Database Develop

[Q] College

I'm just curious, I'm 18, and will be attending college at the end of the summer UT to be exact, and I'm not sure what I want to do after I finish my basics. I'm going for computer engineer, but I'm not not sure that's what i'm exactly trying to do, I want to build my own phone, and send it to manufacturers, but I'm not sure what class I should be taking for this, or even where to start?
Am I taking the right course? Or am I way off?

Sorry for being so off topic.
YEAHHHHHHHHHHH UT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Computer engineering sounds good.
You need to start looking into internship opportunities right away. Here's a good start:
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5517&from=fund

If you really want to build your a phone from scratch, then you need to consider about electrical engineering instead. I am not implying CompE is a bad idea, but most school's CompE curriculum do not require the study of electromagnetic, fields/waves, communications, and barely touches on analog. Those courses are very essential to what you want to do. I am about to graduate in EE with a RF/microwave concentration, and these stuffs are no cake at all...

From one Texan to another i welcome you to one of the best states in America.
That said you probably want to either go into hardware engineer, electrical engineering, or do a dual major in Computer engineering and Electrical Engineering.
Good luck bro.

Definitely go with EE and CE dual major, if your gonna be building it yourself you'll need to know both sides, software and hardware. I'm personally going for Game Software development, but in regards to any software the same rules can be applied that you learn in any degree that involves programming. If your wanting to get into working on android you'll need C, C++ (kernel and some other aspects are in these) and Java for the UI. Also gonna need some xml, html, and it never hurts to know some lua and C# =) I here mono & .NET are coming to android too

I would agree, and a double major in C.E. and E.E. would probably be best, but be prepared. Engineering isn't easy. I just finished up a Mechanical Engineering degree, and I can't imagine doing a double major in it. Also, your school will have a lot of clubs/teams you can join that can help you network to find an "in". Our school had an aerial robotics team, robotics team, formula s.a.e., etc. A lot of big companies show up for competitions, and networking there would def help you get your foot in the door. Plus, putting this on your resume looks good as long as it's a related field. Good luck, and prepare to lose a lot of sleep.

props to you man thats pretty cool

Do a business major and hire people to build it for you. Then start your own company go public and do some inside trading
ecotox gave the answer I was going to

@OP: I thought that this would be another lame question about what to do in life, seeking guidance, etc., but I see that you have an ambition and would merely want to know how to get there. Kudos to you, my friend, and I wish you succeed in life.
xriderx66 said:
Sorry for being so off topic.
YEAHHHHHHHHHHH UT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Refer to sig. You can't go off topic. Ever.
bearsfan85 said:
Do a business major and hire people to build it for you. Then start your own company go public and do some inside trading
ecotox gave the answer I was going to
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I would have +1'ed, but looking at some of the greatest people in tech, and the richest, they started out as geeks and nerds. So, no, that doesn't work.

reach for realistic goals

Computer Science Degree! Help!

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone here may have done a computer science degree and was able to help me answer a couple of questions:
1. Does it matter which university I go to? ( I'm thinking UCL, would that mean I would get paid more than going to like Nottingham?)
2. How is the job market?
3. Whats the best job that I can train to do to give me the highest salary?
4. Can anyone get me some work experience for a couple days or a week, as I would really like to see If I could handle it and if I like it?
Thanks
PS: I love computers and fascinated about developing programs like software engineering, but I have other interests to within the industry and open to any go jobs which offer a good salary of about 50k year.

Some universities have a better reputation than others but in my experience all the course will teach the same fundamentals. You'll have module choices etc so you can choose a specific direction in final year. Most graduates will go into a graduate development job. The direction you take from there will depends on the company you chose. I did Electronic and Software Engineering and it was mostly java. When I graduated and started work, I was doing a lot of web work, JavaScript etc. Now I'm shifting to a java development role.
I can only speak for Northern Ireland, but the job market is pretty good here for experienced developers.
Salary wise, most grad jobs will be similar. You won't go in to a "best salary" job right away, it will be dependant on the experience you gain. Its hard to pick a best area. Mobile development is pretty big now and a lot of web app development for stuff in the cloud. Pretty much everything I do is for web applications or web services.
Oh and good luck on getting a job after the degree is completed on 50k a year. You have virtually nil chance of that in the UK.

[Q] Best I.T. field?

