Need career advice

[Mehmet]

Hi everyone,

I will be starting college next month and I will be doing a Computer Maintenance course and I was just wondering what kind of job opportunities this will open for me. I was thinking on the lines of a computer technician? Or something similar.

Basically, I was hoping that someone here would be able to advise me. Tell me what kind of job opportunities this will open for me, what kind of things I will expect to be doing, to give me an insight of what it's like to work in this area.

I look forward to your replies


Mehmet

[Lespaul20]

With a computer maintenance course I would expect a computer support/tech kind of position.

What you would be doing will depend a lot on where you get a job. You could probably end up doing anything from building/repairing PCs to troubleshooting at a call center.

From personal experience, I would look in to what kind of work you would enjoying doing for a while and then explore what is needed to do it.

[Mehmet]

Thank you for your reply,

I think a job repairing PCs sounds alright. I could start off working for a big company, and once I gain a reasonable amount of experience I could go solo.

Does anyone know what kind of pay range they get? Usually they charge £20 an hour so I am guessing they make a decent amount of money.

If anyone has had experience in this area, I would love to know more


Mehmet

[glc]

That's not 20 quid in your pocket, there's business overhead and taxes.

[Mehmet]

Yes ofcourse, I am aware of that.


Mehmet

[mairving]

Computer repairs is really a dead end particularly for a college degree. If you have the appitude then programming or systems management will pay more and has a brighter career path in the long run.

[HAL9000]

Exactly what mairving said. I did computer repair for 10 years. It's a very dead end. I ended up hopping from job to job because it's a competitive business and every place I worked for (with the exception of the last) went belly up. The most I ever got paid was $1600 per month which these days just isn't enough. I ended up doing a lot of work under the table to make a decent living.. that meant working evenings and weekends.. and endless phone calls at home looking for help for this and that.. it just wasn't worth it.

[Mehmet]

Programming did appeal to me - however I don't think I have the ability to make it work for me. I thought C# would be nice to learn, so I brought a few books.. but it's all just too confusing and complicated. And I guess since I really struggle when it comes to mathematics it wouldn't work for me.


Mehmet

[Mehmet]

You guys have got me worried now.. I'm confused


Mehmet

[mairving]

Originally Posted by Mehmet You guys have got me worried now.. I'm confused Mehmet

Getting a college degree in computer repair would be like getting a college degree to flip burgers at McD's. The cost of the degree would never justify the money that you could earn. It is just simple math. If you like doing computer stuff and don't have much aptitude for programming then I would consider systems management which has a better career path or network administration.

[Mehmet]

Hmm ok mairving, you have given me something to think about. After I do the course I will be able to progress onto a foundation degree in networking which covers:

Course content and structure
Level 4 (Year 1)
Introduction to Computer Systems
Study and Workplace Skills
Networking Basics (CCNA1)
Information Technology in Organisations
Working as a Professional – Work Based
Learning Module
Networks – Routers and Routing (CCNA 2)
Level 5 (Year 2)
Web Development
Introduction to Computer Programming
Networks – Switching (CCNA 3)
Installing and Supporting Hardware
Professional Project – Work Based Learning Module
Networks – WAN Technologies (CCNA 4)

Would that be any better?


Mehmet

[bd1886]

Main thing (as with any career) is to get your feet wet first and see where it leads you. A friend of mine started out thinking that he'd like to get into the "computer field" and with that first step he became interested in the movement of the information instead. [Heck... now he does his work in his pj's and slippers more than half the time, and goes into the office for the"touchy/feely stuff" (his words) for the rest. His productivity shot way up and his pay has followed suit. "What a dog!"(Mine!)] His understanding of the hardware(then the software) was the perfect first step.

Guess what I'm trying to say is... Just "jump" and start networking with people of a similar mind set while keeping your eyes open for opportunities. Good luck!

[bd1886]

Main thing (as with any career) is to get you feet wet first and see where it leads you. A friend of mine started out thinking that he'd like to get into the "computer field" and with that first step he became interested in the movement of the information instead. [Heck... now he does his work in his pj's and slippers more than half the time, and goes into the office for the"touchy/feely stuff" (his words) for the rest. His productivity shot way up and his pay has followed suit. "What a dog!"(Mine)] His understanding of the hardware(then the software) was the perfect first step.

Guess what I'm trying to say is... Just "jump" and start networking with people of a similar mind set while keeping your eyes open for opportunities. Good luck!

