Can we have a general career advice thread? Talk about your job, ask questions about careers or majors you're interested in, etc.
I'm not sure what career I really want to pursue. I started programming in middle school as a hobby, and though I never really got all that serious about it, I always assumed that programming would be my career path. Then I did a 2 year degree in Software Development, and the closer I get to having a programming job, the more I think I'd HATE programming as a career. It seems like the workplace culture most programming jobs has is not what I was hoping for. I feel like the influx of shit like Big Bang Theory, The Great Indoors, and IT Crowd have ruined programming as a career forever. Is it as soul-crushing as I expect? I was thinking of switching to some kind of engineering, maybe Computer Engineering, instead of continuing with a 4 year in CompSci. What kind of work can I realistically expect with a CE degree? Is it going to be any better? I'm in the US, by the way. Working IT for now and it's alright I guess since it's mostly a hands-on job instead of a call center.
Do not go into debt for any reason. Do not play the Jew's game. Never give a penny of usury to anybody. If you have debt it's like being on fucking FIRE. You don't just ignore it. You put it out with extreme urgency.
Ethan Gonzalez
Comsci, compeng, electrical eng are good courses. Just remember that while you are there, your primary focus is to NETWORK. Yes, you'll need to learn, and you should aim to be the top of your class, but make sure that you are on a first name basis with all your profs. Those professors will often get industry contacts asking them to "send your smart students to us", and you want to be included. Another thing that helps, is that if you fuck up a test or assignment, and the prof knows you're better than that, they'll be lenient. I once recall a professor angrily shouting after me that my midterm was trash, and that I really ought to know better. "Take this home and do it properly." Not many students get that luxury, and it was only because we spent a lot of time chatting during office hours.
Austin Nelson
us millenials need to stop subscribing to the progressive marxism where you have to search endlessly for a good job.
Brandon Evans
Holy shit this is terrible advice. 1. Profs don't give a shit once you are outside the pay for my time phase. hence totally shitty networking targets 2. They are PAID to pass you. They have to jump through hoops to fail anyone. lmao you are sucking their dicks for shit the guy asleep in back gets for "free". 3. If you are a top student they love you anyway because it makes them look good. Unless you somehow piss them off they will never cut off their own nose, particularly as career cowards. 4. Their job is to get you a degree NOT a job. If you get a job that's something they brag about to get a raise otherwise no big deal there's always the next class.
Ryan Flores
Nah mate, networking is the entire point of college. Not just with your professors, but classmates. People hire those who they know, trust and those recommended by said criteria. That's just the way the world works. Ignore the advice at your peril, but don't expect to land sweet intern positions based on meritocracy alone.
Ethan Miller
Yeah this is what I've learned from my 2 year. Only problem is that I'm planning on moving to the other side of the country once I'm done with my 4 year, so I'm not sure how helpful those connections will be for me.
Basically what said. I used to believe meritocracy was a thing that existed before actually trying to enter the workforce. I have witnessed firsthand time and time again that this simply isn't true, and that getting a good job is almost entirely up to knowing the right people.
Joseph Williams
Remember: it's not how much money you make, but how long and hard you work. And also how much money you make boss.
Cameron Campbell
It fields are like being the janitor except you have to be smart. The big bang theory meme doesn't stretch to make you one of the cool guys, it's just making you the butt of the jokes. Expect it to be quoted at you the same way teenage boys quote family guy at each other constantly.
What are you looking for in a job OP? What are your top 3 priorities? What interests you Zig Forums wise?
The missing advice on this thread is you want to be an open source rock star while you apply for a job. Get involved in projects you can help with and build a reputation for quality work. If you can do something cool in open source and get your name on a few websites discussing it then you just massively increased your chance of being hired.
Isaiah Phillips
Profs are people too and surprise surprise, they do nice things for people they like
t. someone who got promised a 70k job final year of uni despite having shit marks
