My future

[Klutz_atlantis]

Hello,

I am starting my senior year of high-school and I'm trying to figureout what I want to do with my life. I have narrowed it down a little for myself. As of now I am working toard my A+ certification at my local "Techcenter". The main reason is that I have a lack hands on experience and knowledge. The knowledge I would get from taking this course. It is a much different course than the course most of you have taken it is dummed down a little and we spend a whole school year going over the "computer".

I am considering three possible fields:

-Computer Engineer

-Web Page Design

-Networking

I have been doing some research about what these jobs are all about, but I was hoping that some you could shed some more light on these jobs. I also have some questions as to how the job market is doing and how much demand there is out there.

There is a fourth possible field I would consider but I really don't see myself personally filling that role - Professor or Teacher.

Any guidance or advice you guys could give me would be much appreciated. Please if I've left vital information out ask me for it.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Thanks,
Klutz

[wireant]

Hi Klutz,
First of all your different choices are very different. Computer engineering is an extremely rigorous major and you need good grades to be able to be accepted at a school. Networking and web design are rather easy majors and would most likely only be two year's. If you are smart and have good grades, are good in math, and will try hard I would look further into engineering.

If you do not want to do that then I would look into Information Technology. THat would encompass both networking and some web design. Although I would recomend going to a four year school for IT and specializing in a certain area. Since their are many so-called IT professional's that got their degree from the tv, you want to stand out so you will get a job and be payed. I hope I have helped you out.

[ryanatalie]

I'm a little biased in my opinion, but I would major in electrical engineering. There are many jobs out there that are fun and pay well.

[Talbie]

of course i am really biased. but have you considered the military? you do four years get plenty of hands on work (which employers like) get money for college. And if you go into the right fields you get to work on some of the most state of the art stuff. plus the military will pay for some certs.

just a thought.

Talbie

[raftero]

i agree with talbie,pay isn't too bad for a single person and you have time to make a mature decision about your future.i learned my trade in the navy(air traffic control)i have never regretted my 4 yrs in the service.of course thats not for everyone.

[mbossman2]

If I could go back and do it all over again:

I would get a dual major in the tech field and business.

A lot of tech guys are just that, technical in orientation and that can limit your career growth, especially in a coporate environment.

With the business degree, you will have grounding on both the tech side and the business side. That can be a powerful combination, especially as you grow and your career grows, you may find you like the business side as much as the tech side.

[Blakhart]

Porn star?

[Klutz_atlantis]

I thank you all for your replies (even the not so serious ones). I have looked at one college in particular. I live in Michigan and Michigan Tech is a good option for engineering and what not. I am considering some sort of degree in buisness along with a a computer degree.

As for grades I have a 3.59 GPA on a 4.0 scale (not so bad). I'm #5 in class rankings and I am a member of the national honor society. I am currently taking a pre-calc course and my highschool while also trying to get A+ certified at my local tech-center.

As for the millitary, I mean not to offend, I have profound respect for it. My great uncle was a marine in WWII, my grandfather was a merchant seaman, and my other grandfather was in Germany during Korea (speaks German). My brother was a marine and is currently in the National Guard. I have decided against joining the armed services and am going to college.


Thanks,

Klutz

[Tuf]

I got my Master's with the help of the Navy, but I agree it's not for everyone.

[Werewolfdaddy]

I may be a little out of the loop on this one, because I haven't checked in a while; but if you really want to get into this industry, your best bet would be programming. Programmers make some of the best money and there is always a demand for them.

[Steegs]

I am currently a junior going for a computer engineering degree. Theres a lot of things you could do with this degree since it includes electrical and software engineering aspects. But if you want to do serious chip designing for a company, you are going to have to go to a good grad school. Just something to think about.

[Klutz_atlantis]

I am interested in chips but would an MBA be worth getting? Is there a demand for computer/buisness corperate people?

And on a different note is MichiganTech a worthwhile school?


Thanks in advance,

Klutz

[doctorgonzo]

I think there is always a demand for people who are skilled in more than one area. You can definitely set yourself apart from the rest if you work in business but have computer knowledge, or vice versa. What company wouldn't be happy to have an employee who can do their computer work too, instead of having to hire an expensive outside consultant?

[Paul Victorey]

Also, if you're more the thinker type than the artist, don't do web design. Web design is more art than computer work -- it's usually trivially easy, from a tech point (the exception being scripting and the like, which is still usually easy if you have a strong programming experience) -- and you will probably find it not enough of a challenge to interest you. If you have a good sense for artistry, page layout, etc. it may be up your alley. But then, I'd say go into computer graphics if you're an artist with tech aspirations.

As an engineer, I'd say go for an engineering degree. A MBA would be a nice finishing touch, as well -- I may eventually pick one up.

[Klutz_atlantis]

The problem for me is that I'm good an many things, but "gifted" in none. I am a thinker and I pencil sketch pictures of things. The only thing I need motivation for is to learn a programming language. I have yet to learn even a decent scripting language. The only thing I sort of know is HTML. I guess the job I'd be best suited for or see myself in is a corperate upper level management job. I am pretty good at leading and following.


There is one option that I would like to pursue. I have a keen interest in designing or on a design team of a video game. I wouldn't like to do all the programming things but the actual hashing out of the game including storey boards, visauls, and paper work that goes along with that buisness would I guess be sort of a dream job for myself. I know this sounds like a dream job of a lot of inexperieced younens', but I this is what I would like to work toard. If any of you out there can offer information on this topic would be great.

TIA,

Klutz

[troysvihl]

I guess the job I'd be best suited for or see myself in is a corperate upper level management job.

To get into upper management, you pretty much have to get an MBA nowdays. But since you're just in high school, that's pretty far off. You need to get at least a bachelors first. And even then, you should probably work for at least one or two years before heading back to get the MBA.

I have a keen interest in designing or on a design team of a video game. I wouldn't like to do all the programming things but the actual hashing out of the game including storey boards, visauls, and paper work that goes along with that buisness would I guess be sort of a dream job for myself.

That's a tough job to get. To break into the gaming industry, you pretty much have to do your time in the trenches with hard-core programming for a few years. And those jobs are tough to get too. The best bet is to construct a few mods and send them to game companies to let them see what you're capable of.

Get an engineering degree of some sort. (a BS from a reasonably good school) They all require the same classes for the first year or so. That way you can easily change your major, from say Comp Eng to Elec Eng, if you're more interested in another area. And if the gaming industry plans don't come through, you still have a valuable degree and can pursue other paths.