I need help at the game...of Life!

[Kromis]

I'm only 15 years old and I'm still in high school (of course). I want to go do some "computer stuff" when I get older.

My question is:

Did you "computer guys" take ROP classes, study some programming by reading books or something on your own time, or took some other classes in order to get to where you are now?

I ask this because my folks are in a little pickle with finances and my dad says that because of that, I have to study for a "better future" instead of play games all day... I just wanna know if those classes or time off for studying really DO help...

Like I said, I'm only 15 years old and I haven't fully discovered the unknowns of life yet. So, please be lenient and don't go flaming me 🙂.

Thanks.

I forgot, I live in San Gabriel, California. Not quite sure if my location matters but the "good colleges" or at least the helpful ones matter me to, I guess...although I won't be attending them for quite awhile. Also, I'd like to get a major in computer science and other "computer mumbo jumbo".

 

[LcarsSystem]

Well, I took two R.O.P. classes in Highschool. Computer Service & Repair, and Cisco Networking. Both my computer teachers were completely unqualified to teach those subjects, and I believe it is like that for most advanced HS computer courses that I have heard of. Most of the IT people qualified are higher up like college professors and whatnot. Coming into the course I already had more knowledge than the teachers did but that doesn't mean I didn't learn anything from reading the books. So I say go for it, even if your teachers are completely ignorant you can still read the book and that is contains more knowledge than most teachers out there at that level have.

😎

 

[Kromis]

Ugh...books...any suggestions? My uncle told me to go networking one time...

 

[fitzov]

Prep for SAT (or whatever the test is now) so you can get into a good college. Other than that, have a good time until you graduate high school, and then study your butt off in college.

 

[I Saw OJ]

Originally posted by: LcarsSystem
Well, I took two R.O.P. classes in Highschool. Computer Service & Repair, and Cisco Networking. Both my computer teachers were completely unqualified to teach those subjects, and I believe it is like that for most advanced HS computer courses that I have heard of. Most of the IT people qualified are higher up like college professors and whatnot. Coming into the course I already had more knowledge than the teachers did but that doesn't mean I didn't learn anything from reading the books. So I say go for it, even if your teachers are completely ignorant you can still read the book and that is contains more knowledge than most teachers out there at that level have.

😎

I agree, I also took Computer Repair and Cisco, while the teacher was smart, she just wasnt qualified to teach either of those. So we either spend our time just straight getting the answers to the tests or just goofing off. If you really want to get into the computer field, your gonna need certifications and experience, the second one even more so then anything else.

 

[Pegun]

Second year college student here. I took a programming course my sophmore year (Future Basic on Mac), one my Junior year (Flash) and then took a troubleshooting class, advanced troubleshooting class (independent study) and 4 semesters of cisco networking classes in High school. It was really worth it and I am still good friends with the teacher that i learned it all from, who was just as determined to keep learning and teaching as we were. My suggestion is try all of those, the programming because it will help out in college (It gave me an intro to my two programming courses and signals and systems course) and then try the networking and hardware stuff as well. it really also depends on your interests. BTW State schools are usually cheaper than regualr colleges and will get you the same basic education!

 

[altonb1]

For now, I recommend a night school class at a local college, although SOME HIGH SCHOOLS also have them. Take a class on A+ or something similar. Once you get the A+, you can look for a part-time job at your local Best Buy, Crap USA, etc. At this job, you can get HANDS-ON which will also help you with the experience issue.

 

[Kromis]

Nice! Cool, I think I'll do those things...

 

[everman]

I suggest learning what it's really like to do whatever job you have in mind.
It's one thing to be a hobbyist and have fun doing your own projects. It's quite another thing all together to be working on some project you hate for some people you don't like much either.