Hi, I'm coming to this forum to ask my question 1. Because I know there are a lot of tech-savvy people here and 2. Because I'm on these forums a lot.
I guess my general question is: what is the best IT field to get into now? I really like programming, but I read a couple or places that its projected to go down by 4% from now til 2018ish.
But I read elsewhere that computer engineering is growing rapidly.
I'm 19 years old now, about to start college soon and want to pick a good field in. Something that can defenitely pay good as well.
And I know there's a lot of cross knowledge about IT.
But what's the best IT field tp get into?
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App

Bump
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I am a Network Engineer. I think it is a pretty good field, if you don't mind the late nights, and other things. The Networks are the furthest behind right now, and we need competent Engineers to build and run them.

i agree with above..

I agree, however getting companies to spend money on talent and equipment is hard. Its like years ago before companies spent on backups. They wont spend till it bites them.

troubleshot said:
I agree, however getting companies to spend money on talent and equipment is hard. Its like years ago before companies spent on backups. They wont spend till it bites them.
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Correct. Working for a Vendor, I see this all the time. It is hard to tell a company that they need new switches every 5 years, especially in this economic time.
The big pusher will be IPv6. That is forcing a lot of companies to look at their infrastructure today. They have this feeling they will be left behind if they aren't IPv6 ready by the end of this year. At least on my view of things - that is the only reason Enterprise side businesses are buying new Routers/Switches.

Enraged21 said:
Hi, I'm coming to this forum to ask my question 1. Because I know there are a lot of tech-savvy people here and 2. Because I'm on these forums a lot.
I guess my general question is: what is the best IT field to get into now? I really like programming, but I read a couple or places that its projected to go down by 4% from now til 2018ish.
But I read elsewhere that computer engineering is growing rapidly.
I'm 19 years old now, about to start college soon and want to pick a good field in. Something that can defenitely pay good as well.
And I know there's a lot of cross knowledge about IT.
But what's the best IT field tp get into?
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App
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The problem with Network Engineering is there is no degree for it. It is a lot of self knowledge and self learning.
Take your Juniper Certifications or Cisco Certifications. Buy books on BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, IPv6, etc.....
Download software to run labs at your house....build a cheap Cisco lab as well.
GNS3 is a good Cisco network simulator.

I know this isn't the advice you're looking for - but I'm going to give you the advice I wish somebody gave me when I was 18.
Screw the market predictions, screw the salary ceilings, screw the skill demand. Find something you really dig and the rest is going to fall into place.
I spent 7 years as a software developer. I got paid far more than I was probably worth, had loads of perks, and life was good. Problem was I didn't get any satisfaction out of writing code anymore (not sure that I ever really did). It took me a long time to figure out, but in the end you're going to spend 40 hours (or often 60 in tech careers) a week doing something for the rest of your working life. Your quality of life is going to improved much, much more by genuinely enjoying those 40-60 hours each week than it will by bringing home 90K/yr. Believe me.
At 29 I took about a $25K/yr pay cut and "started over" as a web/ui designer in a new company. It's one of the best choices I'd ever made - I just wish I'd made it when I was much younger. My life would have been much easier.

Isn't a degree worth more than a certificate?
I'd rather spend more time in school getting a degree rather than doing it quick and getting a certificate.
MickMcGeough said:
I know this isn't the advice you're looking for - but I'm going to give you the advice I wish somebody gave me when I was 18.
Screw the market predictions, screw the salary ceilings, screw the skill demand. Find something you really dig and the rest is going to fall into place.
I spent 7 years as a software developer. I got paid far more than I was probably worth, had loads of perks, and life was good. Problem was I didn't get any satisfaction out of writing code anymore (not sure that I ever really did). It took me a long time to figure out, but in the end you're going to spend 40 hours (or often 60 in tech careers) a week doing something for the rest of your working life. Your quality of life is going to improved much, much more by genuinely enjoying those 40-60 hours each week than it will by bringing home 90K/yr. Believe me.
At 29 I took about a $25K/yr pay cut and "started over" as a web/ui designer in a new company. It's one of the best choices I'd ever made - I just wish I'd made it when I was much younger. My life would have been much easier.
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I know, people are always telling me that. And I'm always open to hearing peoples opinion. I actually would love to do a field in IT... Just don't know what exactly I want. Like I said, I like programming, computer science, etc., but there not gonna need alot of programmers in the near future. My friend is actually a network engineer and makes good money, but I know he'd rather be doing something else.
As for me, I've been doing jack **** for the last two years. I would actually love to spend 40 to 60 hours a week keeping my hands and brains busy.
So I might look into Engineering.. cause that's what it looks like its going into.
I know if it's something with tech involved, I probably won't love it, but I would like it. Better than doing anything else.
2 of the fields I'm looking into:
Computer Engineering Technology (Networking)
Computer Programming and Analysis.
your inputs?

