Just thinking about what am I going to do in my future.
Sorry for the long title. My problem is quite simple, actually. I just don't know what am i gonna do in my future.
When I first became interested in computers, all I can think of was the money. But, as i learned more about computers, the need for money suddenly vanished and all off a sudden I started to become interested in computers for, well..computers.
I'm studying IT in college now. It seems that everyone around me is for the pursuit of the good life, and everything they do with computers is well, basic. Some think I'm way to leet for them.No idea what linux is, no idea on how the internet works, what RAID is, etc.
(I'm in my second semester and i already did a detailed report on TCP/IP. My lecturer told me that only Degree students learn at this level of detail.)
When I think of joining the IT industry, I feel chills all over me. I've met so-called IT "experts" who thinks Linux is an archaic operating system that is nowhere to the level of Windows, think that FOSS is just a redundant movement, that Python and Ruby are nowhere to the "superiority" of VB and C++, have no idea what the hell TCP/IP is and can't even install Windows 2003 properly, that all forms of hacking are illegal and should be banned, etc.
No wonder they say studying IT is real easy, they missed out all the more important stuff.
Don't get me wrong. I still want to do computers for a living, but not as, well, as a corporate drone. My ambition is that I actually wanted to start my own computer magazine for enthusiasts that cover lots of subjects. I just didn't tell anyone, esp. my parents. They'll just laugh and discourage me and tell me about "how much that guy earns working at so-and-so corporation" stories. I'm tired of that bull. Those individuals might then work on surveilance, censorship, copy-protection, basically software that makes other people suffer for their own pay.
Well, that's all i want to say, can i have some opinion from members of this forum who have jobs in the IT industry, or at least work with computers for a living.
Yah, same here. I'm good at predicting things, but I cannot predict my own future :/. Not even two minutes are predictable for me.
I have absolutely no clue on what to do, what my plan is or whatever it is I will make money with. I've considered a variety of … areas to work in, they're all quite gray, as in non-legal. :/.
Sorry I can't be much of a help, just one note: Whoever says "Do what you want to do/what you like" should die. Now.
Edit
Why? Cause sometimes the train to HappyHappyLand isn't leaving on time, or leaving at all.
fuser wrote:
My ambition is that I actually wanted to start my own computer magazine for enthusiasts that cover lots of subjects. I just didn't tell anyone, esp. my parents.
Maybe a computer security enthusiasts magazine incluing other info aswell.
Dont let other peoples ambitions for you cloud your own ambitions.
fuser i agree with you to a degree.
the majority of IT experts i've met in my travels have indeed been extremely less skilled than one may hope them to be. This doesnt just apply to IT. This happens in every single job type you can get. There will always be someone who knows absolutely nothing and leaves you thinking "how the hell did they get this job". This isnt just an IT problem.
The ones who don't know what they're talking about, have probably been to uni, got their degree, learnt the theory.. but lack experiance… thats all it is.
i have met and work in the same building as some very top professional programmers and developers.
one guy develops image software for facial recognition to be used in security camera's / airports / gouvernment etc etc.
another guy runs his own open source project for an advanced cms secure login facility.
Theres also a guy who used to develop search software for altavista.
these are just a few examples of some people i work alongside.
so, not every IT expert is a retard.
jobs that are classed as "expert/professional/high level" IT jobs, such as Network Admin / School IT Technician etc… those you will often find the less skilled people, who know the bare minimum to get the job, or studied a degree at uni that didnt teach anything that can be used in the job.
But when you get to the bigger, better IT jobs (which im sure you will), such as programming / penetration testing .. thats when you'll meet the clever guys.
And in rergards to education and IT jobs. I got my web development job without needed any qualifications. It comes down to a very nice portfolio, CV, ethusiam, experiance and coding ability. None of which are picked up in the education system.
For most IT jobs (espically programming) There is little you will learn in higher education that you cant teach yourself in a few months, maybe a year.
Once you have an IT job, I find you learn new things as you go along. The only way to truley get experianced with an IT job, in my opinion is learnt along the way whilst your doing your job.
You are right, learning IT via the education system is easy. But that in no way means your good. The actual proper learning about IT comes from yout IT job.
Also.. a high level IT magazine would be great. I'd certainly buy it.
I'm at uni right now. and its pathetic. I look around and see most kids failing the computer classes. why? because 300 students packed into an auditorium is not a way to learn.
