gathered when I was in that situation.

Some of my friends who went there [ITT] are making $100K+ while I'm a college graduate (CS) who's unemployed.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: bleeb

Originally posted by: cashman
Don't go to ITT. Or even DeVry. They may have good training, but a University degree looks better on a resume than some technical school. Just from what I gathered when I was in that situation.

Some of my friends who went there [ITT] are making $100K+ while I'm a college graduate (CS) who's unemployed.

When did they get out and start working? Your answer is me resting my case The IT field has changed. I went to a school like ITT tech. I wouldn't recommend it to an enemy now. You're basically paying thousands now for something you can't apply, because you won't get a job. For all intents and purposes people who come out of ITT tech are facing a job market that doesn't hire many juniors in their field of expertise.

If your friends lose their jobs and are forced to quit fields they will have their job experience only, while you'll still have a BCS at the end of your name, and they'll get flung in the garbage.

Now, not to say that you can't make it without a degree, but it really does help immensely.

 

[slpaulson]

I'd definately have a look at Madison. Other than what thas been meantioned, you may also be interested in CIS, which I know some of the campuses (Point) in Wisconsin have as well.
Try to get a hold of the undergrad catalog if you can.

I'm a sophomore at Madison in Computer Engineering if you have any questions about stuff.

 

[bleeb]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: bleeb

Originally posted by: cashman
Don't go to ITT. Or even DeVry. They may have good training, but a University degree looks better on a resume than some technical school. Just from what I gathered when I was in that situation.

Some of my friends who went there [ITT] are making $100K+ while I'm a college graduate (CS) who's unemployed.

When did they get out and start working? Your answer is me resting my case The IT field has changed. I went to a school like ITT tech. I wouldn't recommend it to an enemy now. You're basically paying thousands now for something you can't apply, because you won't get a job. For all intents and purposes people who come out of ITT tech are facing a job market that doesn't hire many juniors in their field of expertise.

If your friends lose their jobs and are forced to quit fields they will have their job experience only, while you'll still have a BCS at the end of your name, and they'll get flung in the garbage.

Now, not to say that you can't make it without a degree, but it really does help immensely.

Actually I think the guys with the job experience and the ability to bullshiet their way through are the ones who are going to get hired.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: gHeTToAzNPrEp
I forgot to state that I am only a Junior in high school, and soon a Senior next year. So I have one more year to think about the tech or university route.

Also, could someone explain to me about the part where you take the academic classes your 1st year or two of college before getting into the stuff you want to learn?

Sorry I misread your post, thought you were graduating soon. I still stand by my original post - unless you have some major changes during your senior year.

As for your second question, I'll describe what my bachelor's degree was like. I got a degree in Chemical Engineering. I had ~50 classes total during my bachelors. Of those 50 classes, I was required to take 7, yes 7 classes that had nothing to do with my major. I hated those classes but you have to put up with them. You can place those classes ANYWHERE you want in your schedule. Most people choose to take them right away to (a) get them out of the way, (b) party during the freshman year when you are taking classes that don't matter, (c) they are like you and don't know what they want to do so they take the classes that will give them experience in all fields and will count for all majors. I myself choose to spread these 7 classes out, one per semester throughout college.

One harsh fact is that everyone is babied during most of their school - elementary, middle/junior, and high school. Classes for the most part are a piece of cake, and could have been taken in any order. I know most of my highschool classes could have easilly been taken by people 5-10 years younger. In college things change (for most majors). Classes that the senior college students take would be impossible for the sophmore or freshmen to even begin to understand. For example, to understand the physical chemistry 2 lectures you must already understand chemistry 1, chemistry 2, organic chemistry, some of the chemistry labs (but not all), and physical chemistry 1. If you just jump right into physical chemistry 2 during your freshman year, you'll be so lost that you'll flunk or drop out of the class. Second example: to understand partial differential equations class (what you may really want to take), you must first understand all of calculus (~3 classes) as well as ordinary differential equations. I could go on and on with examples.

Thus yes, the really interesting courses are usually taken during the junior and senior years. But the main reason for that is one would not understand them without taking all of the prerequisites. If you are interested in only the 5th+ classes of computer engineering, you must sit through the first four classes of computer engineering during your freshman and sophmore years. That is just a fact of life that the American school system (K-12) really doesn't address.