Enraged21 said:
Isn't a degree worth more than a certificate?
I'd rather spend more time in school getting a degree rather than doing it quick and getting a certificate.
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Depends. The way I see it (being in the field) If you want to stay on the Engineering side of things and don't have an interest in being Managerial, then Certs + Time In the Field = More Money than Degree.
If you think Certs are the easy way - then you haven't taken any of the tests. If you want to get into Networking you have to have Certs. Then get a job working in a NOC, or for a smaller ISP. Then you work up.

I'm a field engineer so I go to clients' sites and support their IT/resolve their IT problems.
Being a jack of all trades really helps, and having the right mind is a godsend.
Being able to think on your feet to come up with solutions with very few resources, having high google skills also helps, and a resourceful memory for niggly little problems.
In my experience computer degrees are pointless, industry qualifications actually have value as they bring benefits to companies such as partnership programs.
Whats going to be more appealing to customers? "We have 5 engineers with degrees" or "We're a Microsoft Gold Partner" see what I mean?
The more qualifications you get the more you can ask for in salary.
Contracting is where the real money is, you can get paid stupid amounts of money for doing simple things.
I was getting £200 a day on one contract to just create new users and run reports.

so what you guys are saying is,
it's better to be certified in many fields and work my way up rather than getting a degree in a specific field?

Enraged21 said:
so what you guys are saying is,
it's better to be certified in many fields and work my way up rather than getting a degree in a specific field?
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Yes. And pick a field you enjoy too.

alright. I appreciate your advice.

When I try to pick my major in college, I'm listed 3 choices ( All Computer Engineering )
Cisco Specialization
Microsoft Specialization
Cyber Security and Digital Forensics Specialization
Out of all those three fields? which one would be the best to "specialize" in?
They also have two other fields available which are computer programming and analysis, and computer information technology. Too many people in CPA and they won't need them in the near future. CIT is too broad. And I don't really know about that.

Another approach which might be a bit different is if you can scrape up the money to go to a conference or two, that may give you some insight on the different areas of IT and may help guide you on what you may or may not like. Virtualization is huge now due to the whole "cloud computing" thing. Microsoft/Active Directory/Exchange-type environments are widely used, so any experience there should guarantee you a job and an employee in a company or a solutions architect if you can design that infrastructure... or support for that type of environment which would be a first step in that field. I always believed that if you're the type that's into programming, you'll know it early on. The hard part like others have said is choosing what sub-field you want to specialize in (or that you enjoy).
No matter where you go, things can get pretty deep. I know a few people who chose to be project managers and make a good living not knowing anything technical - just the logistics of it all.

If you are going to get into general IT - to start with stick to CSCO and MSFT.
You can't go wrong with acquiring certs from either. While it doesn't hurt to know both - at some point you will find you either like to design and support the network (CSCO). Or you like to do AD, LDAP, Server type of stuff (MSFT).
If you wanted mine on which to chose of the 3 you have, I would suggest trying to get internships at each one, to see which you like. College is expensive, and you don't want to have to go back multiple times, because the degree you got wasn't something you liked.
Take an Internship at a smaller ISP. This will give you a chance to check out both the Network (CSCO) side of things, and Systems (MSFT/Linux/BSD) side of things. Most larger companies (Fortune 500) will split it up like this anyways, as it is too much to wear both hats. So you will have your team of Network Engineer's and your team of Systems Engineers/Admins who generally all report up to a single director/vp.

Don't really have the money or the time to intern. That's why I came seeking advice.
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App

Two fields spring immediately to mind. Computer Forensics and Computer Security.
Both growth industries and interesting too i imagine.

I'll try to make this my last rant here.
I know you came here asking for advice - but I hope you understand that all advice is necessarily autobiographical.
A lot will disagree with me here, but degrees and certs are worth little. Good instruction is infinitely valuable, demonstrable skills are infinitely valuable, and you can get those in post-secondary schooling, but the piece of paper itself will only help you get your first job, when you have no experience, and the person hiring you is either too lazy to verify your skills, or is unable to do so.
Probably the best developer I ever hired was entirely self-taught. The worst was one of the most highly-educated individuals I'd ever interviewed.
I don't know where you got your information about the software development market drying up but I think you're making too big a deal out of it. I cannot fathom a future in which a good software developer's skills are obsolete. You'll have to switch languages/environments many times in your career, but if you dig coding, just go be the best coder you can.
I implore you, try out some different stuff in school and stick to whatever it is that gets your motor going. Don't worry about a 4% market downturn or what industries might grow. Nobody can predict more than 5-10 years away, and you're going to be doing whatever it is you choose for 30-40 years.

