Why pick a major based on the current job market?

[Deeko]

Everyone is so turned off to the technology majors right now, because the current job market is poor. I think, as a freshman, that that means jack to me. The market changes vastly from year to year, look where this field was 5 years ago. I won't be graduating until 2008, how the hell am I supposed to know what the job market is gonna be like then? I can't, I am in computer science because that is what I want to do, ya know? Why are people shying away because RIGHT NOW there aren't alot of jobs?

 

[Legendary]

Originally posted by: Deeko
Everyone is so turned off to the technology majors right now, because the current job market is poor. I think, as a freshman, that that means jack to me. The market changes vastly from year to year, look where this field was 5 years ago. I won't be graduating until 2008, how the hell am I supposed to know what the job market is gonna be like then? I can't, I am in computer science because that is what I want to do, ya know? Why are people shying away because RIGHT NOW there aren't alot of jobs?

I thought exactly the same way - if the market is cyclic (which they always say) by the time I get out of college everything should be just fabulous.
Or so I hope.

 

[newbiepcuser]

If you're concern with something stable and can have the discpline to finish it: medical field Dr. Deeko


If pay doesn't matter, become a teacher.


You should stay in computer science cause you can see yourself doing it and maybe liking your job.


my two cents.

 

[StageLeft]

You're partly right but you have to believe that the market for tech will not be as strong as it was until somebody else "blows up" new, like some new technology that suddenly "the entire world needs". Gone are the days when a clown could make $60k sitting in front of a computer typing away HTML.

I think that the tech market will be crappy for a good number of years because there are still people flooding in who started before the bubble burst.

A few fields like medicine seem to ALWAYS have openings, but otherwise everything does seem cyclical to a great extent.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I am in computer science because that is what I want to do, ya know?

That's the way it should be. And the current state of the job market (good or bad) has much more effect on C students than A students.

If you're studying a subject you enjoy and put enough effort into it not only to get good grades but also to learn as much as you can, then you will find work.

You'll spend half your waking life on the job after you graduate, so it might as well be a job that you enjoy doing.

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

Originally posted by: Deeko
Why are people shying away because RIGHT NOW there aren't alot of jobs?

Choosing a major based solely on the job market is also a nice way to land yourself a career that you don't care about.

That being said, the current state of the technology market varies a lot based on geography. It's all but dead where I am, but several people I know have gone to Austin and found laterally-to-upward paying jobs there, even accounting for differences in the cost of living.

 

[everman]

There's a lot of people out there who are just O.K. at it, not neccesarily great at that job, probably because of the late 90's tech boom. What you need to do is just be a little better than those average people.

 

[StageLeft]

It's all but dead where I am, but several people I know have gone to Austin and found laterally-to-upward paying jobs there, even accounting for differences in the cost of living.

Right now depending on geography in tech the job market is anywhere from dead to dead and rotting with magots in it. Unfortunately not a single place in north america worth living in has a surplus of jobs now, or even enough to fill the current supply of developers/network guys/etc. My brother in Japan says the market is good there, but the pay sucks - he personally can't wait to get out.

From British Columbia to Florida the tech market sucks now unless you're highly skilled or in a very particular area.

 

[numark]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

From British Columbia to Florida the tech market sucks now unless you're highly skilled or in a very particular area.

What about the government? I imagine that they're still hiring quite a bit in the tech field, and it's not like they'll run out of jobs for tech majors anytime soon. Regardless of your opinion about working for the government, you certainly have job security, guaranteed bonuses/raises, and top-notch benefits.

 

[gopunk]

because people are money grubbing whores

 

[RossMAN]

Worldcom!

 

[McPhreak]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
A few fields like medicine seem to ALWAYS have openings, but otherwise everything does seem cyclical to a great extent.

That's right to some extent. However, you shouldn't be surprised if you find yourself having to relocate. There are a LOT of doctors in California that have been forced to relocate simply because they cannot afford to raise a family there anymore. I think being a doctor is a stable profession, but I also think there's a lot of discontent. My advice is to certainly do your homework before deciding to become a doctor.