What is your degree and/or where are you working now?

by **Major SONAR** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 8:25 pm

As quoted by Folic Acid:

I work for the US House of Representatives.

I'll try not to hold that againt you!

I'm not even going to ask what party!

But seriously, that's bound to be an interesting job.

I have a BA in Commercial Art/Graphic Design, an MLA (Masters of Landscape Architecture) and an Associates degree in Architecture. I design commercial landscapes for a living (yawn).

by **=V!per=** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 9:35 pm

Originally posted by Nazi_Killer
Im only a junior in high school so I have no clue. Im going to start looking around at colleges, prep for the SAT's, and Im also looking for a job lol! Hopefully I get one this week. Any suggestions on how to prep for the SAT's or Colleges I should attend would be great.

Make sure you take the SAT and ACT at least twice each before you have to fill out your applications for scholarships and colleges. Studies show that you do much better the second time around and believe me you will do much better once you've understood how the stress works. Understand that standard tests are not everything college representatives look for. That's just a small portion of your entire profile. I can go on and on

You know where to reach me if you have any questions.

by **Tommy Boy** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 9:38 pm

I have an BA (Honours) in Political Studies and now work for a professional sporting team, after working in Federal Politics for over 8 years....

Life is good....

by **Rand0m** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 10:00 pm

Originally posted by =V!per=
Make sure you take the SAT and ACT at least twice each before you have to fill out your applications for scholarships and colleges. Studies show that you do much better the second time around and believe me you will do much better once you've understood how the stress works. Understand that standard tests are not everything college representatives look for. That's just a small portion of your entire profile. I can go on and on

You know where to reach me if you have any questions.

Althought it would be a lot easier the second time around many colleges like to see you do good on the first time around. I might have a tutor or someone help me on my math and those english comparison things, which I suck at both lol. Im gonna try and do good on the first time around if not take it again

. When should I take my SAT's btw?

by **Major SONAR** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 11:46 pm

If you decide to take the SAT or ACT (and I recommend that you do), then buy a book or two to help you study. I'm not sure about the titles, but I think I studied the Princton Review for my GRE (Graduate Record Exam).

There are books out there that teach you the secrets of the tests. They also give you some background and the history of the tests... in the end you will despise the folks that invented and administer the tests. (I know I do)

Let's put it another way. These books are designed specifically for you to pass the test. They also include practice test.

Good luck on your exams.

by **Rand0m** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 11:50 pm

Originally posted by Major SONAR
If you decide to take the SAT or ACT (and I recommend that you do), then buy a book or two to help you study. I'm not sure about the titles, but I think I studied the Princton Review for my GRE (Graduate Record Exam).

There are books out there that teach you the secrets of the tests. They also give you some background and the history of the tests... in the end you will despise the folks that invented and administer the tests. (I know I do)

Let's put it another way. These books are designed specifically for you to pass the test. They also include practice test.

Good luck on your exams.

Ya I have a book for it, its huge. CD key seems to be invalid now when I try and use it, I contacted the comapny waiting for a reply.

by **RCinator** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 12:44 am

I have enough credits for my degree+, but can't get it because they're not allocated to the proper requirements. Started in EE, switched to CS. Gave up after I got an aprenticeship as a programmer that led to a full time job as a System Architect for a large regional bank. That went so well I quit a few years later and started my own software company developing expert systems for large advisory and brokerage firms.

The CS programs in most schools these days are a joke, and as such, I have no desire to finish. If you're majoring (or planning on majoring) in CS, don't bother with any school that doesn't require assembler and ANSI C as requisites - you'll never get a proper, full-fledged CS education. And let's face it - it's too easy to get a degree without actually getting an education these days!

by **-HaVoC-** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 2:40 am

I'm blue collar all the way. I'm a Field Service Tech for a Corp. out of Michigan that provides automobile diagnostic equipment, including emissions testing systems.

