I started out in the programming field about 3.5 years ago. I'm finding it very difficult to keep up with all of the technology. It seems like I fight to keep my head above water. I started out doing Microsoft Office type stuff with Excel and Access, then gravitated towards exclusively Access. This is after having no education or background at all in computers. Then there was ASP, SQL Server...different versions of Office/Access/SQL Server. Lately it's been .NET(VB.NET/ASP.NET/C#). I basically teach myself the new technologies but finding it impossible to keep up with all the new versions of Office, Windows, Visual Studio, SQL Server, etc.
Then I say, hmmm, I need to get some certs like MCSD, MCDBA, etc.
Of course when I started I went about things the wrong way but I created stuff that worked. Now I am creating applications in a more object-oriented fasion, which takes a lot more planning and expertise.
Sometimes I feel I am stupid, other times I feel overwhelmed, other times it just feels like there is a lot out there to know. I find myself having a hard time developing a focused plan for learning all this. I tend to go from one technology to the next, or one book from the next, without becoming a master of any.
From a learning standpoint I am not sure if it is better to be an expert at least one thing or a jack of all trades.
I'm just wondering if there are other like-minded people who become overwhelmed with the wave of technology.
Then I say, hmmm, I need to get some certs like MCSD, MCDBA, etc.
Of course when I started I went about things the wrong way but I created stuff that worked. Now I am creating applications in a more object-oriented fasion, which takes a lot more planning and expertise.
Sometimes I feel I am stupid, other times I feel overwhelmed, other times it just feels like there is a lot out there to know. I find myself having a hard time developing a focused plan for learning all this. I tend to go from one technology to the next, or one book from the next, without becoming a master of any.
From a learning standpoint I am not sure if it is better to be an expert at least one thing or a jack of all trades.
I'm just wondering if there are other like-minded people who become overwhelmed with the wave of technology.