What is Digg?233 Comments
- freebsdmike, on 06/25/2008, -2/+77Please don't choose tech unless you really really like it. There are enough people in it now strictly for the money and those people generally cause more messes then they clean up.
- inactive, on 06/25/2008, -11/+67Pick up the guitar and the book of poetry again and don't listen to this pinhead. I've been in the tech field for 20 years, even up to currently owning my own company. Trust me, it's ***** and you'll be miserable. You won't have as much money with your guitar and poetry, but you stand a very good chance at being happy.
- OKoperator, on 06/25/2008, -1/+43"Here's a hint for high school graduates or college students still majoring in indecision: Put down that guitar or book of poetry and pick up a laptop. Study computer science or engineering, and plan to move to a big city. Technology is where it's at!"
What a great moral to this article... give up your dreams and passions for money and success. - jp3550, on 06/25/2008, -0/+36Because they play world of warcraft.
- Ravatar, on 06/25/2008, -2/+34I agree that you should do what you want. But if you love technology, don't be dissuaded by comments like these. The reason you're miserable is because you're making yourself miserable. You decide your own happiness no matter what industry you get into.
But again I agree, don't get into technology ONLY BECAUSE of the financial possibilities, because if you don't love it, it WILL sap your will to live. - greengarfield, on 06/24/2008, -4/+33ok...so why are so many of my "tech" friends without a job at this moment????
- bluezombie, on 06/25/2008, -0/+28Author = idiot:
I've worked and studied with people that went into Comp Sci for the pay check. I tutored them when they were failing, I picked up (and usually rewrote) their projects when they were fired. Do what you love, BUT, spread your energy around some. There is a reason why the great minds of the past dabbled in science, engineering, poetry, music, painting ... etcetera. Varied interests led to more balanced minds capable of broader and more creative thought. Broader minds come up with better ideas. Better ideas sell.
Well rounded minds are also usually happier. Happier people are more pleasant to others. Positions where you can avoid people are exactly the kind that get outsourced or automated. Services are the only sector where a warm body is required. A plumber may get dirty, but he'll never be outsourced to another country. Services require face time. Face time requires both social and technical skill. Skill requires study. IE: Humanities AND math. I'm a friendly, helpful guy, but nowhere near the most skilled programmer I know. I do, however, stay employed when people with more skill aren't. So learn to be both smart and friendly and you'll have an easier time getting (and keeping) a job.
My recommendation: study poetry and guitar, BUT put an equal amount of time into the physics and math. Your life will be broader based, happier, and more productive. - Monkiest, on 06/25/2008, -2/+29If this guy hadn't chosen journalism as his career, I might be more inclined to believe him.
- GeorgeStone2, on 06/25/2008, -1/+25Oh hey, 1990. I see you there.
- bblande, on 06/25/2008, -0/+21Hasn't this been true for the last 10 years?
- orlyfactor, on 06/25/2008, -2/+22I read this same ***** 10 years ago. They know as much about the future as my dog.
- Ravatar, on 06/25/2008, -2/+19Possibly one of 3 reasons:
1) They're bad at selling themselves (or just bad socially). They need to be selling themselves as someone of high value to the company.
2) They're not up to date. Tech is one of those industries that requires you to CONSTANTLY be on top of your trade. Most corporate ITers wear multiple hats in their organization.
3) They're defeatist. You know this kind, the one who invites you to coffee just so he has someone to complain to about how "hes an underappeciated second-rate citizen in this industry".
IT is both full of big opportunities and doom-and-gloom, the difference is in who you ask. - Frecklefoot, on 06/25/2008, -0/+15It all depends on where your interest lies. If you love poetry and literature, but hate tech, choosing tech would be the absolute worst choice in the world. Why work in something you hate? Tip: if you work in something you hate, you'll suck at it. Most people who work in tech love technology. Only choose tech if you have a chance at being interested in it.
- Ravatar, on 06/25/2008, -0/+14This is the crucial point that most of these articles miss. Dugg.
- dcbebop, on 06/25/2008, -0/+14Not to mention there's a ton of people who have no idea what they're doing.
- Tyr7BE, on 06/25/2008, -1/+14Beats me. All my friends work in tech, and all of them have jobs + other offers trying to lure them away from those jobs. And they all make ridiculous salaries too.
- trejrco, on 06/25/2008, -0/+12Hmm, which way to reply?
Technology careers are largely:
1) Location, Location, Location.
2) It's not what you know, but who you know.
3) What do you know / how good are you? Learned anything new lately?
4) Passion. If you don't love it, you won't be great at it.
(in no particular order ... really, all 4 matter!)
