6 answers
6 answers
Updated
Wilson’s Answer
Hey Dakota! I rebuilt my computer when I was 11, then actually built one at 15. I love working with computers too.
If you're looking for job related to computers, I recommend starting off as an IT Help Desk or Customer Support. You will be able to troubleshoot hardware internally or externally depending on where you work. It will excite you with some of the hardware you have never worked with.
In my first job in IT Help Desk, I was able to delve deeper in Mac desktops and Windows Server systems. It was fun to learn them as I never have these systems at my own home!
If you're looking for job related to computers, I recommend starting off as an IT Help Desk or Customer Support. You will be able to troubleshoot hardware internally or externally depending on where you work. It will excite you with some of the hardware you have never worked with.
In my first job in IT Help Desk, I was able to delve deeper in Mac desktops and Windows Server systems. It was fun to learn them as I never have these systems at my own home!
Updated
Fahad’s Answer
Consider finding a job at a Data Center or a partner that supports data center operations. That will allow you to advance your skill if you are into hardware. Some companies might also offer job training.
Updated
Zandra’s Answer
Hi.
You may want to research jobs in coding. There are numerous coding programs out there for learners of all ages.
You can also explore career information for PC Build Technicians and programs out there to train you for that role. There are degrees that can help as well in Computer Science or Software Engineering.
Best wishes on your career journey!
You may want to research jobs in coding. There are numerous coding programs out there for learners of all ages.
You can also explore career information for PC Build Technicians and programs out there to train you for that role. There are degrees that can help as well in Computer Science or Software Engineering.
Best wishes on your career journey!
Charles M Hurd
Aspiring adviser to STEM teens. Explains clearly, exhorts best practices. Raspberry Pi zealot.
59
Answers
Updated
Charles M’s Answer
Being "in love with working with computers and figuring out what makes them run" is a good clue of the kinds of activities that you would find fulfilling as a career, so I suggest that you get a good picture of yourself and those kinds of things that your are naturally inclined to do well, and then figure out a broad range of career choices.
Some places to do this are:
You Science (https://www.youscience.com/) (I think I had to pay for this)
World of Work Inventory (https://wowi.com/) (When I took this, it needed to be administered by a career professional such as a school career counselor.)
Strengths Finder (https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/strengthsfinder.aspx) (This is a book. when you buy the book, it comes with an access code for the assessment)
Career One Stop (https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Assessments/self-assessments.aspx) (free, paid for by your taxes)
Career One Stop is tied with The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH).
(The following is copied from the website https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/teachers-guide.htm.)
"The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) is an online publication that has information on hundreds of occupations in the United States. The OOH is a rich resource for those seeking career guidance. Using the OOH, students can explore different aspects of occupations by clicking on the following tabs:
What workers do on the job
Work environment
Education, training, and other qualifications needed to enter the occupation
Pay
Projected employment change and job prospects
State and area data
Similar occupations
Contacts for more information
end of quote
I am suggesting that you find a broad range of things you can do based on your aptitudes and strengths because the career you think you might like now may change considerably in the next decade or so. And there may be a huge competition for the few jobs that are available in that area.
I perceive that you like to put together computers because you are rewarded with good feelings when you are done. But is the process of putting the computer together and setting it up for streaming something you will find fulfilling for hours and hours per day, week after week, for years? Will the job become automated by AI robots?
I knew a guy that was a computer game developer for a company that was purchased by Microsoft. For a while, his email tag line was something like "Life isn't always fun and games, sometimes it's just games. " I interpreted that to mean that he wasn't having any fun at his gaming job. If you know about software game developers, you know that it isn't fun to develop games, it's hard, disciplined work, with long hours and few rewards until you are done. Then you move on to the next one.
And what if you are a good, but not great at your career, and the industry is already full of people that do your job better than you do, so there are more people seeking those jobs than there are openings available? Then you need to figure out what else you can do to make a living. If you are blessed, you can still do what used to be your career on the side as a hobby (for example: building and setting up computers for gaming).
I wish you best of success at finding the right job for who you are.
check out https://www.youscience.com/ and https://wowi.com/ to find out the kinds of work you are best suited for.
read StrengthsFinder and similar material to find out what your strengths and weaknesses are. You can use this information to avoid careers your are natually weak at.
Identify specific careers (job titles) and find out about them, including what you have to do to be qualified for them. (Career One Stop and OOH)
Some places to do this are:
You Science (https://www.youscience.com/) (I think I had to pay for this)
World of Work Inventory (https://wowi.com/) (When I took this, it needed to be administered by a career professional such as a school career counselor.)
Strengths Finder (https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/strengthsfinder.aspx) (This is a book. when you buy the book, it comes with an access code for the assessment)
Career One Stop (https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Assessments/self-assessments.aspx) (free, paid for by your taxes)
Career One Stop is tied with The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH).
(The following is copied from the website https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/teachers-guide.htm.)
"The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) is an online publication that has information on hundreds of occupations in the United States. The OOH is a rich resource for those seeking career guidance. Using the OOH, students can explore different aspects of occupations by clicking on the following tabs:
What workers do on the job
Work environment
Education, training, and other qualifications needed to enter the occupation
Pay
Projected employment change and job prospects
State and area data
Similar occupations
Contacts for more information
end of quote
I am suggesting that you find a broad range of things you can do based on your aptitudes and strengths because the career you think you might like now may change considerably in the next decade or so. And there may be a huge competition for the few jobs that are available in that area.
I perceive that you like to put together computers because you are rewarded with good feelings when you are done. But is the process of putting the computer together and setting it up for streaming something you will find fulfilling for hours and hours per day, week after week, for years? Will the job become automated by AI robots?
I knew a guy that was a computer game developer for a company that was purchased by Microsoft. For a while, his email tag line was something like "Life isn't always fun and games, sometimes it's just games. " I interpreted that to mean that he wasn't having any fun at his gaming job. If you know about software game developers, you know that it isn't fun to develop games, it's hard, disciplined work, with long hours and few rewards until you are done. Then you move on to the next one.
And what if you are a good, but not great at your career, and the industry is already full of people that do your job better than you do, so there are more people seeking those jobs than there are openings available? Then you need to figure out what else you can do to make a living. If you are blessed, you can still do what used to be your career on the side as a hobby (for example: building and setting up computers for gaming).
I wish you best of success at finding the right job for who you are.
Charles M recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Caio’s Answer
Hello Dakota!
If you like building computers and seeing how they work from the inside, I would recommend having a look at some fields/careers like Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, and Computer Engineering.
All these fields have a great focus on Hardware, how to build, how they work, and everything related. But they also touch base on the principles behind those.
I myself studied Mechatronics Engineering and worked for quite some time (7 years) in a company where I had contact with PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) which are a type of computer for industries and robots.
If you prefer to learn the logical part of things, you may want to have a look at careers related to Programming and Computer Science.
I wish you all the best in whichever career path you choose! Keep Learning!
If you like building computers and seeing how they work from the inside, I would recommend having a look at some fields/careers like Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, and Computer Engineering.
All these fields have a great focus on Hardware, how to build, how they work, and everything related. But they also touch base on the principles behind those.
I myself studied Mechatronics Engineering and worked for quite some time (7 years) in a company where I had contact with PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) which are a type of computer for industries and robots.
If you prefer to learn the logical part of things, you may want to have a look at careers related to Programming and Computer Science.
I wish you all the best in whichever career path you choose! Keep Learning!