Advice needed: starting an IT career

Hi Folks,
Going through a time in my life when I want to change directions. With all the brilliant folks on XDA who are honest and experienced and most importantly not going to get kickbacks from doling out good advice, I wanted to ask what you think is the best way to begin an IT career.
Some background about me: I am, for worse or better, in my late 30s which is well older than the average for this kind of thing I'm sure.
My jobs background is mostly in office admin but the emphasis has shifted more and more to the technological. That is I have found myself in the e-business world over the past decade almost exclusively, so I have been in the middle of working with other types of IT employee who are more like I want to become: the architects of apps and systems.
I'm very intelligent, a quick and open-minded learner. The strange thing is when I was young I programmed BASIC with great ability on Apple IIe's and Atari PCs, but "grew away" from that and now of course want it back.
I find myself with definite ideas of apps I want to develop and knowledge I want to absorb but need the know-how and a chance to prove myself. Particular strengths I think I have that others don't is a strong sense of design, better "people skills" than the average geek and maturity (a nice way of saying "I'm freaking old, dude," heheh).
Anyway, narrowing it down the career paths that sound good to me they include Computer Applications Software Engineering and/or Computer Systems Analyst. At least for now.
What I'm trying to avoid is the often scummy education industry from soaking up thousands or tens of thousands of dollars from me to learn what's mostly unnecessary. I've been through that once. While some certifications, degrees etc. are good and necessary I know I also know that nothing beats real-world experience.
So please, any ideas from the people who have lived it and been "in the trenches" about how to begin the path would be much appreciated. Maybe this thread could even be helpful for others who are going through the same process.

DroidApprentice said:
Hi Folks,
Going through a time in my life when I want to change directions. With all the brilliant folks on XDA who are honest and experienced and most importantly not going to get kickbacks from doling out good advice, I wanted to ask what you think is the best way to begin an IT career.
Some background about me: I am, for worse or better, in my late 30s which is well older than the average for this kind of thing I'm sure.
My jobs background is mostly in office admin but the emphasis has shifted more and more to the technological. That is I have found myself in the e-business world over the past decade almost exclusively, so I have been in the middle of working with other types of IT employee who are more like I want to become: the architects of apps and systems.
I'm very intelligent, a quick and open-minded learner. The strange thing is when I was young I programmed BASIC with great ability on Apple IIe's and Atari PCs, but "grew away" from that and now of course want it back.
I find myself with definite ideas of apps I want to develop and knowledge I want to absorb but need the know-how and a chance to prove myself. Particular strengths I think I have that others don't is a strong sense of design, better "people skills" than the average geek and maturity (a nice way of saying "I'm freaking old, dude," heheh).
Anyway, narrowing it down the career paths that sound good to me they include Computer Applications Software Engineering and/or Computer Systems Analyst. At least for now.
What I'm trying to avoid is the often scummy education industry from soaking up thousands or tens of thousands of dollars from me to learn what's mostly unnecessary. I've been through that once. While some certifications, degrees etc. are good and necessary I know I also know that nothing beats real-world experience.
So please, any ideas from the people who have lived it and been "in the trenches" about how to begin the path would be much appreciated. Maybe this thread could even be helpful for others who are going through the same process.
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The way I see it, you have 2 major options.
1. Get a degree and learn to code
2. Learn to code on your own, and screw the degree
If you're more interested in the 2nd option. Check out this link. The prof is great, it's basically a Java class for beginners. But at AcademicEarth, you'll also find other more advanced courses. It really is a terrific resource.
http://www.academicearth.org/courses/programming-methodology
Best of luck!

Thanks! I know many people are self-taught and some of the best may even come from that background. I'll check out that resource and try to absorb as much as I can. It might help me clarify for myself what help I need.

Don't forget good old fashioned Mathematics.
If you think you left all that behind in High School, think again, and brushing some of the rust off it will never go amiss. In fact, stuffing as much of it into your brain as it will stand, is not such a bad thing.
Sometimes it lets you see a much better/faster way of doing something.
Books out of the library, or even articles on Wikipedia are a start, and gratis, and you can go at your own pace until it sinks in.
Good Luck!

stephj said:
Don't forget good old fashioned Maths.
If you think you left all that behind in High School, think again, and brushing some of the rust off it will never go amiss. Stuffing as much of it into your brain as it will stand, is not such a bad thing.
Sometimes it lets you see a much better/faster way of doing something.
Books out of the library, or even wikipedia are a start, and gratis, and you can go at your own pace until it sinks in.
Good Luck!
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Excellent point! Binary/Octal number systems. Matrix math. Boolean logic and decision trees...all built on basic concepts that too many have long forgotten.

