lisa@cs.utexas.edu (Lisa Laguna) (03/15/89)
I really need some sound advice and I am posting because I know there are a lot of experienced people out there that can tell me things that CS professors and counselors can't. I want a job (career) in programming (or programming/management, eventually). My first obtacle is that my Bachelor's is in Psychology. My second is that I'm about to move to Philadelphia and there are no inexpensive schools there (except maybe community college). I have been taking some classes at a community college in Austin and have done well. I use a formatting language (LaTeX) at my job and am pretty good at it and enjoy helping others master it. I think I have the competency for programming. What I lack is the education and experience. I would welcome any advice as to what would be the best path for me to take. Should I go for another undergraduate degree (this time in CS) and get much in debt doing so? Should I continue taking programming and programming theory classes at a community college where I am moving? Would it be any use at all interviewing with companies/universities in the hope that they would see that I'm extremely eager and fast to learn and they would be willing to train me to get me started (I'm sure this is unlikely). The languages I have programmed in are: Basic, Pascal, and I am teaching myself C now and in the summer. I have a Mac at home and love working on it. I also have experience with the IBM PC, but really love working on the Mac. Do very many businesses out there use the Macs? One more question: How easy is it for a programmer to find a half-time job if that is desired? I know it's not easy in many fields. I would really like to be able to stay home half time when I have a baby (or to work part-time at home--I already do this with technical typesetting)--Do many people out there do freelancing/consulting at home? Again, I welcome ALL suggestions, comments, etc. Lisa Laguna
lisa@cs.utexas.edu (Lisa Laguna) (04/01/89)
Just a thanks to all out there who took the time to respond to my posting. I have received many good ideas--some of which had never occurred to me. I feel encouraged now and am much wiser to how it really is out there. I've decided to look into possible co-op programs with big companies, as well as check into graduate programs. I also think I should look into business programming, as I might be more geared to that. As far as the Mac, I think I better learn the IBM for now and use the Mac for my own pleasure (at least until I'm more experienced). I just found out that I'm starting a family sooner than I thought, so my plans are going to be put off about a year and a half, but hopefully during this time I can read and learn a lot and get a better idea of what interests me, and possibly even take a course here and there, and thoroughly look into companies that might give me a chance. Thanks again. Lisa