4 answers
4 answers
Updated
Shubhankar’s Answer
Hi,
I found my interest in computers back in 90s when I was in my 5th grade.
I saw a movie Independence Day featuring a computer engineer saving the world. That day I got smitten by computers and the will to become a hero 🙂
I found my interest in computers back in 90s when I was in my 5th grade.
I saw a movie Independence Day featuring a computer engineer saving the world. That day I got smitten by computers and the will to become a hero 🙂
Updated
Terri’s Answer
I knew in elementary school that I wanted to work with computers (Information Science wasn't even a word back then). HA HA HA
I received a degree called Management Information Systems that was part business and part computer science. Started as a programmer and worked my way up into managing programmers for a top Fortune 100 company.
If you like to solve problems, think logically, get excited when things "work" - computer science and technology is a great career path and the money can't be beat! Stay away from companies that promise a 40-hour week (it doesn't happen in IT) and those that are too small for you to move ahead.
I received a degree called Management Information Systems that was part business and part computer science. Started as a programmer and worked my way up into managing programmers for a top Fortune 100 company.
If you like to solve problems, think logically, get excited when things "work" - computer science and technology is a great career path and the money can't be beat! Stay away from companies that promise a 40-hour week (it doesn't happen in IT) and those that are too small for you to move ahead.
Updated
david’s Answer
Joshua,
My observation is that few of us actually plan where we will end up. It is a long, twisting road that we call a career. Follow your interests and let them guide you. Here, roughly, is mine:
-attended college to major in music
- proved a bad choice, so joined military to get my life focused
- became (unintentionally) involved with some periphery computer reports
- went to a business school to become a programmer
- became chief programmer for a service bureau (eventually finished college degree)
- became a systems engineer for a computer manufacturer
- hired by customer to be senior analyst
- promoted to computer systems manager
- hired by another computer manufacturer to be director of training
- hired by major insurance company to be director of methodology
- hired by Medicare to be chief technology specialist
- hired by major university to be associate director of computing management
In each position, I had fulfillment and enjoyed what I was doing. Each position helped me see future opportunities. So, my advice is to aim above where you are, but not get fixated with any particular position, as you may well rise much higher or to a more satisfying position. All the best to you.
My observation is that few of us actually plan where we will end up. It is a long, twisting road that we call a career. Follow your interests and let them guide you. Here, roughly, is mine:
-attended college to major in music
- proved a bad choice, so joined military to get my life focused
- became (unintentionally) involved with some periphery computer reports
- went to a business school to become a programmer
- became chief programmer for a service bureau (eventually finished college degree)
- became a systems engineer for a computer manufacturer
- hired by customer to be senior analyst
- promoted to computer systems manager
- hired by another computer manufacturer to be director of training
- hired by major insurance company to be director of methodology
- hired by Medicare to be chief technology specialist
- hired by major university to be associate director of computing management
In each position, I had fulfillment and enjoyed what I was doing. Each position helped me see future opportunities. So, my advice is to aim above where you are, but not get fixated with any particular position, as you may well rise much higher or to a more satisfying position. All the best to you.
Updated
Grant’s Answer
I had an insatiable curiosity about technology from an early age, using my paper route money to buy my first computer when I was in 5th grade. I had somewhat of a blue collar upbringing and my Dad wasn’t supportive of my interest, as he couldn’t imagine that this interest could lead to a good paying job. I taught myself BASIC and wrote some rudimentary programs. Later, as I was pursuing a Masters degree in Social Work, I started my own dial up BBS and taught myself networking using Novell Netware Lite and also Windows for Workgroups. Again, this was because of my insatiable curiosity about technology. In short, in spite of family pressure to pursue a different career, my passion and interest in technology is what led me to my career. Management came later after several years working as a PC Technician and Computer Network Engineer.