/TJ - inactive, on 06/25/2008, -2/+14Wtf is it with these comments and people telling their life stories?
- terminalcode, on 07/31/2008, -0/+12there are alot of jobs in Washington D.C., the 757 area of virginia , maryland, and other places...
- Foot56, on 06/25/2008, -1/+12I heard India has a lot...
- trying2hide, on 06/25/2008, -1/+12Perhaps you live in a small or flooded market. If they would move to a another city their odds of employment would increase.
Then again your friends may need to sharpen their skills. - trying2hide, on 06/25/2008, -1/+11I concur
- imsoclever, on 06/25/2008, -1/+11Why would you go into IT if you have a CS major... That's like becoming a nurse if you have a MD
(I'm about to get dugg into oblivion) - xero69, on 06/25/2008, -0/+9Prepare for many lonely nights of manual stimulation and college courses with almost NO female classmates. Sure you'll make good money once out of college, but you'll always keep asking yourself what it would've been like to have tons and tons of hot sex with tasty coeds in college.
- diggopolous, on 06/25/2008, -3/+12Here's a hint for all you high-school students: DON't go into technology! Save yourself because it is too late for me. Don't ever put down that guitar and DON"T ever put down the book of poetry!
Developing a talent or at least an appreciation of the arts is never a bad thing. I've seen many a good man either burn out or phased out in technology by the time they are in their early 30's.
Early 30's might seem ancient to a person in high school but believe me, it will arrive sooner than you think. And you will have next to nothing to show for it. That killer app that you wrote, that
project you mastered that wowed everybody will be a major JOKE as the sands of time go by
and seems quaint. It will seem just as impressive as that dynamite COBOL program I wrote 15 years ago. And if you didn't realize it already, that college degree you sweated over sleeping in the university computer lab while your friends were out ejoying college life - athletics, partying, dating will be another JOKE as all those courses become obsolete as technology marches on.
The article suggests moving to a big city. I did and I pay almost 3 grand (yes, that's per month)
for a one bedroom rental. At least my blue collar friends such as iron workers can look about the city and spot a skyscraper and feel immense pride at having been part of building it. In technology
it is NOTHING tangible - maybe some bits and bytes on some thankless bosses hard drive. My friends are going to the beach this weeekend. I will as usual be in the data center because as you know we can't do anything to production systems during the week. Yes, I make excellent money. Is it worth it? NO. This is what you call golden handcufffs. So I challenge you to think long and think hard about going into tech - because you might end up like me in 15-20 years and
be posting warnings on digg to the next generation. And remember do not ever, never put down that guitar, violin, football or that book of poetry even if you decide to go into tech. There are finer fthings in life - tech aint one of them. - prleet, on 06/25/2008, -0/+9The best jobs...astronomy!
not money wise..but out of this hell hole earth.. - mcnasby, on 06/25/2008, -0/+8Depends which side of the industry you work in. If you're working for an old school TIS department you'll probably be miserable. If you work as a designer, front end development, account management, or for an interactive agency - you have a good chance at loving what you doing and making a lot of money in the process. While most of your happiness and success depends on the company, the tech industry, in general, fosters a fast, fun, and creative spirit.
- booyahbitch, on 06/25/2008, -1/+9I have been in "IT" for about 11 years, before that it was a hobby for about 12 years. I was a Respiratory Therapist, and technology kept creeping into my job. I finally made the fulltime change and have never looked back!! I can't get AIDS or TB from a computer, and regardless of what mttyd up there says, healthcare is a drudge factory, burn out is at all time highs and pay SUCKS! I had a 4 year degree in Allied Health Sciences and made less than $35,000 per year. I am now in IT Security and make well over $100,000 per year. Granted, I really enjoy my job, as well as get paid good, so I am a very happy camper...and isn't that what it is all about?!?
- cadmiumpaint, on 06/25/2008, -1/+9Do what you love. Thats the only way to make sure that you'll be great at what you do. The money will follow.
- Drealoth, on 06/25/2008, -0/+8Choose something that you like to do, and not for the money. You will be competing against people who love what they do, and unless you love what you do, you won't be able to keep up. You'll spend your career watching your younger peers quickly overtake you. In the end of the day, you'll end up undistinguished and forgotten somewhere in the middle.
- thellamafarm, on 06/25/2008, -2/+9False, im calling ***** on this one. Dont ever put down your put down your computer. Some people want to go into technology like this. Some people love that kind of stuff. Its cool that your posting your opinion, but that doesn't mean that's how lifes gonna be for everyone going into tech.
