Transitioning to IT / Programming 3

[imarosel]

I believe this is the right place for this thread.

Three long winded questions follow below:

I am in the US; I am a 27 year old with a BS in mathematics. Having a degree in math not helped me land jobs as well as I would like, especially a IT/Computer related field. It seems everyone wants specific knowledge of a particular app or language. I feel the logical/abstract reasoning abilities are underappreciated when I take my skills to the interviewing table. Because of the problems I've had, I'm trying to improve my skill set in my spare time. I know HTML, EDI, SQL (for queries etc), I'm good at Access & the VBA behind it, excel and the VBA behind that, I use Seibel and have used SAP (no programming in either) and I use TOAD to query tables.

If you were me what would you learn next? I was thinking about inventing a project and using an open source db (mysql) to build it.

Also, I've notice in conversations I've had with programmers that there is a lot of structure behind good programming. If I wasn't lucky enough to have some of the conversations I've had I never would have caught some of the glimpses of well designed function libraries arranged in hierarchies or know anything about classes and objects. Is there are really good "high level" book about this sort of thing?

One more question: Does anybody have any ideas of a sort of "niche" industry for a mathematical person that is good with computers? I know about the actuarial profession and dabbled in that a little bit, but I found the work I was doing rather repetitive and boring.

Thanks,
Guy from Texas

 

[Xaqte]

For starters, I recommend:

http://www.pragmaticprogrammer.com/ppbook/index.shtml

I've been lucky enough to hear the author speak...

If you were me what would you learn next? I was thinking about inventing a project and using an open source db (mysql) to build it.

Sounds like a great idea, have you ever visited this site:

http://sourceforge.net/

It also seems as If you have primarily Windows experience. Have you ever tried out any of the linux flavors?

Let us know your results!

X

 

[dyarwood]

I have a masters of mathematics degree and like you wanted to get into IT as a programmer. I had done some C++ in my course but of course this was not to the detail that a CS degree student would do. I took a fairly low paying job as a sort of business analyst role in a SME (contract for 6 months found through the uni I went to) to get the foot in the door. When there I displayed knowledge which was shown to be very useful to them. I was offered a job in the IT department as a business systems analyst which covered pretty much every thing. I made sure I was doing as much programming as I could and then after a year in that position landed my current job as a C# developer.

I guess what I am trying to say is look for the foot in the door job. For the entry level jobs CS graduates have the advantage as they spent 3 years doing programming. Look for helpdesk work which could also involve writing scripts. Then after some experience look again. Once the experience has been built up, the degree will not be the deciding factor.

 

[imarosel]

Xaqte,
Thanks for the advice. I haven't tried any Linux flavors yet. I was going to load it onto an old laptop I have and start monkeying around, but I can only have so many projects going on at home. Thanks for the book recomendation, I will definitley read that one.

 

[imarosel]

dyarwood,
Thanks, you make me feel better about the low paying entry level job I've taken right now in order to "pay my dues" and start climbing. I feel underutilized because of what I feel I can do, and I only have a bachelors. Whats a uni and an sme? Around here sme=subject matter expert.

 

[chiph]

Here's another recommendation for the Pragmatic Programmer book. In fact, their entire series is quite good, and highly recommended.

I *almost* got to hear Andy Hunt speak. <sob>

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
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[langleymass]

Generally, I have found that people who are good in math are good with computers. It's too bad that it doesn't help you much. But I have heard the same thing about physics. You would probably be better off with a masters or higher.

You could always teach, but you probably want more money.

Probably the best job for a math person is that of an accuary. You could certainly apply mathematical ability to engineering.

I do hope you just heard the news about HP laying off over 14,000 today.

 

[imarosel]

Yea I did hear the unfortunate news about HP. Why did you bring that up? Do you think it unwise to transition to IT/Programing. Do you think we will see more and more layoffs in the industry?

 

[Xaqte]

imarosel,

I was going to load it onto an old laptop I have and start monkeying around, but I can only have so many projects going on at home.

Why do that when you can take it with you:

http://www.knoppix.org/

 

[dyarwood]

uni = university
sme = Small to medium enterprise

You mentioned you are good at VBA. Try to improve in this area would be my advise. Then try to get hold of a copy of VB6 or VS6. VBA is, as I'm sure your aware, a cut doen version of VB6. Then the transition from VB6 to VB.Net will not seem too big.

I'm all for free stuff such as MySQL but I would also recommend (if you computer can cope with it) the developers edition of SQL Server 2000. It is not that expensive as far as I know (Amazon is around 35 pounds)

 

[EBGreen]

Or MSDE which is free as long as you use MS products for any development work.

[red]"... isn't sanity really just a one trick pony anyway?! I mean, all you get is one trick, rational thinking, but when you are good and crazy, oooh, oooh, oooh, the sky is the limit!" - The Tick[/red]

 

[langleymass]

Yes, I think we will see more Americans laid off. Much of the IT leadership has said publicly that they don't want to hire Americans.

I am also witnessing it first hand, as a contractor with Dell.

 

[chiph]

But Dell is notoriously cheap, so I wouldn't base everything on what you see there.

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[langleymass]

Trust me, Dell wasn't my first choice. Fortunately as a contractor, I am limited to 40 hours a week. That is the main thing that makes it okay.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8625485/

 

[imterpsfan3]

I would try to transition from Access (not many jobs in that realm anymore) to the .NET platform. I'd suggest learning C#, as it gives you a good foundation with learning Java, C or C++ since the syntax is similar. Learn how to code Stored Procedures, Views etc in SQL Server/MSDE. I find the Murach books are good for learning .NET technologies.