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Posted: 9/12/2004 4:50:59 PM EDT
[#1]
what stuff have you liked so far?
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Posted: 9/12/2004 4:52:38 PM EDT
[#2]
If you're posting here, I'm guessing you find military h/w interesting. I'd advise sending resumes to Military contractors like TRW, Raytheon, Boeing, etc....
If you're going to spend the next 40 years of your life in a cube, better to have a few trips to missile firings, or onboard ships or military bases to install/test your s/w. That's alot more interesting than commercial s/w, IMO. |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 4:57:32 PM EDT
[#3]
Specialize in Network Admin, or Security.
I got into the Casino niche, and really liked it. Last computer related job was IT DIrector for a casino in the midwest. Aviator |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:00:24 PM EDT
[#4]
Not to be a smart ass but you should already be working a job in the computer field so you can be trying things out first hand. You should be able to get a work study job as a computer tech, not a lab consultant but as a tech your colleges computer center, or get an intership somewhere. The reason being is in this field you have to be self motived and self teaching, if you don't end up a field that personally interests you it will be very difficult to find the motivation to keep on learning. I have a degree in computer science but other than the structure and logic of how to write a program nothing I learned in college is used on the job. Everything I do on a daily basis was self taught. I also started out in the computer center as a tech running cables, building computers, and fixing problems. Then I moved on to working on servers, and then finally into programming which is what I liked the best. Some people like the server administration better others like programming, but the only way you will know is if you try out both first hand. |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:01:27 PM EDT
[#5]
what are you looking into. there is a WIDE open career in many possibilities.
I am on the hardware side and specialise in IBM Rs6000 equipment and networking. So far it's been a good ride. Excellent pay and the hours aren't bad once you have paid your dues to the team. On the downside, hardware is going to be a BRUTAL feild in the coming years. High end enterprise servers are becoming insanely reliable. Break fix is turning into sit and wait for a tape drive to die. Customers are demanding ZERO downtime and they are getting close to acheiving it. Networking will ALWAYS be in demand. no matter where the hardware goes it has to communicate. new tech and higher bandwidth will mean constant upgrades for the next several years to stay on the cutting edge. Software. Don't do much here but do not like what i am seeing from my freinds. Most of the software engineers i know are doing nothing but basic installs and troubleshooting now. Almost ALL of the accounts i work i have completely outsourced 3rd party application support and development. My company got rid of most of it's software engineers over the last 2 years. Design and implementation. If you have the skills and the training this can get you PAID. Lots of companies know who to buy the hardware from but seldom know what they need or how to intergrate it nto their existing enviornment. hope this helps. this is just my observations from the last 10 or so years in the South East USA. I have done everyting from pc and printers to check sorters and enterprise systems. Harware is a fun feild but it takes SERIOUS effort to stay on top and not become obsolete. The best advise i can give anyone is get a good mix of skills to start and then specialise based on your strong points. Hardware and software skills are merging closer every day. mike |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:05:11 PM EDT
[#6]
by the way i work for IBM. They have a terrific intern program you would probobly qualify for. If your interested i will see if i can get you the info. Pay sucks, hours suck, benifits suck, but the expereince is kick ass.
mike |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:07:43 PM EDT
[#7]
Slayer,
Do you know why everytime one applies at IBM the resume seems to get sucked into a black hole? Thanks
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:07:48 PM EDT
[#8]
Big ditto there. I "went into computers" in the late eighties because "that's where the money's at". Had a chance to bounce around just about every niche before I realized three years ago that I hated the whole lot  . You really need to find out for yourself what meshes best with your personality or you'll just end up bitter and burnt out on tech like m... um... this guy I know.
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:10:22 PM EDT
[#9]
AS I said in my earlier post, I worked my way to IT Director from a computer tech. I did this in about 5 years. I have no schooling after high school. What helped me out a lot was certifications. I have a shit load of Microsoft certs, IBM certs and a Cisco cert or two as well as network security stuff. I am not sure what a dregree will do as far as opening doors, but I do know what you learn in school will not be real helpful as Beer Slayer mentioned.
It seemed like when I did interviews for hiring, the guys with certs always had the "hands on" knowledge I needed an employee to have so they could hit the ground running. THe degree guys had a lot of theory and stuff, but if I asked them the color coding for Cat5 wiring they did not know it. My advice is to start racking up some Industry certs to complement your degree. Start with something simple like A+ or Network+ and after you decide what part of "Computer Science" you wish to work in, go after some certs that apply to those areas. Aviator |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:22:25 PM EDT
[#10]
cause it's IBM. every swinging richard wants a piece of that action. I've worked at IBM too and you'd do well, especially in this day and age, to have something to offer them. You do know that they are offshoring 45% of their staff to India by 2005/2006, right? Which takes us to the subject of ...IT outsourcing. IBM is not the only one outsourcing. Every major corporation is doing it...it's mostly in IT now, but they are also doing it with most Admin tasks. |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:23:02 PM EDT
[#11]
Lockheed Martin was hiring a ton of people last year...at least certain divisions were. Think they still are.
