Computer Job

[Dabomb18359]

Even though I have a few years to worry, I was wondering what computer jobs are available. I have seen some people post before about it and would get a decent response.
I am interested in computer science and like pretty much anything you do working on the computer, but not like the physical hardware stuff. I am not a graphics designer and don't want to make games full time, so what are some good bets and preferably I'd like ones with higher salaries, but who doesn't? Just list some or if there's a link or some info you have, share it please. Thanks!

 

[MarineCorps]

Well the highest paid jobs are in Consulting. I job shadowed a guy who said you can make $50,000 to $100,000 a year depending on if your self employed or not.

 

[vbraun]

Computer Repair sounds like such a boring job...

 

[Godwynn]

I hear CISCO Networkers make a ton of money plus more.

 

[MarineCorps]

Computer Repair sounds like such a boring job...

Actually the guy was telling me 60% of his job is dealing with people.

 

[Lord Valentine]

Well the highest paid jobs are in computer repair.

Doesn't this involve hardware?

Dabomb, from your description I conclude that you might be interested in software development, or maybe software analysis/design. I'm a developer myself, and obviously like working with computers. However, I must say that, as it is with any job probably, but still, you'll sometimes need a lot of patience when struggling with some 'hidden feature' (i.e. bug). Your salary will depend on what you can do and how good you do it...

The techs to look for currently are Java (J2EE) and .NET (C#). I'm sure you'll be able to get some more info on that using Google.

BTW: you say that you're not a graphics designer and don't want to make games, those 2 don't necessarily have to be combined you know. There are many different types of game-related jobs: graphics designer, AI programmers, general developers, ...

 

[Comraddict]

Well the highest paid jobs are in computer repair. I job shadowed a guy who said you can make $50,000 to $100,000 a year depending on if your self employed or not.

huh? those are worst paying computer jobs, making $10.hr for big retailers....

Since you like programming, learn the Java and few hundred prayers.

 

[Grisu]

huh? those are worst paying computer jobs, making $10.hr for big retailers..

Agreed, along with Sys Admins, these guys are the lowest paid around here. The biggest buck is usually in consulting, but for that you have to talk a lot and you won't have much "real" work to do. Personally I decided to skip the biggest buck, and go for something I actually like (I hate running from meeting to meeting). So I endend up in System/Software Engineering.

 

[MarineCorps]

Agreed, along with Sys Admins, these guys are the lowest paid around here. The biggest buck is usually in consulting, but for that you have to talk a lot and you won't have much "real"

Consulting. That rights. The guy I followed around was from a company call MHK Consulting,

 

[jguy100]

What exactly do software developers do?

 

[vbraun]

Actually the guy was telling me 60% of his job is dealing with people.

Sorry, Boring and Impossible.

 

[Dabomb18359]

Well it sounds good. Are there many job openings like the geek squad people? Because they solve simple tasks and probably make good money.

 

[Meleager]

I'm an IT uni student myself. There are lots of IT jobs around...

The best paying...
consulting
CIO (chief information officer)
CEO (yep thats right - buisnesses are begining to hire it people as their CEOs)
archetects (people who come up with business solutions)
IT managers
Sercurity experts

Others...
Programers
Network admins
Database programers
etc

The old myth about IT people sitting in a back room at their computer like a hermit is dead (if it ever existed). Nowadays, alot of it is about meeting peoples / businesses needs and stuff. I've learnt almost as much about buisness as I have about IT.

As far as job openings go... its on the rise (at least in australia). There is actually a IT skills shortage. (just ask Bill Gates - he is desperate for sercurity experts). At the same time there are alot of IT people unemployed (programers and such). Basically the first list I gave you is desperately needed, the second list not as much.

 

[sysyphus]

Has anybody moved into IT from a different profession?

I'm a chemical engineer with a bit of computer and electronics savvy and was wanting to move into a more computer releated job, I particularly like programming in C++.

Just wondering if and how I coul dmove over without actually going back to school to get a comp sci degree.

 

[Dida]

Well, I personally would not suggest that people move into the IT field.
Learning Java and C++? Those are some of the most boring stuff out there, not to mention they are difficult. And, good luck finding a job.
The problem with IT jobs is so much of it is being outsourced each year, there is virtually a surplus of IT workers in the USA. If you have a CS degree, it is not good enough to get you a job, since there are people out there with years of degree looking at the same job that you are applying to. Especially with hardcore programming stuff like C++ or Java, 5 years of experience or more is usually required.
You will have a better shot if you go into things like asp.net, or HTML, web design. Or, consulting, of course. There jobs are less likely to be outsourced, a company would not want to consult someone in India for a computer problem at hand, for example. And for the web design type of jobs, they are so low paying, it is not profitable to outsource them. For a good web design position, some knowledge of Database is a must. Overall, this is a bad bad field to go into. If you are a high school student, take my advice, do not decide so quickly to head into the IT field. Take some programming classes, check it out. And plus, you need to realize that the vast majority of computer jobs are not related to programming, at least not programming in the sense like C++.

