career in application development

A degree in Computer Science will provide you with a firm foundation on which to build your career. Depending on what industry you want to work in, you might also consider an undergraduate or graduate degree in a related field; for example, if you want to work with finacial applications, you might consider getting an MBA. At the very least, use your undergrad electives wisely to gain some exposure to the business areas you'll work with.

Work experience will be the most important factor in getting a job, so while you're getting your undergrad, get internships during the summer and get a part-time job or a workstudy with the computing center during the school year.

There is no "magic" language that you MUST know to become an application developer. Some nice ones to know are C, C++, Java, VB, Cobol. For database applications, you'll almost certainly need to know SQL - XML might be nice too. For web stuff, you'll need HTML, Javascript, etc. It sounds like a lot, but once youknow one programming language, the others become easier and easier to pick up. You do NOT have to be an expert in everything. If you want to focus on database applications, learn SQL and start from there.

Good luck.

Jay
www.jayeckles.com

Good advice form Jay, but also...

A lot of the contributors to this forum know and use MS Access to develop 'smallish' applications. I have found many small time Gov departments and business who want MS Access DBs built. Personally, I pick up these contracts as a side-hobby to my usual job and find it very useful in exploring different methods of application development. As an MS Access 'developer' you should gain experience in most areas of application development because you are the Project Manager, Business Analyst, Designer, programmer, installer and maintenance manager all rolled into one. And the beauty of it is the low cost. The strong advice though is to use MS Access as a stepping stone to move into other languages and use other platforms for development (SQL, VB, XML, Java) and NOT get stuck with just developing with MS Access.

There are many downsides with developing with MS Access, but it's certainly a reasonable starting point for most.

Hope it helps - good luck.
TimFox

I read your question, and believe you need to ask yourself a very important question:

If I don't know what are the functions of a applications developer and MIS, why would I want to become one?

I am sure you may have worded your question wierdly. If that is the case, then please remember that command of the written language - especially easy today with the ability to correct and rewrite as you go - is still one of the most important skills you can take with you into any job or jobtype.

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