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Geek Culture / In need of some career advice.

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Interplanetary Funk
15
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Joined: 19th Apr 2010
Location: Ipswich, United Kingdom
Posted: 25th Mar 2011 23:49
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I'm looking for some advice on how to get to where I want to be, and where that could then lead me.
I'm currently studying electrical and electronic engineering (lvl 3) at college and am near the end of my 2nd year.
I have realised that I wouldn't be able to cut it as a professional engineer though and am looking into compuscience courses at uni as any course below uni level would be a waste of time as it wouldn't further my education. This year it's too late to apply for uni, so I was wondering what advice could you guys give me on what to do to increase my chances of getting into uni, as well as any advice on specialized compuscience courses to take and where they could lead me and the best path to take?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Get on my level
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PAGAN_old
19
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Joined: 28th Jan 2006
Location: Capital of the Evil Empire
Posted: 26th Mar 2011 00:01 Edited at: 26th Mar 2011 00:03
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idk man what i do is just go with the flow, i pretty much flunked school, and went straight for a job and i landed pretty well, I get $1500-2000/month for ripping people off/dealing with their computer problems. Just did what i thought was right, i gotta admit, i have a love/hate relationship with my job, but it pays for my internet, and cheese puffs and coke so i am not complaining

and i can buy random crap i dont really need. so its all good

dont hate people who rip you off,cheat and get away with it, learn from them
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SH4773R
15
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Joined: 18th Jan 2010
Location: AMERICA!!!
Posted: 26th Mar 2011 00:32
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Quote: "I get $1500-2000/month for ripping people off/dealing with their computer problems."


Quote: "dont hate people who rip you off,cheat and get away with it, learn from them"


Hmmm..


My software never has bugs, it just develops random features.
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Flatlander
FPSC Tool Maker
18
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Joined: 22nd Jan 2007
Location: The Flatlands
Posted: 26th Mar 2011 07:38
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You in the United States or Europe?


Terry
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Interplanetary Funk
15
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Joined: 19th Apr 2010
Location: Ipswich, United Kingdom
Posted: 26th Mar 2011 13:35
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I'm in the U.K, and it's getting more apparent I need a good qualification to get a job that pays above minimum wage.

Get on my level
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Flatlander
FPSC Tool Maker
18
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Joined: 22nd Jan 2007
Location: The Flatlands
Posted: 26th Mar 2011 15:11
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Oh, I'm afraid I'm in the States, so can't really give any advice. We have two year colleges in most larger communities that many of our young people will attend before going off to the University. It is easier to be accepted into these colleges and in turn makes it easier to get into the University. Often classes for these two year colleges start frequently so that one can get in while the Universities are not accepting enrollment.

I suppose if you don't have this situation then if you can find part-time work and grab a couple of books that would help your cause and study them in the off time before the University starts.

Any counselors from the University you could talk to? Any other adult friends or family? Anybody you know that is already in the field you are interested in that you could get advice from?

That's all I can think of for now. Sorry, I'm probably not much help.


Terry
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Indicium
16
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Joined: 26th May 2008
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Posted: 26th Mar 2011 18:00
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Pagan, do you work for PC World? :p
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PAGAN_old
19
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Joined: 28th Jan 2006
Location: Capital of the Evil Empire
Posted: 26th Mar 2011 19:27
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no i work for PC help lol altho i am not sure if thats our real name, we have like 5 names. the company is pretty sketchy if you ask me.

dont hate people who rip you off,cheat and get away with it, learn from them
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RalphY
20
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Joined: 6th Sep 2004
Location: 404 (UK)
Posted: 26th Mar 2011 23:55
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You could try getting an apprenticeship in an control system/industrial automation company for a year and apply for Comp Sci next year. Your college course will help in getting the apprenticeship, and if you get the chance to do a bit of PLC programming it might look good when applying for Uni.

Unfortunately the UK isn't that great on offering apprenticeships so you might struggle to find one. Probably something worth talking about with the careers advice people at your college.

We use to have an apprentice, and most of the old timers started as apprentices, so I'm sure there must be other companies out there that would be interested in taking one on. It depends what you want to do long term, if your still interested in the electrical engineering side of things, becoming a PLC programmer in the control systems industry is worth considering.

Go banana! | Super Nintendo Chalmers! | When I grow up I'm going to Bovine University!
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Interplanetary Funk
15
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Joined: 19th Apr 2010
Location: Ipswich, United Kingdom
Posted: 27th Mar 2011 03:01
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That sounds interesting RalphY, though I'm not entirely sure what PLC programming involves, any more info you could give me?

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RalphY
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Location: 404 (UK)
Posted: 27th Mar 2011 14:41
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PLCs are programmable logic controllers, real time computers for use in the automation industry basically.

Some examples of the sort of things you might use them for:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T5PlDdItmo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmXXfr7ny3M&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpkC4GmBsW8&NR=1

PLC programming involves writing the software to control those machines and just about any other bit of automated machinery you can think of. Languages used to program them range from Structured Text (think Pascal), C, to Ladder Logic (think relay logic wiring schematics).

Depending on the company they may develop PC based software as well. For example as well as PLC software I also work on PC based data loggers, machine vision applications, and simulation software.

Go banana! | Super Nintendo Chalmers! | When I grow up I'm going to Bovine University!
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crispex
17
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Joined: 22nd Jun 2007
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Posted: 27th Mar 2011 17:47
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I would say don't limit yourself to one particular area. All too many times people pick a major that is pointless and doesn't land them a job. A major in languages, etc. is a terrible idea, simply because believe it or not, most countries teach their children English in school. It's amazing how when I was down in Mexico, most of them new English fluently.

I've been on the road for Computer Science as my major, simply because it throws everything under one. You do programming, repair work, building, electronics work, etc. I've also been doing a bit of media work as a few side courses.

I just now realized I've had a typo in my signature for the past 3 years.
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