Best path to a programming/developer position?

Mike Bowers

I am almost finished with an associates in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Database Analysis. While looking through some wanted ads in the local paper, I realized any developer positions that sound like what I'm looking for require at least a bachelors degree. They all want at least a bachelors in Computer Science, and some accepting bachelors in a related field. Now, I have already decided to pursue the bachelors degree, but I'm not sure which would be the better path. I could do another four years and get a bachelors in Computer Science from the local Penn State campus, or I could transfer my current degree to another local college and get a bachelors in Information Technology. This route would only take another two years, but I don't know how "related" an Information Technology degree is to the Computer Science degree that all the programming positions require. I'm just looking for some opinions from those in the field already. Thanks in advance.

Ennis Ray Lynch Jr

While being a programmer doesn't require a degree (most places will hire an experienced dev without one) if you want to go the degree route the most important degree is a Science degree in Computer Science or Engineering not an I.S. degree. Unless you are going for management I would not recommend a B.I.S. at all (plus a lot of places want the M.I.S.)

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Coding1

Hi there, I am in the same boat. I'm almost finished with my 2 year Computer information and prgramming degree. When I finish, I plan on applying to companies that reguire a BS, and show that I have been in school for 2 years and looking for an entry level position, while I persue my BS degree in computer science part-time. This way I can hopefully find a full-time job and go to a University partime for the BS and hopefully have the company pay for it. A BS is always a good thing and will be an excellent choice for you, as I have learned the same thing from my professors. Good luck!

El Corazon

mbowersjr wrote:

I am almost finished with an associates in Computer Information Systems with a concentration in Database Analysis. While looking through some wanted ads in the local paper, I realized any developer positions that sound like what I'm looking for require at least a bachelors degree. They all want at least a bachelors in Computer Science, and some accepting bachelors in a related field.

It all depends on what you want to do, and what specialties. My story is known to most here. I hold the least amount of education for the specialty I am in. I dropped out of college after a falling out with the University. Although that is a story in and of itself, I took off to Oklahoma for a Votech school that specialized in computer programming for business accounting (came to find out, they were also dental assistants and medical assistants being trained on the 2nd floor). So I graduated less than one year later and hit the streets ready to make my mark. I took every opportunity to get my name out there, including a spot on the local news channel where they highlighted people looking for work in professional areas. I got my first job 2 months later. :) I did accounting work, payrolls, ledgers, receivables, and about the only exciting work I did was improving all the UI's of the building and increasing efficiency, and writing a price prediction program for gasoline that is pretty well accepted as the standard way of doing things. :) I was always bored with accounting. I fought hard to jump ship and did so. It has been an uphill battle and my largest regret is still the lack of degree. I publish papers, but my boss has to sign his name to them also, because he has the PhD. Two Masters thesis have been written about my work, one of which I was even ordered to do the work on. Right now I am working with two college students on a project that will most likely get them their Masters work as well (do you call that a 3rd Masters I've worked on for someone else, or 3rd and 4th??). Anyhow, I had no problem in the business sector without a degree. Bosses love lack of degree because they can pay you less. :rolleyes: If you ever go to the technical side, you can do it, but you will fight for it. If you fight well, you can make it. So what job do you want to do? IT or CS?? What are some of the jobs you were looking at in the paper? any in the job section of CP that interest you? which ones? What you want to do is ultimately what you want your degr

thrakazog

Before you go another 2 years I'd suggest applying to some of the jobs you see asking for a bachelors. A bachelors is a nice thing to have on a resume... got a CS one myself. But every place I've worked also has developers without them who were simple able to demonstrate competence and the ability to learn. Unless you're burning to get the BS you might be able to get yourself into the job market 2 years earlier. After your first *real* job I don't think many places really care about your degrees, just what you can do.

Dan Neely

As others have mentioned an IT degree isn't particularly useful for programming except in the white collar union card role. OTOH a degree from penn state isn't good for much except asking "do you want fries with that?" University of Pittsburgh, class of 2003. :cool:

3x12=36 2x12=24 1x12=12 0x12=18

MidwestLimey

thrakazog wrote:

After your first *real* job I don't think many places really care about your degrees, just what you can do.

In smaller companies this is true, and of course employment via networked nepotism. However most larger companies mandate an engineering, mathematics or IT related degree, and HR will usually stick to their guns.

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Kenneth Ballard

Reading through all the replies I've seen to your question thus far, one question of my own has come up that I'm surprised no one has bothered asking yet. You're completing a 2-year degree and you're going to be applying to companies that have already said they require a 4-year degree. Many companies are willing to trade experience for education, which brings me to my question: what can you demonstrate or present that you have accomplished during your two years in school other than passing the classes? In other words, have you done anything extracurricular, or is your only programming experience, for lack of better words, the exercises out of the book? If your school has a career placement department, you can also talk to them about finding internships. Whether paid or not, you'll at least get experience you can put on your resume.

goodideadave

A couple of things to think about. How do the curricula of the two degrees compare? Would one be more useful to you than the other in the career you are pursuing? In most companies I have worked since 1979, the HR weenies were unable to tell the difference between a CS and an IT degree. We all look alike to them. I have worked with more than a few people who jumped ship from some other field (wildlife biology, music, optometry, no kidding), got a masters in CS or IT in an 18-month night school program, and got a job in IT. I have worked with more than a few programmers who had a bachelors in something like accounting or finance. Often, hiring managers like those guys because they have degrees in the same discipline. And don't even get me started on MBAs. You might have a unique opportunity ahead. Get a degree in something you like while working somewhere as a junior coder. Learn the trade (yeah, IMHO it's a trade, don't let the artistes tell you otherwise ;) ), make a little money, and see if you like it.

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