Continuing Education Advice & Career Thread

[The Saltman]

Don't waste your time on a computer science cert. Most companies could care less about them.

[SOJA]

Don't waste your time on a computer science cert. Most companies could care less about them.

 

 

so I'm assuming as long as you can prove you can program what they would need you to and you're a good fit you'd be hired?

[The Saltman]

Pretty much. Some do want the piece of paper saying you have a bachelor's in computer science but just like anything its what you know.

A cert is useless unless you're getting into like network administration or something like that.

[Panthro]

I have a couple computer scientists that I know that would beg to differ

[The Saltman]

I've never heard of any places asking for certs for developer/programmers but more power to your computer scientist friends.

[SOJA]

well didn't get the position I was really hoping for today, this year has been one of consistent failure. I feel like the 2010 panthers

[The Saltman]

Don't give up bro, we're all gonna make it. I had applied for, what I thought, my best opportunity and they rejected me after a phone interview. I said fug them and put in 90+ applications and now have a great job with a company who truly values their employees.

Just keep at it bro and things will happen for you.

[MadHatter]

The full time interview was not through a recruiter.

That makes it much tougher

[natty]

Starting as a programmer is all about getting your foot in the door.  A degree is the easiest way to do that but if you can do it with a cert then more power to you.  

 

Coding is easy, building software is hard.  

[natty]

Here's the thing about certifications.  The IT industry is very young and moves blazing fast.  Getting certified in a particular product means you know how to use a product that will probably be obsolete in 5-10 years.  Understanding the underlying technological need for that product, how it fills that need, what the limitations are, and how it could be better is far far better than simply knowing how to use it.  15 years ago getting certifications was all the rage but the current industry has learned and moved on.  

 

I split the software industry workers into 2 groups(for the most part) - engineers and technicians.  Engineers are the problem solvers who think creatively and use the best technology for the problem at hand.  The technicians are guys waiting around for the specs so they can crank out the code.  

 

 

The guy that coded everything and walked out is a technician, the guys on the whiteboard are engineers.  I'll bet he coded it in fuging ruby on rails too(because OMFG RoR is so awesome rapid app development ftw!).  What he doesn't realize is after 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, whatever, he code is probably crashing and burning.  Guys like that are an infection in the industry.  If real world engineering were done like this we would have buildings and bridges popping up left and right but then falling apart shortly after(which is basically what we have now in IT, just only IT people notice it).

 

Given the context of this thread I should say both types will get paid well - hell the guy cranking out the code will probably be looked upon better by management(aka the clueless) because faster = better right?  But what they don't understand is the $5k they saved in up front costs now costs them $50k annually in maintenance.  I'm not even talking about certifications anymore, sorry. 

[SOJA]

I'm not even talking about certifications anymore, sorry. 

 

 

loled at that part, but serious thanks for the info

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

Little bit of an update on my situation:

 

As some of you know...I've been trying to continue to get my foot in the door in the sports security industry. It has been difficult for a 24 year old graduate to do so to say the least despite my experience with the Chargers and Patriots. 95% of professionals in this field are either former military or law enforcement. A few weeks ago, I sent out 25 letters to teams and leagues within the major sports and yesterday received the best call yet:

 

The director of security for the NHL called me and invited me down to NYC to present my master's thesis on stadium security, event management, and crowd control to his entire security staff of former FBI agents. I have to wait until the completion of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but I am hoping this goes a long way. He did mention they currently do not have any open positions, however. 

[PandaPancake]

Don't feel frustrated. I have six years of infantry experience and most security companies won't look at me. But I think you're getting into a field at the right time.

Sent from my XT1080 using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

Don't feel frustrated. I have six years of infantry experience and most security companies won't look at me. But I think you're getting into a field at the right time.

Sent from my XT1080 using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

 

Why do you believe they won't look at you?