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Is it worth going into the computer industry.. and if so .. how?

Z

Zarick

Senior member
I am 30. Two kids, a wife and no college degree. My passion is computers. I was considering going back to college to get a Degree. I was wondering if it was really worth it to get the degree and go into the field.

Also I was wondering what degree is good to get.

I was looking at a computer science degree.

A degree in computer information systems (which is really a programming degree geared towards business)

or a information technology degree (which is simply a degree with an MCSE course of study)

 
I would not go into it. In fact, I may get out of it by the time I am 30, or switch more to business/management side. Frankly it's a lot of work and stress considering the pay. I am in microprocessor design. I am also considering patent law or maybe startup.
 
If its what you enjoy then sure its worth it.

Right now hiring is tight (as it is in most industries) but hopes are it will open up.

I'm personally seeing a lot more IT spending in the last two quarters.
 
well it's supposedly a cycle.. and the down period is passing... hopefully it will open up for a lot of people.. spending is good.
 
Yes, it is worth it if you want a clean job that require very little heavy lifting. However, the competition is tight, and the stress can be high, and the pay is leveling off?in some case wages is going down.

There is a real shortage for health profession such as Nursing/Pharmacist/Doctor and trades such as Plumbing/Contruction/Electrical/Pipefitting/Sheet Metal/ Coolant & Refrigeration.

Institutions are slow to adapt to the demand of the market, because it normally take them at least 5 years or more to modify their curriculum to fit the demand. At the moment most Universities/Colleges still offer many Sciences/IT courses, while the demand isn?t like the late 90s.

I?m currently thinking of quitting IT and get into the trades because the work is much more satisfying with a great potential to make a good living at it. I will be taking a PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers) at the local college here. I?m looking at making more money because the average 2-3 years experience electrical apprentice with PCL is making $26.00 per hour and there is such a high demand for them that they work 12 hours per day @ 7 days per week. (just imagine that it is 2X pay at above 48 hour week). And, they also paid for your training toward a journeyman certification. The paid will be well above $26 per hour once you hold a journeyman ticket (12 months of education @ 4 years pace + 1 year = journeyman)

The expectancy of paid for the average Tradesman here in BC Canada (I?m assuming it will be similar in the US) is $100K per year @ 40 hours work week in 2010.

I find that working as a DBA/Net tech isn?t any where as satisfying as building houses. What I wanted to do eventually is to work as a millwright and work on sailboats.

I urge you to take a look at what you really wanted and find an occupation that will be rewarding in financial and personal satisfaction.

PS. The high price of crude oil at moment makes it much more lucrative to drill locally in North America, therefore feeding into more of a shortage for Trades worker.
 
Originally posted by: Zarick
So what about the types of degree.. what should I be looking to do?
Click to expand...
you say it is your passion, but what is your skillset ? That would be good info to know if you're asking us what you should aim for..
 
I am a bus driver. Granted bus drivers here in oregon make 22 bucks an hour with fully paid medical/dental and vision, but we are the 3rd highest in stress in the US and most bus drivers die early due to heart failure.

As far as skills go, many are old. I do most of my own hardware/OS config stuff, but all on a personal level. I have learned C and C++ but never found the desire to go off coding something(partially from lack of ideas).
 
Originally posted by: Zarick
I am a bus driver. Granted bus drivers here in oregon make 22 bucks an hour with fully paid medical/dental and vision, but we are the 3rd highest in stress in the US and most bus drivers die early due to heart failure.
Click to expand...

if you're looking to reduce stress, the computre industry might not be the best path for you 😉
 
The only job to consider that has anything to do with computers is "IT," and you'll need A LOT of schooling and experience IN THE IT FIELD, not just experience with computers "around the home" or "as a hobby."

Other possibilities? Computer hardware? Forget it. Retailers and Wholesalers don't have tech support anymore, so scratch that. Phone support is all in India. There's no manufacturers in the US anymore unless you want to do grunt work (putting Dell's in boxes, etc.). Stuff like Geek Squad doesn't pay squat. PC's and parts are so cheap, nobody's repairing or upgrading PC's.