I think of myself as a predominantly "right brained" person (and am a southpaw to boot) but math and me get along OK and in some ways better than we used to. Higher math is actually in some ways better than lower since I can tend to the abstract. Thanks again.

[Q] I'm 18 and I need a job!

I've been fortunate enough to have parents who have been able to make it possible for me to not have to work. I've never had a job before, but I'm really interested and I would like to get working somewhere! I am just finishing high school, and I am starting College after summer, I have an entire summer free to work! But where o:
Well first let me mention this. I have a close friend who currently works at Papa Murphy's, he knows there's an open spot for me and I could get a job there no question, according to him. Has anyone here worked at a similar business who could provide me with some insight regarding a Pizza place, or fast food in general? Like it, hate it, or just okay?
Other than that little.. idea, I have nothing else in mind specifically, I'm looking for recommendations! I'm into tech, and while I'm not professional in any one area of tech, I would certainly consider myself more knowledgeable with technology than your average consumer.
Best Buy maybe? Target? A Grocery store?
I have nothing specific in mind, if there's anything you would be willing to share with me, please do! A job you liked, a job you hated, things to look for and things to stay away from, anything! Share me with me your wisdom from experience!

2PMintheAM said:
I've been fortunate enough to have parents who have been able to make it possible for me to not have to work. I've never had a job before, but I'm really interested and I would like to get working somewhere! I am just finishing high school, and I am starting College after summer, I have an entire summer free to work! But where o:
Well first let me mention this. I have a close friend who currently works at Papa Murphy's, he knows there's an open spot for me and I could get a job there no question, according to him. Has anyone here worked at a similar business who could provide me with some insight regarding a Pizza place, or fast food in general? Like it, hate it, or just okay?
Other than that little.. idea, I have nothing else in mind specifically, I'm looking for recommendations! I'm into tech, and while I'm not professional in any one area of tech, I would certainly consider myself more knowledgeable with technology than your average consumer.
Best Buy maybe? Target? A Grocery store?
I have nothing specific in mind, if there's anything you would be willing to share with me, please do! A job you liked, a job you hated, things to look for and things to stay away from, anything! Share me with me your wisdom from experience!
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Things you need to ask yourself before getting a job:
-Do I need or want a job?
-What for?
-Do I have a specific field I'm interested on?
-How much money do I require to survive?
-If need to drive...do I own a car?
-Will I take this job seriously or just need something to kill time?
-Can I do something on my own before I get involved in the corporate world?
-Is there any small shops where I may be able to get training on a specific trade/skill?
After you gather this info, then carry on with what is more convenient to you.
Cheers,

M_T_M said:
Things you need to ask yourself before getting a job:
-Do I need or want a job?
-What for?
-Do I have a specific field I'm interested on?
-How much money do I require to survive?
-If need to drive...do I own a car?
-Will I take this job seriously or just need something to kill time?
-Can I do something on my own before I get involved in the corporate world?
-Is there any small shops where I may be able to get training on a specific trade/skill?
After you gather this info, then carry on with what is more convenient to you.
Cheers,
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Thanks for the reply!
Although my parents pay for my food, education (currently), and other normal expenses, I typically have to come up with my own money for something that isn't necessary, or the occasional "gift".
I want a job for the extra money so I can gain experience, and become more financial independent from my parents. I have a car and I live in a pretty populated city, not a major city, and I know there's tons of work available. I'll certainly take any job seriously, and I truly do enjoy becoming more educated in.. anything really!
I have a car and I do not "need" a job, which I know understand my title may be misleading.. oops, but I certainly want it for reasons more important than just "to kill time" d:

Go to college...or a trade school. Learn to code. Learn to do what you love so someone will love to hire you doing what you love. Do not settle for something just because you need a job. Work hard to do something you enjoying working hard at. If you enjoy tech, learn something in the tech field and search for jobs related to it. In an article written by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2013, it was estimated that between 2010 and 2020, jobs in computer systems design and related services "is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 6.1 percent, compared with 3.6 percent for the broad industry category—professional, scientific, and technical services—and 2.9 percent for all industries." You are young and you are interested in one of the most profitable markets currently available. Use that interest to advance your career and your life. It's not enough to just love tech...you have to do your best to learn about the industry surrounding it so you can profit from the advances and secure your future.
Just my two cents.

Start phone repairs. Saying you started you own business at 18 has to be a big plus.
Sent from my Galaxy Note 4........FAKE! Admit it, you thought I had money for a second didn't you?

you can get job online.. but it takes a hardwork and patience to earn money online...

I got one

SynDevOut said:
I got one
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Which one?? Online?

Actually there are online sites which pay you for completing surveys you can get upto $1 per survey in some sites like clixsence.......