What can I actually DO with a CS degree?

[NTB]

This thread got me thinking a little bit. I'm about a year away from graduating with a degree in CS, and experience (both through classes and doing my own reding/programming) in C++ and Java. I enjoy doing this kind of stuff. Not quite sure yet what I'm going to do once I actually get the degree though.

Did you graduate with a CS or similar (IE, computer-related) degree? What do you do now?

Nate

 

[Nocturnal]

Get a job.

 

[fs5]

I did, I'm working QA now since I couldn't find another job. I want to get into software developing, as for which industry I'm not sure. right now I'll take ANY software developing job just to get experience.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Get a job.

That's the idea

Nate

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
I did, I'm working QA now since I couldn't find another job. I want to get into software developing, as for which industry I'm not sure. right now I'll take ANY software developing job just to get experience.

I've seen this too; trying to get an IT or CS related job is a catch-22 for new graduates, at least right now. Everyone wants to hire somebody with experience - but you don't get any experience unless you get a job...

Nate

 

[pandego]

tEH Degree! It's does nothing!

 

[Vic]

Use it and $3.50 to buy a mocha and get a job behind the counter at Starbucks?

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: pandego
tEH Degree! It's does nothing!

So I am begining to see. What about all the different certifications that you can test for and get? Any of them worth going after in addition to a degree in and of itself?

Nate

 

[Tab]

I thought you had a Degree in counter-strike for a second

Being 17 and in my Junior year. And very computer orinated what kind of computer related degree's are their?

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: pandego
tEH Degree! It's does nothing!

So I am begining to see. What about all the different certifications that you can test for and get? Any of them worth going after in addition to a degree in and of itself?

Nate

Most definately, MCSE, Cisco certs, etc. Those will just add more of a chance that you'll get hired.

But, experience is what EVERYONE is looking for this day and age as far as the IT field goes.

 

[NTB]

Vic -

Can't be any worse than what I'm doing now (cashier / gofer at the local Target)

Nate

 

[fs5]

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: fivespeed5
I did, I'm working QA now since I couldn't find another job. I want to get into software developing, as for which industry I'm not sure. right now I'll take ANY software developing job just to get experience.

I've seen this too; trying to get an IT or CS related job is a catch-22 for new graduates, at least right now. Everyone wants to hire somebody with experience - but you don't get any experience unless you get a job...

Nate

this is the case especially when everybody wants Sr. EVERYTHING. And also people with 5-20 years experience are applying for entry level positions also.

 

[DT4K]

It's a tough market right now. I worry about the future of IT careers here.
I explain my experience with it here.

But what do you want to do?
Are you more interested in programming, networking, databases?

Yeah, it's tough to find a job, especially without experience. Do whatever you can right now to get some real work experience. Even if you have to work for free, it's important that you have real experience.

Here's my opinion on certs:
They may help you get an interview because they impress hiring managers.
They do show a certain amount of dedication to your education in the field.
They do NOT guarantee that you really know what you are doing.
They will NOT guarantee you a job.

MCSE is pretty much a waste because so many people have them.

If you are interested in networking jobs, the Cisco certs are probably the best way to go.
If you are interested in databases, look at the MCDBA or some of the Oracle certs.
If you are interested in programming/development, look at the MCAD or MCSD or some of the Sun Java certs.

I've been a software developer since I graduated 2 years ago. I mainly do SQL Server development, VB, VB.Net and ASP.Net.
I'm supposed to start studying this month to take the MCAD in the hopes that it will be easier to find another job if I leave this one. I'll probably do the VB.Net track, since I'm more familiar with VB type syntax, but I'm debating switching to C# since C# programmers seem to make more money. Mainly because of the continued stigma associated with the letters "VB". Even though VB.Net is a far better and more complete language than VB. They really should have given it a new name.

 

[dmw16]

Post on ATOT?

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: dmw16
Post on ATOT?

No, that requires a degree in BS, not CS

Nate

 

[her209]

You can claim you are an expert at Counter Strike.

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

you can work at NTB.

 

[MrChad]

Get an internship with an IT/software company. That can help quite a bit when it comes time to graduate.

 

[Yax]

Go back to school and get a degree in something else.

 

[BCYL]

I just graduated with a CS degree this past May, working as a Software Designer/Developer right now...

Before I graduated, I took 16 months off and worked as an intern Software Developer... After that, I went back to school for 8 months to finish off my degree, during which time I continued to work for that company as a part-time software Developer (more of a consultant really)...

Then when I graduated, they hired me back as a full-time software developer... So even though I just graduated in May, I have been working at this company for 2+ yrs... and I can safely put on my resume that I have 2+ yrs of software development experience...

 

[Aboroth]

You could cross off "Computer Science" and write something else useful above it and hope nobody notices.
You could hang it in your bathroom just in case you run out of toilet paper.
You could use it for a brief source of warmth just in case the winter months are really bad.
If you have a bird and are out of newspaper, you could line the birdcage with it.
If you go insane from the boredom of having no job and doing nothing every day, you could fold it into a hat and pretend to be Napoleon.
If you are ever starving, you could try baking it.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Get a job.

But he'll have to move to India first.

 

[Feldenak]

You can always rip on us MIS majors.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: Feldenak
You can always rip on us MIS majors.

I almost went this route, but then I found out that it was more buisness-oriented than computer-oriented - all kinds of marketing, and accounting classes, among others.

Nate

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: Feldenak
You can always rip on us MIS majors.

I almost went this route, but then I found out that it was more buisness-oriented than computer-oriented - all kinds of marketing, and accounting classes, among others.

Nate

Well, with the software development jobs getting shipped overseas, it seems that business (marketing, accounting, management, logistics, etc...) may be the route of choice.