- brundlefly76, on 06/25/2008, -0/+7Exactly - this headline and summary just perpetuates the myth that everyone who goes to college is there to make the most money when they graduate without regard to the value of education and field of personal interest.
One thing I would warn people leaning toward tech is that I, like a lot of people, have lost interest in tech jobs as I grow older. I once loved learning about and mastering stuff like unix and programming, but it is largely uninteresting to me now years later - I dont regret it, just that my interest and priorities have changed.
So, if you gear yourself toward tech, make sure you are keeping an eye on your career development and heading somewhere you want to wind up - and don't assume promotion to management will be your savior - you might hate it even more.
College may not be the last time you need to decide your 'major' - it may happen several times throughout your life. - inactive, on 06/25/2008, -0/+7I agree with every you just said. Having people skills and technical know how have landed me jobs that I've competed for against people with more technical know how.
Bottom line....Don't be pissed you didn't get that job because you look like you just came out of your basement after a year of nonstop WoW and you fail miserably at life. Learn some social skills. - inactive, on 06/25/2008, -0/+7As Paul Grahm would say these stories about the Tech Industry are nothing but a PR movement to flood the market.
Tech jobs are not where it's at. There are jobs going overseas constantly. If you program in your spare time, then you might consider programming as a job, but if you never look at a line of code on your spare time, dont bother. If you design or code websites occasionally, then look into web design/dev, otherwise dont bother. Too many people get into this stuff but really dont give a damn about it and are not up to date on things. - belebih, on 06/25/2008, -0/+7Ultimately, it comes down to doing what makes you happy. If what makes you happy is in high demand at the moment, then you’re in luck. But picking a major solely because of that high demand and promise of a good salary is likely just lead to disappointment.
You may end up hating what you do or you may find out you’re just not good at it. Realizing this years after starting college or, Joe Pesci forbid, after graduating is horrible cause you either have to suck it down and keep at it or go back to square one and come to terms with the fact that you just wasted so many years of your life. - Lewiji, on 06/25/2008, -1/+7There are no jobs in IT because IT is very easy to train in - not to undervalue your training, but any old person can pretty much pick up an IT course over the phone and learn it.
However, graduates in software engineering and computer engineering are very much in demand right now. - GeorgeStone2, on 06/25/2008, -1/+7Yeah, but so's the US...
Where's your capitalism now! - craighoxton, on 06/25/2008, -0/+6...and the jobs are in INDIA!
- Brian48216, on 06/25/2008, -0/+6ironic since a lot of his supporters are tech workers
- adam2112, on 06/25/2008, -0/+6Agreed. I have been in I.T. for almost 10 years. I loved it while I was in school, but the career itself has made me want to slit my wrists. When I can find something else to do that will pay the mortgage, I'm out.
- hiltinuts2, on 06/25/2008, -0/+6uh yeah... I wanna learn compruters. I hear dares moneys in techmology.
- jackusage, on 06/25/2008, -0/+6The tech industry would like you to believe that IT is the future but programming is being outsourced to India now for contracts amounting to less than minimum wages.
- Surferess, on 06/24/2008, -4/+10If I were a HS graduate right now it would be a slam dunk for me to choose tech.
- ToonPang, on 06/25/2008, -2/+8Its w00t!. Get that straight of you'll go nowhere in this industry. Pfft, n00b.
- jschrab, on 06/25/2008, -0/+6...good at tech AND something else [too]...
Great wisdom there. - MuskokasFinest, on 06/25/2008, -0/+5I think a lot of people will read this story and get angry because they don't have an amazing job and they consider themselves to be in the tech industry. This article even states that if you want to actually become part of this growth, you have to obtain a Degree in something computer related. Not a 1 year college course, or be REALLY good at programming, very few people get good jobs with education like that.
- gamalicious, on 06/25/2008, -0/+5I like your thinking there. Although I am a fan of specializing in a field that you love, variety will bring harmony into your life. I would not care a bit about vintage analog electronics had it not been for my appreciation of music and my love for the electronics feeds right back into music. Who knows how my varied interests may intersect with my career someday?
Just look at all the stuff the great engineers/scientist/inventors of the past dabbled in (DaVinci, Einstein, Newton, Tesla). It seemed to work out pretty well for them. - specialK16, on 06/25/2008, -0/+5If you like it. There are many people that get into IT (CS, CE, etc) only for the money, or for the promise that they will get a good job once they graduate. First, people that really hate tech will drop out, or pay they way out of college, then they'll get a crappy, low paid job.
If you love tech though, have fun, it won't be easy either but at least you'll like what you do. - inactive, on 06/25/2008, -1/+6lame
- deadlyfluvirus, on 06/25/2008, -1/+6lol, good luck with that.
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