I also have almost completed a CSci degree but all I can say is run--the industry looks like crap and working in a cubicle is bad. Just my opinion. |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:24:49 PM EDT
[#12]
move to India
every CS related job around here wants 5+ years experience the ones listed as entry level want 3+ |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:28:45 PM EDT
[#13]
not a swinging richard, but thanks for the feedback... |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:32:13 PM EDT
[#14]
Do you like programming? If not, then how much systems admin stuff (UNIX, Windows, etc) have you had? Those are the 'top 2' for CS -> either go into MIS as an admin, or become a programmer... You could allways join the military & go into communications or similar... (then again, I'm the guy with a MIS degree who's aspiration in life is to be an armor officer for the US Army...) |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:37:13 PM EDT
[#15]
But printers are not. We spend more on labor repairing printers per year than we do on buying new servers and upgrading old ones. High-end printers require a lot of TLC. The idea that paperless offices are the future doesn't appear to be happening any time soon, so there should be work for a long time.z |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:37:24 PM EDT
[#16]
from my experiance here this is what i have found. local management is responsible for hiring. they gather the resumes and then ask the product specialist in the area they are looking for for suggestions. I have sat in on several interviews and even taken a few prospects on ride along. IBM is a political monster. There are MANY MANY resumes for every opening. Most of the guys we have hired in the past had an "IN" with the local team. In every case i had worked with or known "the new guy" from other customer accounts or freinds. Resumes are a waste of time in this company in my area. If you want an "IN" get to know the local techs. We have an enourmous amount of pull in the hiring process here. Technical skills are a plus but IBM will Teach you what you need to know. I started with ZERO certs but had a cousin that was manager in another group. He got me in. 2 years later i had some SERIOUS certification on IBM's bill. I really hate to even mention this.... Above everything else you take suck it up and the the A+ cert. We all know it is worthless but it is the VERY first thing every employer looks for. Regardless of the job at hand. mike |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:40:27 PM EDT
[#17]
yes but printer techs get paid shit and shit on by most comapnies. |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:40:46 PM EDT
[#18]
Let's see, let me ask my wife -
- Nope, it still sucks. She's laid off again, 6 months last year, since July this year. Last year was the first time she had been out of work since she graduated in 1978. Her most recent experience is programming SAP applications. |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:41:55 PM EDT
[#19]
I work in a cubicle doing software analysis/programming/debugging everyday. It sucks ass. For the time being I'll stick it out, because the pay's good and my company will not outsource. But I'd much rather have a job where I could fart, swear, and scratch my balls when I want to.
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:46:23 PM EDT
[#20]
WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF HARDWARE!!  We are usually seen as the neanderthals of the computer industry. |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:52:15 PM EDT
[#21]
Thank you Sir - I did/do have an in with several IBM PMs - but can no longer travel - hurts me now with my career - oh well. Starting own business. Wish me luck
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Posted: 9/12/2004 5:53:54 PM EDT
[#22]
Rent or buy "Office Space".
Next: Do you like sunrises? Oh, well, if you don't, then don't get into I.T. Sorry...I've been in the business since 1976....and it's great. But, you need a spouse/significant other that understands the three following words.. "I Don't Know" That's the answer to the person who calls and says "When are you gonna be home?" or "When will you get if fixed?" Sorry to be blunt, but I.T. is very demanding, and especially if it is in a truly mission critical environment. However, the money is good, and you rarely have to get filthy. All that being said, would I do it again? No, I'd be a radiology tech. |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 6:05:25 PM EDT
[#23]
Amen to that - I hated getting up at 02dark hundred hours being onsite almost before security. There are other jobs like that as well - such as combat units in the Marine Corps. |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 6:06:16 PM EDT
[#24]
very well said. At times i have actually considered crack whoring to be a step up
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Posted: 9/12/2004 6:18:01 PM EDT
[#25]
PDNTSPA - Pick a layer and excel.
Content switches, VPN, PKI, OS security, design, development, test... whateva. Just so long as you can't be replaced by some Indian that will do it for a bowl of rice and a warm blanky. |
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Posted: 9/12/2004 7:38:52 PM EDT
[#26]
First, plan on being a leader both technically as well from a business perspective. Get a minor in business. If all you can do is code your ass is outsourced (or the more PC phrase off shored). Pick a specialization area. This is hard. You can name your price if you can write Eclipse plugins that really do something. Lots of development on top of Eclipse over the next few years. A big one that I see coming is Privacy. That's not quite the same as security. Take some classes in Law if this interests you. As technology becomes more pervasive there will be a huge demand for software to protect you from other software. Just wait until someone starts putting RFID chips into weapons so they can tell everytime you go to the gun range, or drive by check points, or so cops can search your car without ever opening a single door. Broadband wireless is going to get here in the next 7 years and that is going to drive high tech into everything everywhere. Read the MIT Review or some other forward looking tech mags and see what's coming about the time you will graduate. Have a plan or Satish and his twelve brothers and sisters will be waiting to do your job for pennies on the dollar. Be able to think, create, and manage and Satish will have to take someone else's pay check. There will always be jobs in this field for those who are gifted, talented, and motivated. If you chose this degree because you like what you'll be doing you will probably come out fine. If you are doing it because it sounded good or you know someone who does well in seek another field. Good luck.
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Posted: 9/12/2004 7:46:39 PM EDT
[#27]
Most of the Contracters working where I work for the USAF, are working for Lockheed Martin. At least in DoD, you don't have to worry about your job being outsourced to India. |
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