I left IT for sanity and found it for about 15k less a year, but I do make my own schedule and the time with the kids is great.

I have ninety customers that fear my van

by **Murgatroyd** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 8:44 am

Originally posted by RCinator
The CS programs in most schools these days are a joke, and as such, I have no desire to finish. If you're majoring (or planning on majoring) in CS, don't bother with any school that doesn't require assembler and ANSI C as requisites - you'll never get a proper, full-fledged CS education. And let's face it - it's too easy to get a degree without actually getting an education these days!

Man, you don't know how right you are. I've been "school-hunting" for the past 6 months, and almost every CS program around here (with 2 big, notable exceptions) has mostly arbitrary requirements; completely unrelated to computers or computer science. Not to mention, I have quite a few friends with CS degrees that now can't find jobs (though I should mention they did go for networking which seems to be an oversaturated field).

RC is right - if you want a job in computers, a computer science degree is not what you want (unless you go to an uber-tech school like MIT). What I'm doing is going for my BA in mathematics with a minor in physics and teaching myself programming on the side. I took a couple of programming courses, and they were a total waste of time, get yourself a good book and you can teach yourself the entire language in less than a year.

by **BladeRunner** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 9:40 am

Degree = AAS in Electronics
degree that counts = 28 years of OJT (OJT = on the job training)
current job title = Electrical/Manufacturing Engineer
where = Bristolcompressors.com

i have ear wax older than most of you young pups.

by **Bossman** » Fri Apr 09, 2004 1:31 am

bumpity bump

by **Ryan** » Fri Apr 09, 2004 6:32 am

Going to school in the fall for CIM (Computer Information Management) Although I know nearly everything I need for the workforce. I always see ads in the paper and other places.. and I always think to myself how I could effectively work that job even without a degree.. but alas, without that piece of paper, im just another High School grad.

So.. im working as a mail sorter in a USPS Partner Facility.

If you order anything from JCPenney's, QVC, Harriet Carter, Fredricks of Hollywood, Collections ETC (and the list goes on and on...) and live in Ohio or in or around Buffalo, New York, chances are, i've touched your package.

(Commense inevitable 'package handler' or 'I touched your package' jokes.)

by **cavalierlwt** » Fri Apr 09, 2004 7:05 am

AA in Applied Electronics, two classes shy of my BS in CS but not sure if I'll finish anytime soon. Working as a debug tech for a contract manufacturer.

I also noticed that colleges are going for the lightweight CS path, no assembly and only a semester or two using C. At my school they seemed to favor one semester in many different languages (java, C++, Visual Basic, powerbuilder) so most of the kids are not proficient in several languages vs the standard two or three! I think when CS became all the rage class sizes increased, good instructors took more lucrative jobs in the private sector, and we were left with professors that didn't care if a senior CS student didn't understand the object oriented concept, they were just too busy 'cranking them out'

by **TriX** » Fri Apr 09, 2004 2:24 pm

BA Finance - Investment officer

Currently looking for a master in finance so I can get a CFA and make some serious $$$$

by **RCinator** » Fri Apr 09, 2004 2:40 pm

Originally posted by cavalierlwt
I also noticed that colleges are going for the lightweight CS path, no assembly and only a semester or two using C. At my school they seemed to favor one semester in many different languages (java, C++, Visual Basic, powerbuilder) so most of the kids are not proficient in several languages vs the standard two or three! I think when CS became all the rage class sizes increased, good instructors took more lucrative jobs in the private sector, and we were left with professors that didn't care if a senior CS student didn't understand the object oriented concept, they were just too busy 'cranking them out'

Yep - and the big problem is that learning a computer language does not mean you know how to program. Programming encompasses much more than just writing code. There are disciplines of logic and reasoning, and a healthy dose of psychology required to really be a good programmer and turn out usable products. Learning a syntax should not grant you the ability to advertise yourself as a programmer.

What is your degree and/or where are you working now?

Who is online