How does a computer geek survive in the real world?

Skail

Member
Jan 21, 2002
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0
I'm fourteen, a freshman in high school, and I have failed half of Algebra. This really is not good. To make things worse, summer school will be hard to find this year, and I may have to repeat 9th grade over half a credit of Algebra. I'm highly pissed.

I really don't know what I'm going to do with my life at this point. I was first introduced to a computer at age 7, and since then I have built two computers and done other wierd stuff, blah blah. Anyway, let me get to the point. I cannot do really intricate math, because I'm more of a language person; I get As in English Honors and the higher classes of Spanish, but Ds and Fs in Algebra. This is a big problem, because apparently most computer careers need that intricate and really bad headache math like Trig, Calculus, Physics, etc.

In the future, I'm going to be a loner. I want to live alone in a small apartment and support only myself, and have an income just enough to live comfortably. Marriage is out, because I absolutely hate children, and I like being alone.. I'm just that way.

I'm getting off track again, but the point is that I need advice as to what I should do with my life. Should I go to university and do all the impossibly heavy math and fail it all, or go to a technical school and get out into the field quickly without having to do all of that math. Furthermore, what kind of computer job can I have where I don't have to be sociable at all? What I mean is, I would prefer to work in a factory or something assembling computers all day over being a game developer and be part of a team and stuff.

I need advice. Could any of you help me? :D
 

Ionizer86

Diamond Member
Jun 20, 2001
5,292
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It's called confidence; it's worth a try :)

Oh, and btw, be sure to stop by and have a chat with your counselor, even though you really don't want to talk to people. It's called overcoming your fears :D
 

Czar

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
28,510
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Try networking, it involves much fiddling around consoles(not ps2 btw) and wires and reading.
 

kami

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
17,627
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81
You're only 14 kiddo. These feelings will pass...you have much to learn.

As for your math, I'm not strong in math either but I'm in college. There's many careers involving computer where math marks aren't even a factor, so don't worry about that. Just try your best and at least pass the required math courses to graduate high school.
 

Just keep doing what you're doing.
There are 40 yr olds that have less of an idea then you.
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81


<< It's called confidence; it's worth a try :)

Oh, and btw, be sure to stop by and have a chat with your counselor, even though you really don't want to talk to people. It's called overcoming your fears :D
>>



No words could ever be more true :)
 

RONType1

Golden Member
Feb 21, 2000
1,150
0
0
confidence is a must, if you like the hands on stuff.. go for the tech school. they're expensive but get you in and out pretty quick. go to a university if you enjoy theory and and stuff, at my school not a whole lot of hands on stuff. all in all, the only real thing i can say is: it depends. talk to a counselor and most importantly, FINISH HIGH SCHOOL...
 

PC Freak

Golden Member
Jan 20, 2000
1,195
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My suggestion would be to join the AF. I've been serving for the past 4 years. I work as a Communications Tech. I've also been assigned as a Computer and Network Tech/Admin. You'll live in your own dorm room and recive free medical and dental. Food is covered too. It's not a bad gig at all. Money isn't bad either. Just something to think about. Oh.. AF basic training is shorter than any other service, and the AF takes care of it's people better/differently than other branches.
 

dirtboy

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,745
1
81
Worry about your decision when you start your senior year. In the mean time, get through Algebra!
 

rgwalt

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2000
7,393
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Ever thought about technical writing? It can be kinda boring, but if you can write clearly and precisely, you could write technical manuals. It is tough to find people who are tech-savvy who can also communicate.

Ryan
 

Thegonagle

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2000
9,773
0
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Aw, come on! Math is pretty cool once you get it. It's far from impossible. Once you solve a problem, it's solved. It either works, or it doesn't.

Keep practicing the algebra, and turn off that computer once in awhile, so you can do the things you need to do.
 

poopaskoopa

Diamond Member
Sep 12, 2000
4,836
1
81
How about you suck it up and study harder? I didn't speak English in my first year in highschool, as it was my first year in the U.S., but I studied hard and I managed to pass all my classes and did better as I learned the language.
 

Skail

Member
Jan 21, 2002
44
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0
Guidance counselor? What guidance counselor? :) It's impossible to get to any of them because they're always busy, and I'd be afraid to walk into the Guidance office and ask to see somebody or schedule an appointment. Maybe I should get medicine for my Social Anxiety Disorder.

That technical writing thing sounds interesting. I could write computer manuals and get paid for it? The only thing I see bad about that is that it wouldn't be a day to day, continuously paying job would it? I would have to find people to write for to get anything. That does bring up things like writing for a computer magazine, or a computer section of a newspaper or something or that sort. Or even a computer website like AnandTech :D Thanks for bringing that up, Rgwalt.

And Poopaskoopa, it's not that I don't understand the Algebra, but I make too many careless mistakes and do badly. Having a teacher who wants to turn the American education system to the Chinese education system does not help, and to add to that she's a psychologist and plays with our heads all the time. And the fact that total grades in her class are based on tests.. no homework grades, no classwork grades, no quizzes, your only grades are the tests for chapters 1-12 which are not multiple choice and have her "Spice Cabinet" of excruciatingly difficult problems. I don't want to remind myself of her though, I just need to solve my problems.

I forgot to mention that I got on the PSAT what would be a 1000 on the SAT, which is not that great, but it's good for a first try and for the fact that I'm only a freshman. Not like you care though. :p
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
Computer science degrees are starting to de-emphasize calculus and other advanced math since it's not really used outside of graphics and simulation programming. You do need a strong understanding of algebra and formal logic for programming.

Other computer-related fields using little or no math (but the logic for problem-solving)
* technical writing
* online help writing and "programming" (RoboHelp, setting the links, adding graphics, etc.)
* network support & design
* PC repairs and upgrading (work for your local non-chain computer store -- pay might be bad)

For algebra & higher, you might do better if you work at it more outside of class, for example buying an additional book (besides class textbook) and reading / working through it. It sounds like you have a bad teacher, so it's up to you to learn in on your own.
 

Siddhartha

Lifer
Oct 17, 1999
12,505
3
81
I know this is not going to sound like alot of fun but the solution is that you need to spend more time working on math. It is mostly problem solving so you will get better by doing the problems, homework, you have been assigned. After those become easy ask you teacher to assign more to you. Go to the library every night and spend two hours working on math.

From what I have seen the better you are at math the more successful you are in most professions.
 

Skail

Member
Jan 21, 2002
44
0
0
That's a scary thought.

Well, I just heard from my sister that she knows someone going into journalism, and she hates it. It's like modeling according to her; you have to go around prostituting yourself, people won't take you if you don't look good, and it's hard to find work when there are tons of people applying for the same job, and even if you get it you will have to do it all over again right after.
 

nirgis

Senior member
Mar 4, 2001
636
0
0
Skail, If you don't mind me saying this, I think that you are in denial.

Lets face it, you are 14 years old. Old enough that I don't have to ignore this kind of self-pity/throwing away of life type sh!t. But also young enough that it is not too late. Yes, I would suggest you start taking you social-anxiety medicine, it would probably improve your life greatly. This whole "I don't need to interact with people" is also not going to work: To function in society you at least need to interact. You will not be able to go through in life by ignoring everyone, making no friends and sitting at your computer all day. Fine, you don't want to be married; thats okay, but at least make the effort to find people you care about and that care about you, because while this attitude may work for the next few years, it will alienate you and cause great sorrow later. Believe me when I say this that by closing the doors now, you will not be able to open them later. Mysuggestion: lift up the chin, get rid of the self-pity, and work to pass math classes. You don't *need* to go to college, but at least need to be heading somewhere.


Best of luck

-Ben