 

[Meleager]

Well, I personally would not suggest that people move into the IT field.
Learning Java and C++? Those are some of the most boring stuff out there, not to mention they are difficult. And, good luck finding a job.
The problem with IT jobs is so much of it is being outsourced each year, there is virtually a surplus of IT workers in the USA. If you have a CS degree, it is not good enough to get you a job, since there are people out there with years of degree looking at the same job that you are applying to. Especially with hardcore programming stuff like C++ or Java, 5 years of experience or more is usually required.
You will have a better shot if you go into things like asp.net, or HTML, web design. Or, consulting, of course. There jobs are less likely to be outsourced, a company would not want to consult someone in India for a computer problem at hand, for example. And for the web design type of jobs, they are so low paying, it is not profitable to outsource them. For a good web design position, some knowledge of Database is a must. Overall, this is a bad bad field to go into. If you are a high school student, take my advice, do not decide so quickly to head into the IT field. Take some programming classes, check it out. And plus, you need to realize that the vast majority of computer jobs are not related to programming, at least not programming in the sense like C++.

Narrow view of IT. Your right, there is a surplus of workers in those areas. But is others there is a skills shortage (check my post above). You just need to be carefull to control your courier. It isn't all doom and gloom for IT jobs.

 

[vbraun]

Learning Java and C++? Those are some of the most boring stuff out there, not to mention they are difficult.

Ahh, when stuff gets to hard you run away? j/k I find programming a really addicitive thing. The hard part is getting started with something, after you get past that step its hard to put down.

 

[Dida]

Most of the jobs you cited have a gloomy future. Even if people manages to get a job in those field, they will have to live in constant fear of being laid off, as their job can be outsourced any day. Other that you have cited are impossible to obtain by recent graduates, such CIO, or CEO, or IT Manager, expect to put at least 10 years of working experience in your back before someone will hire you as an IT Manager.
Others are just ridiculous, such as Security Expert. Do you expect your university education to be enough to make you an expert in computer security? Since you are still a student, you probably do not know the job market that well. In fact, once you start looking for jobs, you will realize that your university education hardly teach you anything about the skill really needed at a work place. Most schools do not teach more than 2 or 3 programming languages, for example, and none of them teaches anything that is really hot that a particular moment, such as .net right now. These skills you would have to learn by yourself, or enroll at some community college to learn.
Bottomline is, there are jobs in the IT field, but its number is likely to continue to shrink, and most jobs will increasing be research jobs, or very high level expert jobs, as these positions are almost impossible to outsource. There won't be enough jobs for people currently graduating from college in the next few years, for sure.

 

[Dida]

Ahh, when stuff gets to hard you run away? j/k I find programming a really addicitive thing. The hard part is getting started with something, after you get past that step its hard to put down.

programming were not difficult for me, but they are difficult more most student of computer science.
I have worked several years in computer fields after college, until i decided to go for law. well, good for me though, I was thinking about master in CS, but decided law would be better. At that time CS was looking pretty good, that's pre-2000.
programming is just so boring, i can't believe people would enjoy doing them for life. plus, you are no good after the age of 40 in the computer field, unless you move to higher managerial position, which isn't possible for most people. overall, there is not much potential in this field. computer jobs, especially programming jobs are increasing becoming a manufactoring job, only that, instead of making cars on the assembly line, you make softwares in your cubicle. How much potential is in that?
however, getting a CS degree and then do something else wouldn't be so bad, as a rigorous education in logic and so on can open up a host of opportunities.
the bottomline? just because you studied computers doesn't mean you have to work in the computer field.

 

[Meleager]

Most of the jobs you cited have a gloomy future. Even if people manages to get a job in those field, they will have to live in constant fear of being laid off, as their job can be outsourced any day. Other that you have cited are impossible to obtain by recent graduates, such CIO, or CEO, or IT Manager, expect to put at least 10 years of working experience in your back before someone will hire you as an IT Manager.
Others are just ridiculous, such as Security Expert. Do you expect your university education to be enough to make you an expert in computer security? Since you are still a student, you probably do not know the job market that well. In fact, once you start looking for jobs, you will realize that your university education hardly teach you anything about the skill really needed at a work place. Most schools do not teach more than 2 or 3 programming languages, for example, and none of them teaches anything that is really hot that a particular moment, such as .net right now. These skills you would have to learn by yourself, or enroll at some community college to learn.
Bottomline is, there are jobs in the IT field, but its number is likely to continue to shrink, and most jobs will increasing be research jobs, or very high level expert jobs, as these positions are almost impossible to outsource. There won't be enough jobs for people currently graduating from college in the next few years, for sure.

Sorry I should have mention I was a QUT student. They teach those causes you seem to believe under-grads cant get. (sercurity and it management are majors (note: QUT is an international recognised expert sercurity institution)). Out of curiousity have you learnt IT? anyways i'm not too worried my uni has a 87% success rate and provides 70% of queenslands IT graduates. (but then my uni is also fairly unique in the way it interacts with the "real world")

I know whats out there cause...
1. They stuff that info down our throats everyday
2. I'm not stupid enough to trust them so I look it up myself

as a side note: UNIs dont teach every programing lanuage cause once you learn the logic you can pick up a new language in a day.

There is an IT skills shortage. Serious. look it up. and the number of jobs is likely to grow (constant growth rate scince the slump after 2000).