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Kafubie
May 20th, 2010, 02:29 AM
I just don't know whats going on.
I am almost 16 (3 months) in High School and I have a pretty good idea where I am going. It's computer related.

I've been working on basic websites and learning some programming languages and learning Linux and about opensource. I've been thinking about going into CS in college, but it seems likes it super hard. I'm not sure, I just have a huge brain fart right now.

Can I possibly get a job with Linux? How would I go to college? Is there something for Unix training and things like that. This could be a good decision.

Guys, provide some ideas for some jobs, Anything Computer related..

Also share if you have a job anything computer related and how much you make.

Aped
May 20th, 2010, 02:38 AM
There are a lot of fairly lucrative systems administration gigs that you can get into. Buddy of mine is making what we older folks call 'the fatty bankage' without a college degree, even, doing *nix sysadmin crap.

Programmer/developer jobs are rarer now than before, or are more specialised, due to India tikin are jabs but there will always be a place for talented hard-working people...

If you love it, do it. If you're not sure, maybe look into other stuff. You're young, plenty of time to fiddle about and make a decision later.

Kafubie
May 20th, 2010, 02:46 AM
There are a lot of fairly lucrative systems administration gigs that you can get into. Buddy of mine is making what we older folks call 'the fatty bankage' without a college degree, even, doing *nix sysadmin crap.

Programmer/developer jobs are rarer now than before, or are more specialised, due to India tikin are jabs but there will always be a place for talented hard-working people...

If you love it, do it. If you're not sure, maybe look into other stuff. You're young, plenty of time to fiddle about and make a decision later.

Thanks for the support man.

sandyd
May 20th, 2010, 02:48 AM
I just don't know whats going on.
I am almost 16 in High School and I have a pretty good idea where I am going. It's computer related.

I've been working on basic websites and learning some programming languages and learning Linux and about opensource. I've been thinking about going into CS in college, but it seems likes it super hard. I'm not sure, I just have a huge brain fart right now.

Can I possibly get a job with Linux? How would I go to college? Is there something for Unix training and things like that. This could be a good decision.

Of course you can. There are companies who use linux servers and all, and they need sysadmins to maintain their stuff. Additionally, there are some companies who are making the transition to linux, and they may be hiring.

And please, no bashing in the other thread about the two links below

Canonical and Linux both offer courses:
http://www.lpi.org
http://www.ubuntu.com/training/certificationcourses

Guys, provide some ideas for some jobs, Anything Computer related..

Also share if you have a job anything computer related and how much you make.
Im the IT sub-head of a communications/computer services firm. And I have to say youll be lucky if you make what I make (70,000) which is actually considered a LOT in the IT industry (and that doesn't include benifits). In addition, I also work as part of technical support (whenever something goes serously wrong) at one of the company's sister companies. Which is why you shouldn't take my wage as an example.

.

lisati
May 20th, 2010, 02:53 AM
Moved to "Community Cafe"

uRock
May 20th, 2010, 02:56 AM
If you like working on computer and/or network security stuff, there are some really great jobs out there.

I just recently found a job opening for the US Border Patrol that requires no college. It is a information security job and it starts at $60k a year with government benefits.

I have seen postings for the Department of Defense for info security slots that do require a degree or a bunch of certifications, but these jobs are starting at 120,000+ a year.

It is hard work getting the knowledge and keeping up with it, but with good money management you can have a nice retirement at an enjoyable age.

Of course for these jobs, you have to keep your nose clean for security clearances.

Good luck,
uRock

sandyd
May 20th, 2010, 03:34 AM
If you like working on computer and/or network security stuff, there are some really great jobs out there.

I just recently found a job opening for the US Border Patrol that requires no college. It is a information security job and it starts at $60k a year with government benefits.

I have seen postings for the Department of Defense for info security slots that do require a degree or a bunch of certifications, but these jobs are starting at 120,000+ a year.

It is hard work getting the knowledge and keeping up with it, but with good money management you can have a nice retirement at an enjoyable age.

Of course for these jobs, you have to keep your nose clean for security clearances.

Good luck,
uRock
holy... they make a little bit less than double my income...
**becomes jealous**

CharlesA
May 20th, 2010, 03:42 AM
holy... they make a little bit less than double my income...
**becomes jealous**

Be happy, that's about 5 times as much as I make.

lykwydchykyn
May 20th, 2010, 04:01 AM
Random tidbits of advice follow:

If you're 16, of course college is going to seem hard. When you were 14, the stuff you're learning now probably looked difficult.

If you have the brain power to teach yourself a programming language, you have the brain power to get through college. College isn't that hard (well, most colleges aren't).

Many jobs will hire you without a college degree. Many more jobs require one. No job I've ever seen requires you NOT to have a college degree.

You can go back to college any time, but it's a lot easier and way more fun when you're 18, single, childless, mortgage-less, and not working full time at a job with real responsibilities.

Neither you nor Linux will be the same in 10 years. Don't get too attached to the idea that you will be a Linux admin for the rest of your life. Get knowledge that can be applied no matter what technology comes along.

uRock
May 20th, 2010, 04:04 AM
Be happy, that's about 5 times as much as I make.

