Career Advice

[ihavebenjamin]

Hello! I'm a senior in high school and I want to get into the computer industry. However, I'm not really cut out for the mathematics and exact science subjects inherent in computer engineering and science. (I have a mild form of disgraphia that makes me transpose numbers and letters without noticing. I can do some light coding and system and network configuration. When I'm no feeling rushed I do really well an my disgraphia doesn't wffect me as much. I also enjoy graphics design as 3D art) I love tinkering and learning about the latest technologies and how they work and performance comparisons. I understand that Linus himself is not a computer engineer, but was a wharhouse manager who turned his passion for computers into this current company. I would really like some suggestions on what education and careers could get me into the industry without being a full time engineer or scientist. Any help would be greatly appriciated. I have been really struggling with this the last few months and I know this forum is a great place for computer enthusiasts.

Thanks in advance!

[SirRoderick]

If there's anything I can add it's that you should look for any job (student or volunteer perhaps) that put you in touch with anything in the field. At the very least it gets you in contact with the subject, gives you experiece practically and on paper and you make contacts with other people that work in the Computer industry.

 

No education can replace experience and contacts!

[auraofjason]

Sounds like you might be interested in majors like information technology, information systems, informatics, business in technology, etc. Different universities might use different names for each of them.

[vorticalbox]

If there's anything I can add it's that you should look for any job (student or volunteer perhaps) that put you in touch with anything in the field. At the very least it gets you in contact with the subject, gives you experiece practically and on paper and you make contacts with other people that work in the Computer industry.

 

No education can replace experience and contacts!

that is so true, i am doing a HND (in scotland) and one more year for my degree.

 

problem is i might be 3 years a head in education but they are 3 years a head in work and sadly work > education 

[HannahLewis]

From what I've heard informatics is a lot of maths. So maybe thats not the route you want to go. As said above make sure you enter the world of the tech industry, contacts can make sure you'll find the perfect job!

[Real_PhillBert]

No education can replace experience and contacts!

QFTMFT

 

Experience is significantly more important than education.

 

That said look into majors like Information Technology. Not everyone is cut out to be an engineer, its not a mark against you if you are not.

 

After your first year (or even first semester) I would strongly encourage you to look for a job/internship in the field. Look specifically for Industrial PC supply companies, there are tons around that supply companies with PC's and or technical support. These types of places are awesome for getting exposier to the field. 

 

Good luck!

[ihavebenjamin]

I've been leaning towards bushes management recently. I currently work in a thrift shop part time. But there's a radio shack within biking distance of my house that I had thought of applying at before and talked to one of the employees about working there, but I was not yet eighteen to I couldn't apply, and I know the CFO o the organization that runs the thrift shop so I had an in and took it. For management I had a slight resume advantage of being an Eagle Scout. I have thought about starting as a sales associate at a computer store and working up to a management level.