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What do I need?

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My name is Bill; I am 19 and reside in Swartz Creek, MI. I want to major in software engineering and design. I have absolutely no clue what courses I need ro what certifications I might need. I was hired as the computwer tech by my high school, and learned most of my knowledge from task preformed there. I would positively appreciate any information that anyone an provide.
Thank you,
Billy Humphries
Email: Bobbyrock53@excite.com or
bobbyrock53@netscape.com

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What do I need?

In reply to What do I need?

Hi Bill, sounds like you’ve got a great start. People get certifications for jobs, not college. The courses you can take depend on what college you attend.

Since software engineering involves programming – the article on here at http://www.techrepublic.com/article.jhtml?id=r00820010806adm01.htm talks about what languages companies are looking for.

I also recommend searching on the Web for IT job descriptions.

— Rick
(age 30-something, metro Atlanta)

What do I need?

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If your to college you might take MIS, but it is a lot of programming. I hate programming, probably my brother has been doing it for 20 yrs. I have an OAS (occupational associates degree) in network enginnering from a small college(600 students) at that location. They really pushed the certs. I have my A+,MCP and CNA. Working toward MCSE. Pay started low, no experience. $20,000.00, I have 16 months of field experience and am making almost $35,000.00. Sky is the limit, but be willing to move if necessary. Most of the certs. you can buy a book and learn on your on. Have to get back to work. Any more questions just post them.
Allen

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Get as familiar with as many programming languages as possible – both the hot languages and the not hot languages (you’d be suprised how difficult it is for a recruiter to find someone with these skills, and how much in demand you might be..)

hot
c, c++, java, xml, html, xhtml, developer 2000, basic, pl/sql, sql, perl, cgi, etc..

not hot
pascal, ada, cobol, rpg, lisp, fortran, etc. and more and more and more…

What do I need?

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Hi Bill

Wouldn’t lean on just certs. Many of the ‘better’ jobs/companies require at least a BS before they will even interview/hire you. Best is both as it covers all bases. I would agree with learn all you can, languages, applications, etc.
Also, get all the commercial experience you can between now and when you start a full time job. Comnmerical is anything outside you education. Doing something that is actually used by a business (or was written for them even if it never got installed or was replaced/removed later).

As it is highly unlikely you will be able to learn ‘everything’, as you get into new areas and applications, look for those that you enjoy, are good at and that you think you would like to do for the next 20+ years (50+?). Begin to focus on those areas, programming, database design, database admin, networking, system support, etc. If you like multiple, do both. Many go together well, programming, db design, db admin, network and system support, etc. lo

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