Coder's Guild Mailing List

education #2

Posted by Fox on 2000-10-06

Thanks all of you.  Your answers definately help.  The answers to my questions 
have spawned a few new ones:

1).  I'm looking at ITT tech, but they offer only a general course on computers 
themselves...it's not focused on programming, but it's worth a degree in 
something called Network Systems (or something like that).  It's like a "jack-of-all-
trades" course.  It covers everything from different operating systems, to 
programming, to network managing, to OS installation, etc.  It has C++ 
programming in it, but only 2 or 4 credit-hours worth.  They're going to have a 
programming track course (focused around programming) much later in the year, 
but of course they never recommend that a person my age take it because it's too 
specialized.  They recommend I take that "jack-of-all-trades" course, which isn't a 
bad idea; but is it what I need?  I don't want to waste my time in a tech school 
going for a degree that won't help establish myself as a programmer.
    It's overwhelming because everyone's pressuring me to do certain things but 
not telling me why.  All I want to know --but the one thing no one seems to be 
telling me --is what do I really need to take?
    If I'm going for a degree, what kind of education do I need to get for a company 
to consider me a potential programmer?  I need to decide if ITT is right for me 
soon, because I have a decision deadline (so to speak) of Tuesday, the 10th of 
October.
    I've never heard of any of these "programming schools" that everyone keeps 
mentioning.  I assume it's some sort of underground programmer's secret..... 
....care to let me in?  Well, can't you just give me a hint and break my leg 
instead of killing me?  hahahaha.  What and were are these "programming 
schools?"  Heck, I live in Clarksville Tennessee (USA), anyone know of a place to 
get a degree?  See, I'm not even sure of that!  hahahaha

2).  I've often seen job titles, but none of them are "programmer".  What are 
programmers refered to other than "programmer?"  Or is that it?  i.e. what is a 
"software engenier" (sp, I know).

3).  (this is going to sound dumb.....but....)  Be it for game programming or 
programming in general, what are some good sites to find job listings?  I'm unsure 
of how to make the jump from school to the working world.

4).  If I do manage to find a job that doesn't require a formal education, --via one of 
the job sites, perhaps -- what could I expect from them, in general?  Would they 
help me further my knowledge by sending me to programming school?

Oh, I'm just so confused by this!  It's not making sense, and I don't know who to 
believe when they give me advice.

Once again, forgive my ignorance.  But I plan to remember these messages as a 
humble start which I can look back on and say, "I was there" ;-).

/*
Remember, complex problems almost 
always have simple solutions!