To anyone who's graduated with a Computer Technology Degree/Diploma

[redcheck15]

I might want to go into computer programming. Since I'm a little wiser, I want to do my homework. Someone once told me that University or Tech College doesn't matter, since they teach the same programs (just that University spreads it out over 4 years, so there's less of a crunch, verses 2 years in College or Tech school). But it does matter where you go, as some institutions are more recognize than the other.

Now, as I understand it, University and Tech schools both teach Java, C++, and Visual Basic, as well as Network environment programing.

For those of you who have graduated, did you have trouble finding a job (Canadian, US)? How long did it take? What were your job search sources?

For those of you who got hired, what attribute got you hired?

What is your outlook on the future for the next few years? More and more people are going into computer programming just because it sounds and looks like a lucrative career. Do you think it will be come overly saturated?

Finally, if not to the above, then where will the jobs be, and how do you find them? Thank you for your time.

[Brian48]

With the way the IT fields looks right now, companies are usually hiring based on experience and not education. It's great that you may have taken a class in C++, Java, database, etc. etc., but what they actually want to see is whether or not you've actually done any real development with these tools.

One of the best ways to get your feet in the door is to see if any of the larger companies have training programs that you may qualify for. Usually these are rotational positions within the company where you're exposed to various technologies and after "graduation", you're offered a position. Internships are another good way to get your foot in the door as well.

[mrmagoo_83]

Well doc, I have an AAS (Associates of Applied Sciences) in Electrical Engineering and an AA in Computer Engineering, both from a rinky dink no name two year college. I was lucky and got a descent job right out of school, I say descent.

It is easy to get a job with a degree from a two year school, but a lot of jobs want to see a degree from an acredited college. Usually a four year degree, i.e BS.

But you can get a good job with a two year degree from a no name college, a better job with a two year degree from a well know college, and an even better job from a Well Known four year college.

Now the kicker is that when you get a job with say an AA, it is harder to go UP the food chain. Now with a BS it is much easy to move out of your starting position. I am not sure why, I have seen guys with BS' get hired into open positions above people that have an AA and that have been working at the same position for years. I say that is bad, hire a new guy with no real experiance into a spot you should have given a guy that has had hands on experience with the stuff you want him to design.

Anyway, I am done now. My advice would be:
1.) Go to a two year school, get a good job, then while working and making good money, finish and get your BS, just make sure you can transfer your credits for your AA towards you BS, or you are looking at 6 years of school. Instead of 4.
2.) Just go to a four year school and get your BS over with, then you really have no worries, except how to make it to class each day. And where you want to work when you are done, instead of where you can work.

[redcheck15]

Thanks for the replies. I've posted this topic on a number of boards, and its not surprising how many potential programmers look at the topic. Programming jobs seem to be a hot topic right now, which is why I'm worried about the computer industry being completely flooded within a few years, leaving many people with student debts and no chance of getting jobs.

[techgrl21]

Hi. Just in case your wondering....

I live in Edmonton, Alta as well, and just graduated this April from Grant MacEwan's Microcomputer Specialist program (now called Information Technology and Systems Management). They are a very well known college in Alberta, and graduates are looked upon with respect. The program introduces you to many different aspects of I.T.: Networking, hardware, O/S's, programming, database design, web design, e-commerce.

I got my first job within the college during my second semester. After my first year, I was hired on at a large corporation for the summer. I managed to stay on during my last year of school, and they signed my contract to begin the Monday after graduation.
I'm not a programmer, but the best advice I can give it APPLY. Both of the jobs I got, I heard from many of my classmates "oh, I was going to apply for that".
I don't think Edmonton's market is very strong right now, but there are tons of jobs in Calgary, and south of the border.

You'll never know if you don't try, right??

techgrl:t