Careers in Computers

[nil8]

I think Bozo just became my hero.

IT covers a broad range. From database work to programming to network admin to system admin to pc admin work. This doesn't include any phone work or the physical stuff, like installing cables or working for ISPs.

[Airbozo]

I think Bozo just became my hero.

Hehe. Why? Because I am close to a type a personality who has a hard time sitting still? I do tend to over do it. I wanted to learn how to make more nutritional vegetarian meals for my wife that actually taste good, so I went for a pastry chef cert... Hehe go figure...

IT covers a broad range. From database work to programming to network admin to system admin to pc admin work. This doesn't include any phone work or the physical stuff, like installing cables or working for ISPs.

This is the correct motorcycle nil8.

IT covers hardware, software, phone work (answering them not fixing them), cable pulling and tape/media loading. Deciding whether you like to code or do physical work will help a lot. I know the hardware _really_ well no matter what it is, but can't script well enough to save my arse and have lost out on many jobs because of it. Yes I have taken classes, just no real practice and in coding that is where you learn.

[Drum Thumper]

Bozo, thanks for the information regarding your background. I gotta agree with you, being a chef is hard work with low pay--I have been told by numerous people that I should either start my own restaurant or go to Culinary School.

I tell them that there's a helluva lot more money in computers.

Who knows, perhaps I'll start a restaurant someday. Maybe in 30 years when I'm close to retirement.

I'll end the thread hijack now.

[Luke122]

I spent the whole day today pulling wire in a firehall. Replacing coaxial cable with Cat5 is a pretty dull job... but someone (me) has to do it.

I'm an IT Coordinator working in municipal government. Pay isnt that great (could go 45 mins away and make triple my wage!), but the benefits are good, and the small town lifestyle is much better than the city.

I'm essentially sys-admin for 60 desktops and 15 laptops, 3 servers, and 5 wireless wan links. I handle all the IT related stuff (including purchasing, project planning, proposals, etc), I AM the helpdesk and will be taking on the budget responbilities soon also.

Oh yeah, I'm 27 yrs old as of 2 weeks ago.

I also run a consulting business on the side, covering mostly local businesses. On site support, data recovery, planning and installation of networks, etc. Less frequently I repair PSP's, Xbox's, and other game systems. I'm currently scraping up some extra cash for some more courses that will take me into home automation.. that's getting to be big business out here.

College? Nope.. started straight out of highschool.. I did a couple of night classes in grade 10 and 11, basic PC building and troubleshooting stuff. Nothing serious, but I did end up acing the A+ exams, and pretty much breezing through MCSE (nt 4 track..ugh). Having those certs got me a work placement in Moscow (Moscow State University, ftw) for 6 months, then Telus headhunted me on my return.

After 2 years of Telus hell, I quit and went to a movie rental chain, where I was Assistant IT Manager. 62 stores, 500 pc's, 2 IT staff. 2500km a week in a service truck gets old fast..

2 years of that, and I got my current job. Been here 2 years so far, and planning on staying a lot longer.

[nil8]

"Hehe. Why? Because I am close to a type a personality who has a hard time sitting still? I do tend to over do it. I wanted to learn how to make more nutritional vegetarian meals for my wife that actually taste good, so I went for a pastry chef cert... Hehe go figure..."

You got it champ. I can't stand sitting around doing nothing. I'm always learning, trying, working on something. Even if those things are slow and relaxing, like yoga. Stagnation is the equivalent of death for me.

I hope she likes cake.

There are also jobs that exist on the fringes of IT. Like server room installers & cleaners, manufacturing & sales of equipment, reuse & recyclers, etc.

[Airbozo]

I hope she likes cake.

She likes the fruit tarts better... (but now I am officially the birthday cake maker in the family. One lady bug cake coming up for the weekend!)

FWIW: Most of my "official" electronics training was done through the military. The U.S. Navy to be exact. They had several different approaches to training and one of them was "self paced, don't bug me, hand in the tests when I am done" sort of course work. I aced 95% of the tests and the other 5% I missed maybe one or two questions. Mainly due to the fact, my adopted father taught me basic electronics when I was 12 and I had the benefit of having electronic coursework in Jr. High then electrical classes in HS.

I mentioned this thread to the SO and one of the first things she brought up was "Mask Designer". When she was recruiting for SUN Microsystems, Mask Designers were few and far between, most were from Asia and they got paid BIG bucks! There is about one and a half years of intensive training on the techniques, tools and troubleshooting, then right into work. The job is half art, half electronics and you get to be creative with designs and stuff (anyone see the microscopic artwork on the chip designs?).

[nil8]

I, like most young IT pros, have little to no real electronics training. You change out parts, not fix them. My electronics theory is extremely weak and I'm finding that to be a hindrance on some things I want to do.

Fruit tart? Sounds good. Shoot me a recipe. I need practice at baking sweets. The only baking I'm good at is breads. I also need to find out how to make Turducken. Thanksgiving is coming and I'm preparing the bird this year. Well, 3 birds.

WTF is a MASK Designer? What do they actually do?

[Luke122]

They mask the designs on PCB's. THAT is some hardcore work. I'd like to get into that though.. I'm always on the lookout for something new to try.

[Airbozo]

I, like most young IT pros, have little to no real electronics training. You change out parts, not fix them. My electronics theory is extremely weak and I'm finding that to be a hindrance on some things I want to do.

Fruit tart? Sounds good. Shoot me a recipe. I need practice at baking sweets. The only baking I'm good at is breads. I also need to find out how to make Turducken. Thanksgiving is coming and I'm preparing the bird this year. Well, 3 birds.

WTF is a MASK Designer? What do they actually do?

Yes, most if not all IT people have no use for electronics theory now days. I used to do extensive board level repair (fear my soldering skills!), but have not repaired anything to the board level in years, except for my own AMP's (not paying anyone to do that...). I also used to do circuit design, but I am not very good at it. It is an art, just like mask design. Mask designers have varied backgrounds in electronics and Photoshop skills. You have to understand the operation of electronic signals and be able to use tools (similar to photoshop) to create the masks for the pcb design. Check out this page for more info on the requirements (HS diploma) and the skills taught;
http://www.itu.edu/icmask.html

For a Tart, there are 3 key parts;

Crust (without a good crust nothing else matters) (I am still perfecting mine)
Pastry Cream (real pastry cream is not that hard to make and REALLY makes a difference)
Fruit (OK this is a no brainer, but fresh fruit is a must!)
Know how they get it to last and be so shiny? Apricot preserves.
nil8, When I get home I will copy my recipe and pass it along. I got it out of a cordon bleu textbook on baking (Baking is similar to science class. In regular cooking a recipe is just a guideline, in Baking it is a formula). You want my Souffle recipe too?

[nil8]

Yea. I've learned that about baking the hard way. Hockey puck hard if you get me. Still ate it though. I'm not afraid of hardtack. Which reminds me, I can't find saltpork anymore. I know Hormel still makes it, but no local store has it. Argh.

Sure. I've been wanting to explore in the kitchen more.
Who in their right mind doesn't use fresh fruit anywhere they can?
I have no clue how to make cream, I will look it up later.
Sure, I've never had a Souffle, much less made one.
Cordon bleu schools make their own textbooks? Buh? I must find some!

Where can I find non-comfort food recipes that are related to game? Deer stew is great, but come on, there must be something I can do with deer that will actually dress it up for company.

I have a cooking show that I really enjoy. It's Jamie at Home. He takes stuff from 'his' garden, and shows you how to make some really fantastic stuff with it.

As for the MASK work, f-ing crazy. No way. That screams EE mixed with Computer Engineer.