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12 Jun 2014, 3:25 pm
12 Jun 2014, 5:58 pm
12 Jun 2014, 6:50 pm
13 Jun 2014, 7:54 am
MissDorkness wrote:
kirayng wrote:
Ok, so I play around with computers a bit, mostly internet security and dealing with buggy Microsoft Vista, I have 100% success rate at fixing both mine and hubby's computers from viruses, malware and installing new hardware, configuring network, setting up router, etc. a lot of troubleshooting. I'd like to turn that into something that pays me. What should I do? I took Java in college and was able to do fine with C, C++, unix-based systems plus perl scripting, etc. Hardware threw me for a loop. I did fine in my logic course in philosophy and found the problems easy to solve. I really don't know if I'm good at programming or not. I would like to know, do I sound more like I could be a software engineer or computer programmer? Which one to focus on?
maxE had some good advice.My own experience as a System Administrator makes me think you might like that. I do a lot of trouble-shooting and a bit of programming and database manipulation. It's not hardware heavy like my job as a cad manager... I know my basic server configurations, but, those are handled by IT, so none of that responsibility falls to me. I support one primary system, but, it's also good to know the programs that might feed into it.
The programming I do is HTML, XML, JavaScript and SQL (so far, I'm still kinda new in this role), but, of course, that will vary by system.
Did you need a comp sci degree for that position? I know those languages on top C++ and Python, Java and VB (tho who uses VB anymore). Would cert'ing in those languages be equivalent to a university degree to an employer? I'd work for free or develop my own system to have for a portfolio if needed. Thank you very much for your comments, it's awesome to hear from people in the field!
13 Jun 2014, 12:49 pm
kirayng wrote:
Did you need a comp sci degree for that position? I know those languages on top C++ and Python, Java and VB (tho who uses VB anymore). Would cert'ing in those languages be equivalent to a university degree to an employer? I'd work for free or develop my own system to have for a portfolio if needed. Thank you very much for your comments, it's awesome to hear from people in the field!
A Bachelor's was required for the job level, but, as that's an HR requirement, it wasn't really specific as to which type of degree.
I do have a BS in CS, but, in my opinion, the coursework didn't help prepare me for this specific role, as I'd already picked up the necessary skills in my time using computers at work and home.
A portfolio example is great. I didn't actually have experience in the software I'm supporting, but, I provided presentations I'd given on kinda similar software as proof of my skills.
Happy if I've helped. I have received a lot of guidance from friends in the field to have ended up here, it would be wrong not to pay it forward.
