Any computer science people around?

[A_Hard_Rain]

I'm a computer science major atm, going into my 2nd year. Mostly done stuff in C++, a little C, plan on taking some Java pretty soon.

Would love to hear from some people in the field atm, what the jobs are like, what's important to actually learn while in school, are there any others actually here? lol

i gotta say that the people in my computer science classes are the nerdiest bunch of people i've ever seen, it's quite a site, i'm probably the only one who actually steps foot into a gym

[Fist-Of-Freedom]

I'm a computer science major atm, going into my 2nd year. Mostly done stuff in C++, a little C, plan on taking some Java pretty soon.

Would love to hear from some people in the field atm, what the jobs are like, what's important to actually learn while in school, are there any others actually here? lol

i gotta say that the people in my computer science classes are the nerdiest bunch of people i've ever seen, it's quite a site, i'm probably the only one who actually steps foot into a gym

Depends on the field you're going into after school. I strictly work with the network side of things, although I did help implement exchange 2010 with my coworker this year so that was quite a learning experienced. Job outlook is very good.

Just remember the big 3.. experience, certifications and social skills.

[samh16]

Depends on the field you're going into after school. I strictly work with the network side of things, although I did help implement exchange 2010 with my coworker this year so that was quite a learning experienced. Job outlook is very good.

Just remember the big 3.. experience, certifications and social skills.

Network admin I'm guessing?

How'd you get you're foot in the door? I can't find an internship anywhere, and most, if not all, companies are looking for people with experience. That being said, there aren't half as many jobs over here as there are in the States.

Do you enjoy the work?

[kenonator]

Network guy here, I despise programming but I know enough to get around. Pick what you like best and go for it. I never had any trouble with internships /co-ops during college. Good luck man

[Fist-Of-Freedom]

Network admin I'm guessing?

How'd you get you're foot in the door? I can't find an internship anywhere, and most, if not all, companies are looking for people with experience. That being said, there aren't half as many jobs over here as there are in the States.

Do you enjoy the work?

I got my foot in the door at age 18, when my old teacher called me up out of the blue one day and asked if I wanted a job at the local school district as the IT technician and network admin. Worked there for 5 years and the rest is history. Interviewers love job experience.

Yes, I enjoy it. When people say "I wonder if I would like it", that is a red flag to me because you were either born to do IT work or you weren't. You should know if you would like it. You will love it or hate it.

[samh16]

I got my foot in the door at age 18, when my old teacher called me up out of the blue one day and asked if I wanted a job at the local school district as the IT technician and network admin. Worked there for 5 years and the rest is history. Interviewers love job experience.

Yes, I enjoy it. When people say "I wonder if I would like it", that is a red flag to me because you were either born to do IT work or you weren't. You should know if you would like it. You will love it or hate it.

Did you study IT in college, or just get jobs purely through experience?

Completely agree. I'm in second year CS, and even now there's alot of people who aren't sure if they wanna spend their life with computers. It was even worse in first year. Started off with about 115-120 people, were down to 90 odd within a month, and only 44 people passed the year. Alot seemed to be under the impression that they get to go on Facebook all day and play games, and that they'll magically get good a programming by doing absolutely no coding during the year, and cramming it all in a week before the exam. Retards.

[EasTexan]

Yes, I enjoy it. When people say "I wonder if I would like it", that is a red flag to me because you were either born to do IT work or you weren't. You should know if you would like it. You will love it or hate it.

+1 Absolutely true.

I'm a CS major currently in my 3rd semester with 2 left. I was originally EE, but transferred and changed majors, so I'm done with all my basics and just cramming the entire CS degree into 5 semesters. (plus summer) The core language here is Java, I don't think there is even a class for C. But once you have the fundamentals down, going from language to language isn't to hard.

Advice? I can't really give much, I'm in the same boat as you. Having trouble finding internships / IT related jobs. I'm in this thread to see the replies. :)

Oh yea, my minor is IT with emphasis on network administration. Can't hurt to be knowledgeable of both the hardware and software side.

[tonythetiger17]

CS major checking in. m in my senior year so ipretty mcuh jsut have the senior project
i got a summer intership at my dad's company so i got extremely lucky

[fcb1012]

I'm a computer science major atm, going into my 2nd year. Mostly done stuff in C++, a little C, plan on taking some Java pretty soon.

Would love to hear from some people in the field atm, what the jobs are like, what's important to actually learn while in school, are there any others actually here? lol

i gotta say that the people in my computer science classes are the nerdiest bunch of people i've ever seen, it's quite a site, i'm probably the only one who actually steps foot into a gym

Bro, attend UAH?

[Basic_wonder]

Most CS majors have no idea how to program when they leave college.

Have a portfolio or collection of projects you have finished by the time you leave school. It makes showing you know something a little bit easier.

Batch programming (C, C++, java) is one of the most dreadful, depressing, horrible jobs in the world. At least I think so.

