Need some advice for my future

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:12 am Post subject:

DBM,
I am with everyone else get a degree. I do much reading and what I have heard is people are looking for "Good" programmers. Not just programmers. I am a Sys Admin and I use it all. I do a little programming, Web development, Databases, hardware, software, network. Now I like Freak am a bad example with no degree. I just lucked out got a job with a small company. I also agree with doing what you like to do being you could possibly be doing this for a long time. I just happen to like technology. If you like computers and like technology I would say go for the MIS degree and take some programming classes like C++, C#, as much .NET you can stand. Try not to take some of the old programming languages of FORTRAN, COBOL and others.
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{uZa} Glockster
Hell is truth known too late. Riley

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:48 am Post subject:

I would be careful about concentrating on "programming" and software development as a target. Take the computer courses and learn the programming, but take a look at a track that takes you more on the "program managment" side of things. These are the guys who run the software development projects, interface with the users and developers, manage the budget and resources and are responsible for system delivery, end user education and monitoring ongoing support and change requests.

A mid-level program manager (not a manager in the sense of having people under you, but in the sense of managing projects) can easily make 80-100k at a decent company with medium to large in-house projects, and if you can work your way into actual management in this area you are sure to be well over 6 figures.

The reason I suggest this track over pure software development / programming is that most of the larger companies have farmed out 75-80% of their development work to offshore (india, china, wherever) countries and this continues to be the trend. You will spend a lot of time looking over your shoulder waiting for the axe to fall... Guess what, it will... Sooner or later.

Some big companies have even farmed out the program management to offshore companies, but it isn't as prevalent and the smarter companies are afraid (rightly) to give up complete control to outsiders. IT shops today tend to keep the requirements gathering, system design, schedule and budget management and customer (internal or external) relationships in-house, while farming out the "coding" to india where the software developers make 20k instead of 90k.

Take a look at (and talk to professors and councilors) about what courses and majors can help you protect your future in a changing IT world.

Eagle
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Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:17 pm Post subject:

First. stop killing me so much on COD4. 2nd, you want a secure furture? Get a degree in Criminal Justice and go into law enforcement. They will always be dirt bags, we will never run out so the future is set! I am being a little sarcastic here, but honestly we can not find qualified men and women in law enforcement and jobs are plentiful here in California. The pay scale here is better then anywhere else too. Heck the Santa Ana Police Department a basic police officer tops out at $7,800.00 a month, without overtime, thats $93,600.00 a year. Then you have PD's like Beverly Hills PD the average officer receives about $120,000.00 a year with life time medical for officer and spouse. Yeah the cost of living is high here, but you can afford it. Then there are promotions above officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and so on and as you go up, the money goes up too! We have deputies on my department that grossed over $140,000.00 this past year with overtime. It might be something to look at and believe me you have time.

The first 2 years of college is general ed., so until the end of your freshman year you will take what every other freshman takes, so save some money and start out at a junior college, which is usually cheaper then 4 year universities and the courses are the same. But like Cynic said, PM Jobbones if you still want to get into computers.

P.S. Law enforcement needs somputer gurus too!
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Every man has to know his limitations, so Go Ahead, Make My DAY!

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 3:40 pm Post subject:

I'm looking to go into this school:

http://www.una.edu/

I'm not sure if it provides some of the areas you guys are recommending, so if you all could look over the majors I'd appreciate it.

I'm really in a bad family situation that may knock me out of getting some type of grant, but I'm praying that my ACT scores will be high enough to give me a pretty decent amount of money for school. If I'm able to go to UNA, I can live at home for free, eat free, and have a nice quiet environment to do work just like I'm used to.

Once again, I really appreciate all the help everyone is giving me. I've learned some things I didn't know, and I've confirmed some things I wasn't sure about. I'm sure it will all fall in place sooner or later, but I feel I'll be better prepared if I have some knowledge leading up to these decisions and changes in life.
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Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:16 pm Post subject:

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Is why I suggested to go to a junior college for the first 2 years, they usually are a lot cheaper and provide the general ed requirements you need to start into your major. Any school you go to you will not be taking any of your major subjects at first anyway. You will be required to complete the general ed. classes first and those can be taken at a junior or community college at a whole lot cheaper. As a freshman you will be entitled to a guaranteed student loan of $2,650.00, which is the maximum you can borrow for freshman year. So do yourself and your family a favor and go to a JC or Community college for your general ed. Then you have 2 years to decide what you want to do. SAVE THE MONEY AND GO TO A JC or COMMUNITY COLLEGE first!
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Every man has to know his limitations, so Go Ahead, Make My DAY!

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:10 pm Post subject:

Yeah, what Hogan said. I can tell you from experience that Community College is a less expensive way to go. The C.C. I am attending costs $71.00 per credit hour. The average class being 3 credits; you do the math. Check with the school and get the ISBN number for the textbooks they want you to use and buy them on Amazon.com (used). You'll save more money.

I will be transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University next fall to finish my Bachelors Degree. VCU is a public university but the costs go up. One semester as a full-time student (12-15 credits) costs over $3,000. The per credit cost is $186.00. I'm not including room & board or meals. Figure the costs of four years at VCU vs. two at C.C. and then two at VCU. See the difference?

Also, don't forget to check with FAFSA about student loans and check with the school you hope to attend for any scholarships that they may offer. It will require some time and effort on your part, but you could save a great deal of money.

Hope that helps.
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Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage!

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:13 pm Post subject:

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:59 pm Post subject:

Not to burst your bubble, but don't count on it until you get it. My daughter several years ago applied and the only thing she got was the $2,625.00 student loan. She graduated # 5 in a class of 533, with a GPA of 3.997, and four years of advance placement classes. She also was the captain of her sports team and involved in community too.

Her mom and I made too much money (what a joke) and she was the wrong ethnic version to get any grants and scholarships. So make back up plans and then have back up plans to your back up plans. She didnt and missed an entire semester of schooling. Sorry to be the downer guy, but reality is, life sucks for white college kids with working parents.

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:48 pm Post subject:

Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:49 pm Post subject:

Oh sorry to hear about the misfortunes. But you sound like someone with a good head on their shoulders, good man! Yes it will help you immensely living with grandparents! Anything we can do to help you let us know.
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Every man has to know his limitations, so Go Ahead, Make My DAY!

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 8:14 am Post subject:

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:43 pm Post subject:

Sorry to dig this thread up but I'm really excited right now.

I just received a Leadership Scholarship to The University of North Alabama for $2000 a year!!!

I realize it won't pay for everything, but that really cuts into what I have to pay. The price of college should be very managable now and I still have more scholarships I'm waiting to hear from.

Thanks for all the advice and help that everyone gave me some time ago. I'm pretty much set on what I want to do.
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Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:56 pm Post subject:

Way to go, DBM! Now you just have to apply yourself and keep up with your studies. I have no doubt you will do just that. Very Happy

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Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage!

Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 4:13 pm Post subject:

Thanks man. I have to take at least 12 hours every semester and I have to maintain a 2.75 GPA which I'm fully prepared to do. I'm really excited for my future now.
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