Ping: Computer professionals.

[ebbomega]

Alright. I know about monster, so that need not apply. But basically, I'm looking to move my career up a bit. I've been playing the call center game right now for a year and from what I understand our economy is hella booming... to top it off this job is starting to heavily lick ass. So this brings the question: What's next for me?

What would you guys recommend for a next-level-up position? Is sysadmin the next logical step? Mainly, I'm thinking I want to work on user-level apps (read: Interfaces/GUIs) and possibly eventually getting into embedded devices. I've only got a year of professional experience in the Tech Industry, a ton of self-taught stuff and half a computer science degree... so that is to say I've got the capabilities but little of the experience. So where to next? What kind of things can I look for? Basically I'm looking for something where I'm making at least $12 an hour for some stimulating work.

Recommendations?

[stringbeans]

entry level programmer/developer?

[Gusto]

yeah, if you want to get into programming then don't go the systems admin route.

[MC Hammered]

Programming is programming

Programming + Sysadmin = Network Admin if you can generate the scripts.

For $12 you can try applying for general HelpDesk work for the gov't or any city municipality.

Best bet is to try and get a Helpdesk type position and if you are lucky and the manager is a guy like me he'll send you on courses to help build the skills you are interested in learning which will also benefit the company.

I hired one guy because I got to test him out via a co-op work term. I trained him to be a webadmin and sent him to all the courses required and gave him the tools to succeed. Now he is worth 3-4 times what he started out as and has a career path.

[Gusto]

Originally Posted by MC Hammered

Programming + Sysadmin = Network Admin if you can generate the scripts.

those are just titles and don't necessarily mean anything. i know network admins that don't script and systems admins that do. but yeah, even though you'll get to do a little programming/scripting as a network/systems admin, you won't get the programming experience you need to get into things like embedded programming and interface development.

your best bet is probably to try and apply for company's that have in-house development for their custom apps (the company i work for does this, but isn't looking at the moment), because you'll get to work on a team with other developers and learn from each other. plus programming alone is a lot different than with a team. try somewhere like business objects maybe.

[Leviathan]

If your wanting to get into embedded stuff admin isn't going to get you very far. My suggestion is to pick yourself up a pic development kit just to get a bit of experience. We develop our own controller for our products based on a TI DSP, its pretty sweet. I'm using one of them to automate my fishtank.

My advice is to start delving into the hardware side of things since your already pretty good at coding. There is no substitute for having someone who can design/interface and code. Our board is designed and build 100% by us in house. I know you can pick up an pretty cheap HC11 starter kit at BCIT, thats what I used back in the day. I was actually suprised at how much could be done with that thing.

As far as getting a job in the embedded world, thats another story. My suggestion would be to see if BCIT offers anything at night and try to get a crash course on embedded systems. It could be hard getting a job with a company doing that type of stuff without experience or schooling. Get one do some projects, you'll have fun and learn a wack load at the same time. I'm actually going to be taking another embedded course in the summer that involves designing, building and developing your own embedded system, should be fun.

[Goat]

Ever think of getting into instrumentation? Otherwise shit holes, oil booming towns like Fort McMurray and places like here, Fort St John are absolutely booming for workers of all kinds.
The oil patch is looking hardcore for anyone with half a brain and computer programming/ instrumentation skills.
I read an article in the paper that Fort McMurray McDonalds is hiring for $16/hours. It's the richest town in Canada. My teacher was mentioning Licenced Mechanics are getting $65 000+ sign on bonus's for a 5 year stint plus above average wages. 2nd year apprentice pipe fitters are getting $100 000+ sign on bonus's plus rediculous wages.
People throw around moeny like there's shit on it. Even here, everywhere I go I see "help wanted" signs. Every second store is short staffed. The oil patch pays $18-25/hour just for a labouror. Everyone is desperate for people.

Anyway, food for thought.
Pm if you'd like some more information.

[neoh]

in IT, it's not what you know - it's who you know.

working for MSN what, TV? In a call center for a year != good work experience for many people looking to hire entry-level sysadmins. For programming, it's best to get hands on experience contracting out for awhile until you build good contacts and business relashionships then work from there, so you have something to show for your ability.

[Gusto]

Originally Posted by neoh

in IT, it's not what you know - it's who you know.

working for MSN what, TV? In a call center for a year != good work experience for many people looking to hire entry-level sysadmins. For programming, it's best to get hands on experience contracting out for awhile until you build good contacts and business relashionships then work from there, so you have something to show for your ability.

It's definately a bit of both, and it's who you know in every industry. if you know someone on the inside, who is willing to vouch for you and put in a good word, then you're more likely to get hired at any job.I started in a call center working for MSN (and another call center before that), and have been doing systems admin work for the last five years or so, so starting in a call center is not necessarily a bad thing; call centers need admins too.

[dj_soo]

who you know helps you get the job.

what you know helps you keep it :).