As for a future, it is what you make it. What do you want to do? Program, work in security, networking? Sort out what you enjoy most doing right now, and think of what you could do in the future. I have worked a few serious jobs for long term and I'll tell you finding a job you are glad to wake up for in the morning is hard. But I found one. So think to yourself what YOU want, not what your MOM or DAD wants…. YOU. And go off of that. :D
I know of VERY few people who got a Programmers Degree in college who enjoy programming. In my opinion it is the passion for what you want to do. If YOU think it would be cool to learn Computer related stuff make sure your dedicated to it and enjoy it or you will NEVER learn. There are at least 50 people I know, that think it is awesome if you can use a Computer but then if you tried to help them it goes no ware because they do NOT had a passion.
I personally want to become a Free Lance Web/Network Hacker, I started wanting this for the money, but as I got more into it I found that I enjoy it and that by being a Free Lance Hacker I may very well met other IT Security Admins who may know of techniques that I don't know. And in MY mind I want to learn as much about as much as I can.
So my advice to you, is try a bunch of stuff see what ones interest you the most and fallow it/them.
thanks for replying
Mr_Cheese wrote: fuser i agree with you to a degree.
the majority of IT experts i've met in my travels have indeed been extremely less skilled than one may hope them to be. This doesnt just apply to IT. This happens in every single job type you can get. There will always be someone who knows absolutely nothing and leaves you thinking "how the hell did they get this job". This isnt just an IT problem.
The ones who don't know what they're talking about, have probably been to uni, got their degree, learnt the theory.. but lack experiance… thats all it is.
i have met and work in the same building as some very top professional programmers and developers.
one guy develops image software for facial recognition to be used in security camera's / airports / gouvernment etc etc.
another guy runs his own open source project for an advanced cms secure login facility.
Theres also a guy who used to develop search software for altavista.
these are just a few examples of some people i work alongside.
so, not every IT expert is a retard.
yeah, you're right about that. I've met some people who seem to be mentally fused with computers. The dean of IT in my college can actually do machine code, some dudes i've met can simply make complete programs in their minds (the language? depends. some prefer C++, python, java, etc.) I've met security experts, people who actually work on their own distros, programmers that can do up to 15 languages, engineers, etc. I respect these guys because they have proper jobs and also seem to be highly skilled.
The "experts" I meant that somehow lack tech skills aren't the low-level dudes. I meant guys with 5-6 digits salaries, with big houses and cars and seem to be clubbing every night (not that i have any issues with it, but as if money grows out of trees for them). These are the "experts" I dread working with, considering their lack of experience and foresight.
only_samurai wrote: I'm at uni right now. and its pathetic. I look around and see most kids failing the computer classes. why? because 300 students packed into an auditorium is not a way to learn.
So think to yourself what YOU want, not what your MOM or DAD wants…. YOU. And go off of that. :D
Folk Theory wrote: my mom started crying when i said i wanna do computers…
so yeah don't listen to anyone who tells you to do things you dont want to.
Tell me about it, samurai. Some of the kids I've met failed all their subjects. But mine's not packed into an auditorium as the class population for each subject is 70 max.
and lol yeah. my mom prefers me studying law or business (my mom's a marketer and my dad's a businessman pretty obvious, huh.)
spyware wrote:
Sorry I can't be much of a help, just one note: Whoever says "Do what you want to do/what you like" should die. Now.
Why? Cause sometimes the train to HappyHappyLand isn't leaving on time, or leaving at all.
that's ok with me. wait a minute….damn it! I just missed the train to HappyHappyLand! AAGGHHH!! ;)
only_samurai wrote: So think to yourself what YOU want, not what your MOM or DAD wants…. YOU. And go off of that. :D
yeah, and you need to be sure you know what you're getting into ahead of time too. my computer science class started out as a lecture of around 300 people and now it's down to about 200 and there's about 50 more that are sitting at D's and F's right now. too many people decided, "i'm gonna major in computer science because it sounds good". you really need to think about it hard before decideing. this is what you're gonna be doing for the rest of your life, you need to make sure it's what you're passionate about.
fuser wrote: Tell me about it, samurai. Some of the kids I've met failed all their subjects. But mine's not packed into an auditorium as the class population for each subject is 70 max.
well in Italy things are pretty different. We are 27 and less than 5 have managed to get a sufficient knowledge of HTML's basics…no matter where you are, if you have rock-solid nuts you get to know your stuff
I'm going to study Computer Science but then I haven't got any idea about where to go for a job. I'm interested in this stuff and i hope I'll find a way will studying