It's a tough market out there. That's why I'm doing phone system installs now. I'm the asst. IT of the company, but for me and the IT guy, it's really a part time job. If it wasn't for the occasional installs, one of us would be working part time for very little money.
 
Originally posted by: loki8481
Originally posted by: Zarick
I am a bus driver. Granted bus drivers here in oregon make 22 bucks an hour with fully paid medical/dental and vision, but we are the 3rd highest in stress in the US and most bus drivers die early due to heart failure.
Click to expand...

if you're looking to reduce stress, the computre industry might not be the best path for you 😉
Click to expand...
I find pounding nails into 2x4 is a great way to relieve stress. And, best of all is using a jackhammer & break concrete into bits.
 
Your passion is computers, but in what way? I love computers too, but I don't want to work in the IT/programming industry. My advise is to do a lot of research and really find out what area appeals to you. IE: you probably don't want to be stuck in a helpdesk job listening to people's problems.
 
why not go into electrical engineering? it sounds interesting as hell!

and yeah everman is right. you have to put some thought and research in it before you do anything...
 
I have done all the research I can. I was just looking for opinions. Here is what I believe I have found:

IT as it is called now is a not so good field to be in. You need a degree and some certs, plus tons of experience to make 45k a year base salary, and then youll be working 80hours a week keeping the network running. If you are over 40 forget it... you are to old to be IT now, go manage or something. Kids in highschool can now get an MCSE or a CCIE and thus make high wage older workers far less desirable. Especially those who want.. quality of life.

Computer science is a catch all. Most schools are taught on more of a research type basis. In other words you should be prepared to research algorithms, find ways to make computers think faster, and do amazing things. But most people get stuck writing business apps for the accounting department, being a DBA, or even and IT guy. The wages which were once in the 70s have now settle down in the low 50s. Most are underappreciated and even more jobs are being shifted out to INDIA.

Computer information systems is the study of programming as it relates to buisness. Now these guys should be doing less than the CS guys but in most cases today they are interchangeable, with the exception that CIS guys have business under their belt as well making them more versatile and far more desireable. However, speaking HINDI seems to be a must here also.

Computer Engineering is still a lucrative field for those who are good. Those who aren't good will land a job at intel working their butts off. India is starting to go after these jobs as well. Frankly I don't have 5 years to dedicate to this degree path either.

Those are the basics I have learned (I have learned much more but my typing hand is tired).

Unfortunately I would prefer to write code, but don't believe I have enough passion to compete with tom the 14 year old who is working oh his own operating system

Anyway.. it is hard to choose to go into a feel you have such a negative picture of.
 
getting a college degree is gonna require a lot of math if you're gonna do something like CS or CE... are you prepared for that?

Is there any kind of job advancement where you work now??
 
You'll make more money and have less stress outside of computers. Plus you'll be forced in a constant learning cycle and face being replaced by the younger more knowledge youth as you age.
 
I'm ready to get out. I'm going to jump into another shrinking market - real estate. 🙂

I'm just sick of computers. Been a developer for 10 years and really hating it.
 
Originally posted by: Zarick

Computer information systems is the study of programming as it relates to buisness. Now these guys should be doing less than the CS guys but in most cases today they are interchangeable, with the exception that CIS guys have business under their belt as well making them more versatile and far more desireable. However, speaking HINDI seems to be a must here also.
Click to expand...

can u please elaborate on what CIS deals with??? didnt really get what it teaches u... also, why would HINDI be a must ( though it doesnt matter coz i speak it anyway. ) ??

thanks

 
I highly suggest you do not get a degree in CS if all you're looking to do is become a code monkey. A CS degree teachers a lot more then just how to spit out lines of code and you'd be wasting the education.
 
I don't think Engineering is quite necessary for this. Probably WAY too intensive, and the marks in high school have to be good (I have no idea about mature applicants, though).

Simon
 
I was in the IT field for 2 years as a Network Admin. It was a cool job because i learned a lot, but there isn't much growth. You always have to be studying and learning the newest OS's and software. Plus, there's always someone that will be smarter and younger to replace you.

I changed careers and got into sales and love it. Way more freedom, but you get to be social wit people.
 
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