I am still unemployeed, so yeah...

uRock
May 20th, 2010, 04:09 AM
You can go back to college any time, but it's a lot easier and way more fun when you're 18, single, childless, mortgage-less, and not working full time at a job with real responsibilities.

Amen to that! I am an unemployeed father with kid, mortgage,wife, and car payments, but I am still managing college. I wish I had've done it years ago.

CharlesA
May 20th, 2010, 04:09 AM
I am still unemployeed, so yeah...

Ouch. :(

EDIT: At least you are doing something while being unemployed.

I was in the same boat a couple years ago and ended up going back to school, which somehow landed me the job I currently have.

Chronon
May 20th, 2010, 04:13 AM
I have been unemployed for months with no interviews in sight. I may have to just take a food service job until I get something more long term.

I think there are a lot of people with work experience and credentials right now. It certainly feels like just having schooling is almost worthless at the moment.

uRock
May 20th, 2010, 04:22 AM
I have been unemployed for months with no interviews in sight. I may have to just take a food service job until I get something more long term.

I think there are a lot of people with work experience and credentials right now. It certainly feels like just having schooling is almost worthless at the moment.

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/browse.aspx They almost always have good job openings. Many of them have high qualification requirements, but I think an upstanding resume with a few good certs could get some of the good ones. I haven't finished my degree nor taken any cert tests yet, but it is in the works to do soon. I plan on getting CCNA, A+, and Network+ in the coming months.

Chronon
May 20th, 2010, 04:41 AM
Thanks, it looks like a decent resource -- though I think I have seen a lot of those posted on state employment boards too. As I mentioned, I only have schooling, so basically I just have a CV with school stuff on it. My last real employer (i.e. not a stipend) was over ten years ago, so it's not really relevant to any resume building.

I guess the thing I have to get past is applying for jobs in fields that I don't have any direct qualifications in. At least, this is usually possible. But with today's job market, it seems a lot less likely that you can sneak into other fields. It seems that there are a lot of people in the job market right now who have the same degree as me plus five to ten years of experience working in the field.

CharlesA
May 20th, 2010, 04:43 AM
Good luck in both your job search and your certs, uRock. :)

@Chronon: I felt the same way, and I am sure there are people who have a bunch more experience than I do with certain things. I am just glad that the job I currently have (even if it isn't that good of a job), is a job that will hopefully help me get further into the IT field.

dondiego2
May 20th, 2010, 04:47 AM
Amen to that! I am an unemployeed father with kid, mortgage,wife, and car payments, but I am still managing college. I wish I had've done it years ago.


I'm in the same boat. Got let go from my engineering job as of March 1st after 21 years. Have a house payment, 2 car payments and 2 kids at home. I'm on unemployment - it sucks! I apply for jobs every day. I've had one interview in 3 months.

I did apply to grad school and I am waiting to hear back if I've been accepted. Should hear this week.

Kafubie
May 21st, 2010, 02:51 AM
Well, I want to know more about Linux. I am pretty sure this isn't some thing I just go into.. I knew about Linux since 8.04 or 8.10 and started off with 9.10

Right now, I am trying to get familiarized with.


Bash
Html
Css
Perl


I know a some of HTML and Css, still trying to get Bash to be my best friend, and I just picked up Perl today just because it seems like I'll be better off knowing more and more... Even though I don't go in depth in each one... I'll soon find out what couple languages to specialize in. (Bash is mandatory)

JDShu
May 21st, 2010, 03:00 AM
I was in the same boat a couple years ago and ended up going back to school, which somehow landed me the job I currently have.

I'm in that boat right now... trying to get back into school.



I think there are a lot of people with work experience and credentials right now. It certainly feels like just having schooling is almost worthless at the moment.

Agreed.

lykwydchykyn
May 21st, 2010, 05:34 PM
Well, I want to know more about Linux. I am pretty sure this isn't some thing I just go into.. I knew about Linux since 8.04 or 8.10 and started off with 9.10


That's cool, I'm not trying to put you off learning Linux, and I hope you didn't get that impression. But, as you say you're 16, and assuming that you haven't skipped ahead any grades and go to college, you've got at least six years between you and your first IT gig. Things change in that time, so focus on what is timeless.

I've learned languages, but that's useful only up to a point because it's one part of the picture. If you want to write software for Linux, you probably need to know some C, C++, C#, python, or java of course, but you also need to know how to work with API's; how to work with systems like make and autoconf; how to use a version control software like svn, bzr, or git; and dozens of other little things that go beyond language syntax.

This is where a CS program at a good college can help you out. You'll get exposure to tools, methodology, team experiences, not to mention tons of experience writing code. If you want to stick to using Linux and Unix you may need to shop around, a lot of CS programs are getting Microsofty these days.

Now, full disclosure: I don't have a CS degree, or any college degree for that matter. I went in for Music and quit early to pursue rock star dreams. I've gotten where I have in IT the hard way (working my way up from the help desk), and I'm not quite where I want to be (and may never get there).