[mairving]

Originally Posted by Mehmet Hmm ok mairving, you have given me something to think about. After I do the course I will be able to progress onto a foundation degree in networking which covers: Course content and structure Level 4 (Year 1) Introduction to Computer Systems Study and Workplace Skills Networking Basics (CCNA1) Information Technology in Organisations Working as a Professional – Work Based Learning Module Networks – Routers and Routing (CCNA 2) Level 5 (Year 2) Web Development Introduction to Computer Programming Networks – Switching (CCNA 3) Installing and Supporting Hardware Professional Project – Work Based Learning Module Networks – WAN Technologies (CCNA 4) Would that be any better? Mehmet

It would be better. You will need to find that delicate balance of doing what you love to do vs. making a decent living. Main thing is never do what you hate just because of what you make. It's okay to do something that you don't mind as long as it pays enough. Nirvana is when you find a job that pays good and you love doing it.

[Mehmet]

Thank you all very much for your advice - it has been very beneficial I must say!

I think I will do the computer maintenance course, which will then allow me to study further in university (what to study, that I am not sure of yet).. and I guess I'll just take it on from there and see what happens.


Mehmet

[ZeratulsAvenger]

I only want to mention that programming is not so much about the math, but I think it depends on what sort of programming you would end up doing. I really doubt as if the run of the mill programmer finds themselves using complex mathematical algorithms. You have to be able to get the fundamentals down, the concepts, but I think you could avoid mathematically intense projects without much difficulty.

I agree that the employability of your skills is fundamental, but so is your enjoyment. I chose to major in Engineering Physics(going into my 2nd year), since I found myself intrigued by the world of Physics from day 1, but it is closely tied to engineering anyways, so combining it with engineering classes only makes me a little more employable. (A plain ol' physics major can be an engineer with ease too, but I guess I just had to be different )

If all else fails, you can carry courses over to whatever you study next... Can't say much is wasted in any case.

Good luck.

[Force Flow]

Right now, network security on business and corperate networks is a hot field. On the other hand, you really have to know what you're doing to get paid well, plus it comes with a lot of responsibility.

[David M]

Agree with Force. The more responsibility a job requires, the better the money. The more demand there is for from employers and the less the supply there is of qualified people, the better the money. Think along those lines.

Do some research on Monster.com, (or the British equivalent) and other job search sites to see who is getting paid the most and what type of computer professional is in the greatest demand. See what amount of salaries are being offered for what types of positions.

Keep in mind those types of jobs will probably require a four year college degree and a few years of experience. Of course it will take time and money to get there but isn't that what you are really looking for?..a well paying job?

I have always believed that nothing worthwhile is easy to obtain.

[jimmyrules712]

I'm in college now and am majoring in Management Information Systems. I take a lot of business classes, some networking, some programming, and some classes that focus on information technology and applying it to businesses, etc. I'd say doing computer repair is a good job for colelge students (It's what I do) but not for a career.

[Mehmet]

Thank you all again for your advice.

I'm not sure if you are aware of this (since you all live in the US) but college isn't the same as University. University is what comes AFTER college. College is usually 1 - 2 years long, then you go to University for up to 4 years+

So once I complete this computer maintenance course, that should allow me to do other courses in University.. such as networking and other computer related courses.

Just wanted to clarify that, because I think what you call "high school" is what we call "college" (I could be wrong, not sure) But yeah, college comes before University.


Mehmet

[LeftyAce]

I think what you call "high school" is what we call "college"

That's right. UK "college" comes at the same time as the end of US "10th grade" so sort of in the middle of our "high school" block.

[jimmyrules712]

sounds like the UK college is also similar to our junior college.

I attend Kansas State University, but anyone I know would say I'm at college.


So if you're just talking about getting training that wil lget you a decent job for a few years until you are ready for a career, then PC repair will probably be good enough. Just don't plan on making a high paying career out of it.

[rave]

i do Computer Science and Management Studies in nottingham uni. its alright i guess. much better than Electronic Engineering which i flunked out of
you have to pick your modules carefully. especially if you are not the studying type. im more of a practical person rather than a theoretical one. so things like algorithmic problem solving and discrete maths are beyond me. for engineering maths i used to get 70+ for discrete mathematics i got 30. lol. so choose a balance. i do enjoy my course but sometimes i wish it were more hands on. im sure half the people in the course have no idea where zero pin is on a processor.