Getting an internship during college will make it so much easier to get a job when you graduate.

Just general ideas I throw out there.

Ask any other questions if you have them. I am sitting in a cubicle writing requirements.

[samh16]

Most CS majors have no idea how to program when they leave college.

Have a portfolio or collection of projects you have finished by the time you leave school. It makes showing you know something a little bit easier.

Batch programming (C, C++, java) is one of the most dreadful, depressing, horrible jobs in the world. At least I think so.

Getting an internship during college will make it so much easier to get a job when you graduate.

Just general ideas I throw out there.

Ask any other questions if you have them. I am sitting in a cubicle writing requirements.

I'd love nothing more than to get an internship, but where I live, there are absolutely none, so I'm stuck working as a ****ing delivery boy for the summer.

Btw, writing requirements?

[Discov3ry]

Linux sys admin here.

Graduated in 2003 with a BS in Computer Information Systems. Never used a single technical skill from college in real life. I thank myself for missing out real life and spending countless evening and nights in my parents' basement learning and experimenting with Linux (since 2001). My parents were mad, they said it was a time waste and I better spent that time doing something useful. Fast forward to 2004, I got my first Linux admin gig and never looked back since then. Have always loved what I do.

The job outlook looks good for skilled IT personnel. It may take little longer for someone straight out of college to step into the real IT workplace but it's a matter of being persistent and not giving up on trying. I was trying for 18 months after graduation before I found my first real IT job.

Programming is a good field, as long as you like what you do and you got skills there's always going to be a spot for you somewhere.

My advise: start a personal project, like a piece of software, put it out on the web, blog about it, improve, add features, erase bugs, keep it current. Then build a portfolio of projects, even projects done in school. Put it all together into a presentable package, along with references to your website/personal project and haul it with you to each and every interview. You'd be surprised how much of a game changer it is to say that you run a website/project on your own. Folks want to know more about it and more about your person at the same time, which puts you ahead of the pack. I hope in your senior year you will have a class that should prepare you for interviewing, writing cover letters, resumes, and creating a portfolio. It helped me a lot!

I was skeptical about the whole portfolio, especially since I was in a mixed programming/business/administration major. But the first time I took it out for an interview and saw how good of a conversation starter it was, I was sold on its usefulness.

[dislusive]

The biggest problem I see with CS majors is that they know absolutely nothing about the business side.

All experience counts, including things done on your own personal time.

Another words, DO something. Setup a website with a mysql backend, etc... over engineer the hell out of it. You're trying to get experience in dealing with such situations.

Without any type of experience, personal or practical, and applying for a job directly out of college, your chance of being hired in a software development position is about 10%.


Good luck.

[dislusive]

Linux sys admin here.
My advise: start a personal project, like a piece of software, put it out on the web, blog about it, improve, add features, erase bugs, keep it current. Then build a portfolio of projects, even projects done in school. Put it all together into a presentable package, along with references to your website/personal project and haul it with you to each and every interview. You'd be surprised how much of a game changer it is to say that you run a website/project on your own. Folks want to know more about it and more about your person at the same time, which puts you ahead of the pack.

Listen to this man.

[A_Hard_Rain]

Bro, attend UAH?

yes lol

[Fist-Of-Freedom]

Did you study IT in college, or just get jobs purely through experience?

Completely agree. I'm in second year CS, and even now there's alot of people who aren't sure if they wanna spend their life with computers. It was even worse in first year. Started off with about 115-120 people, were down to 90 odd within a month, and only 44 people passed the year. Alot seemed to be under the impression that they get to go on Facebook all day and play games, and that they'll magically get good a programming by doing absolutely no coding during the year, and cramming it all in a week before the exam. Retards.

Yeah, I actually went and got my bachelors in computer networking administration management. And yes, I'm a network administrator. When I got the job though, I just started off in college with really no background experience but personal. I learned more in 3 months on my job then through all 4 years of schooling. I also have my CCNA, CCNP and MCSE.

As for programming, I can't stand it and refuse to touch it :D.


+1 Absolutely true.

I'm a CS major currently in my 3rd semester with 2 left. I was originally EE, but transferred and changed majors, so I'm done with all my basics and just cramming the entire CS degree into 5 semesters. (plus summer) The core language here is Java, I don't think there is even a class for C. But once you have the fundamentals down, going from language to language isn't to hard.

Advice? I can't really give much, I'm in the same boat as you. Having trouble finding internships / IT related jobs. I'm in this thread to see the replies. :)

Oh yea, my minor is IT with emphasis on network administration. Can't hurt to be knowledgeable of both the hardware and software side.

Yeah getting your foot in the door is one of the most challenging things. It's all about good social skills and networking. Over 90% of jobs are acquired through networking with people.

[fcb1012]

yes lol

Im there also, 3rd year EE. In class for the summer.