School Advice

[AMDpwnz0r]

Well I'm 18 almost 19 years old and im really interested in computers (mostly the hardware aspect) Ive been building my own for a few years now, and so far Ive though that I had a pretty good amount of knowledge toward them, but a lot of you know so much its pretty crazy. I would like to make a career with computers, i really enjoy them a lot, so I wanted to ask for some opinions on what classes I should take in college to increase my knowledge, and also what kind of jobs can I obtain with these skills. Looking for some advice, Thanks

 

[Lowndsey]

depends what you are interested in. There are a million different computer related careers out there that totally differ.

 

[CrazyTiger]

Where do you live and how much money can you shell out for tuition?

 

[netBooger]

Computer Engineering maybe if you like the hardware aspect.

 

[63083]

First off, if you can help it, don't go to college. I have heard from a good number of freinds that have graduated, and that college is the biggest waste of time and money. That being said, it depends on where you live. If you live in fairly urban area (any area that has businesses where there are lots of computers) , you could concider a job there being a computer repair person. Those kind of jobs pay well enough, like $28,000 or so I think. And then save up money for a while and do a two year online college ($2,000 - 3,000 for 4 semesters of tuition) and then get your self bumped up to a higher paying job ($44,000 avg.). Then get yourself into your own business (if that's your plan) or or do what ever the hell you want. I say this because you are most likely to learn more on this forum about computers in a year than you probably ever will in a 4 year program. Because the state college course guild lines for CSU (Colorado State University) in computer classes is all like like high school typ stuff until junior year. Then it's a mix of computer, core, and electives, then you actually get to do stuff with computers during your senior year.

 

[netBooger]

First off, if you can help it, don't go to college. I have heard from a good number of freinds that have graduated, and that college is the biggest waste of time and money. That being said, it depends on where you live. If you live in fairly urban area (any area that has businesses where there are lots of computers) , you could concider a job there being a computer repair person. Those kind of jobs pay well enough, like $28,000 or so I think. And then save up money for a while and do a two year online college ($2,000 - 3,000 for 4 semesters of tuition) and then get your self bumped up to a higher paying job ($44,000 avg.). Then get yourself into your own business (if that's your plan) or or do what ever the hell you want. I say this because you are most likely to learn more on this forum about computers in a year than you probably ever will in a 4 year program. Because the state college course guild lines for CSU (Colorado State University) in computer classes is all like like high school typ stuff until junior year. Then it's a mix of computer, core, and electives, then you actually get to do stuff with computers during your senior year.

Do not follow this advice. I am a college graduate, and hold a degree in the computer field, so I know a little about this.

The best thing you can do is go to college, and while in college you can try and find a job being a pc technician or help desk support person. Most jobs will require you to have a degree, or if you don't have one then you need to have that much more work experience. This means you will have to stay longer at a low paying job.

And when your resume drops on the recruiters desk and he sees one went to college and finished, and the other has not, who do you think is going to get interviewed first? And it's not necessarily that you went to college but it is the fact that you committed to something and were willing to finish it.

As for classes, yes the first two years are filled with electives that build up most of the prerequisites you will need for you major. Your major basically consists of the last two years or so of college. This would be when you do most of your technical (in this case computer stuff) classes, but you don't learn nearly as much on your own. It is a combination of classwork and hard work while outside the classroom. Not too mention those last two years you can try and get an intern position at a company and be set for when you get out of college.

Or you can go to a technical school, and get a lot more hands on training and you will get it a lot quicker.

 

[AMDpwnz0r]

Do not follow this advice. I am a college graduate, and hold a degree in the computer field, so I know a little about this.

The best thing you can do is go to college, and while in college you can try and find a job being a pc technician or help desk support person. Most jobs will require you to have a degree, or if you don't have one then you need to have that much more work experience. This means you will have to stay longer at a low paying job.

And when your resume drops on the recruiters desk and he sees one went to college and finished, and the other has not, who do you think is going to get interviewed first? And it's not necessarily that you went to college but it is the fact that you committed to something and were willing to finish it.

As for classes, yes the first two years are filled with electives that build up most of the prerequisites you will need for you major. Your major basically consists of the last two years or so of college. This would be when you do most of your technical (in this case computer stuff) classes, but you don't learn nearly as much on your own. It is a combination of classwork and hard work while outside the classroom. Not too mention those last two years you can try and get an intern position at a company and be set for when you get out of college.

Or you can go to a technical school, and get a lot more hands on training and you will get it a lot quicker.

Thanks a lot for the advice

Also I live in Southern California, with parents, so housing / food is no worry of mine thank god.

I don't mind working lower paying jobs for a while, it gives experience, but I do want to prepare for the future.

 

[63083]

Thanks a lot for the advice

Also I live in Southern California, with parents, so housing / food is no worry of mine thank god.

I don't mind working lower paying jobs for a while, it gives experience, but I do want to prepare for the future.

Hell of a lucky you. I get kicked out when I graduate so I gotta pay for food, rent, tuition, computer stuff, and hell of a lot of other stuff.

 

[netBooger]

No problem.

You need to figure out what kind of computer stuff you want to do. Here are some examples of computer jobs:

System Engineer
Network Engineer
Systems Administrator
Network Administrator
Database Administrator
Programmer
Web Developer
Web Administrator
Information Technology Specialist
Support Technician
Systems Analyst
and there are more

Keep in mind that there are different kinds of emphasis on some of these jobs such as security, wireless, etc...

Also keep in mind that with any computer job comes certifications on top of your schooling. They don't hold as much weight as they used to but employers still like to see them. Some examples of the certifications are (Google any of the acronyms to find out more):


MCSA
MCSE
MCDBA
A+
Network+
Security+
Server+
CCNA
CISSP
CWNP
CIW
MCAD
MCSD
BCPIP
and the list goes on and on.

 

[Austinn1]

I am currently attending college for Computer Science. As others have said, the first couple years are a waste of your time. Its all general stuff.