The most beneficial skill going into the computer field?

[MaDfLaMe37]

Alright, so I'm 18, senior in HS, and I'm pretty sure computers is where it's at for me. I've still got a whole year of HS left and I'm looking for some advice.

What are/is the most valuable skill(s) going into the computer field? I'm taking AP Computer Science right now at my school which teaches Computer Science based around Java. So I'll have some programming knowknowledge once I leave HS. I've worked with Photoshop for years now, but never really got too advanced with it--usually just creating signatures and fairly simple graphics for websites. And of course I've been creating websites for years, and I'm pretty good at it. I just don't know any Flash or much PHP.

I know that's a pretty broad question because I don't know exactly what I want to do with computers, but if there is some advice any of you could give me, please do.

Also, if you know, what are the highest paying jobs in the computer field and what to they entail?

Thanks.

 

[GasX]

computer skills are important

social skills don't hurt

having mad l337 AWP wh0r1ng skilz is always a plus

 

[KB]

The highest paying jobs in the computer field around me are project managers/it managers. You need good general computer skills and good people skills. Business Administration skills are helpful too. Programming can be done by many and in other countries, so don't hedge your bets on that.
If you want a programming job making good money and security, try to work for the government using java.

 

[MaDfLaMe37]

Also, what's the most in-demand job in the computer field?

I posted the same question on another forum and everyone is telling me that the computer field has WAY too many people in it and finding a job will be especially difficult.

 

[Turfzilla]

Linux and Unix... If you have thoes, life is good

 

[DougK62]

If you're good at what you do you'll always find a job.

My advice is to really work on social skills, and become very proficient with Linux.

 

[Drekce]

You need to be smart. You need to be able to pick up new skills quickly. You need to have interpersonal skills.

 

[Drakkon]

Being able to quickly type out whatever is being said to you or process information and make things appear on the screen....people will be so impressed by your overall speed they wont care how much you actually know.

As for jobs, all the ones i know of are looking for highly specialized individuals, specifically tailored to a field. The fastest growing i believe is education now that its been proven that a computer can be used to teach people and there starting to learn on the web more and more. So its either learn how to program for the web (flash, asp, php) or learn how to run the servers for the web (webCT, blackboard, linux, oracle, etc)

 

[Rickten]

have prior job experience. Even if its working at mcdonalds, it shows you have communication skills and can interact with other coworkers without getting fired. So many people I'm going to be graduating with have never worked a day in their life and it shows. Doing group projects with these people is a chore because they simply don't know how to communicate and want to do everything on their terms. Working at a cash register or help desk will build your speaking skills so it won't be so hard to talk in public, at least it has for me. Then of course don't forget to know your field.

 

[Descartes]

Experience first, and the ability the sell yourself second.

 

[Achtung]

When you go college, don't treat those non-engineering prerequisite classes as mere "inconveniences". The classes in writing, humanities, social sciences, etc. all are very important to not just your communication skills but also your ability to accept different perspectives and ideas. These are all things you'll need in even the most coding-intensive jobs.

Don't focus on what's in demand--focus on what you're interested in. The job market is highly unpredictable, and there's no sense in trying to let it dictate what you do with your life. Here's a great quote from Jon Stewart: "Love what you do. Get good at it. Competence is a rare commodity in this day and age. And let the chips fall where they may."