a job in computing

comp builder · 10 Nov 2007 at 22:46

hi, i'm in year 11 and have to start thinking about my future career. All my life i've had interest in just two kinds of jobs. Mechanics and computing.
I know a little about each (probably more about computers than mechanics). Anyway, i'm not sure what kind of jobs are about for computing but i have thought what i want to do. I would like to build/repair domestic computers, lie a call out man i suppose. Is there such a job and what qualifications would i likley need, would there be an apprentiship in that?

Morba · 10 Nov 2007 at 22:56

are you really sure that the extent of your career is to be a call out repair man?

have some ambition!

[TR]SweetSpotOz · 10 Nov 2007 at 22:58

Most call out men probably don't have any qualifications. I'm sure most people on the board could do the job.

Mechanical/electrical engineering may be a better route to pursue. Then maybe you could be designing chips rather than replacing them.

Jez · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:00

If i were you i would avoid the computer industry, you have to work stupidly hard for even an average salary in 90% of companies, money does not come thick and fast as it can do in other careers. My day job is in the IT industry and is actually quite well paid for what it is, yet i still make far more money from my own enterprises which use up hardly any time at all.

Take this advice - If i were 16 again i would do an electricians apprenticeship. The money available to a decent fully qualified self employed skilled tradesman with a small team of sub contractors working for him is epic. This is the route a couple of my friends took, and they are now into 6 figures at early 20's running huge jobs. I make only just over half that and have no scope right now for improvement. I really regret my decision's earlier in life now, and im a bit too far gone to go back to training, as i need a large income to live.

Glaucus · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:00

Do you really want to work on computers all day?
Sat there doing routine and boring things?

yeh I would look at engineering based apprenticeships.

gumbald · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:02

Set your sights higher than that. Learn some specific skills.

BlackDragon · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:07

AcidHell2 said:
Do you really want to work on computers all day?
Sat there doing routine and boring things?

yeh I would look at engineering based apprenticeships.

I don't know what job you do but surely you wouldn't train in something you didn't enjoy doing?

Glaucus · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:09

BlackDragon said:
I don't know what job you do but surely you wouldn't train in something you didn't enjoy doing?

I went to uni to do computing, as I found out having an interest in something and doing a job in it, is two very diffrent things.

I know work on the railways and really regret not doing an engineering degree or apprenticeship. hindsights a wonderful thing.

comp builder · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:14

well really i'm just thinking of thingsi like doing at then moment (no jobs in remote contol cars though

lol)
acidhell2 i thought about what you said and i suppose i dont want to really. I'm more of a practical person really (i get hyperactive and quite bored when i've played on the computer or xbox for a few hours). My dad's an electrcian and i did my work experience with him (just wiring up plugs, lights, switches, putting in electric heaters etc nothing too big), i did enjoy it it's just not something i can see myself looking forward to getting up and doing everyday.
Might go for the mechanics aprentiship, i've always liked cars (well anything with an engine really lol).
Anyway i will hopefully get a connexions appointment at school soon, i was just wondering if the computing industry was a good path to go down, but judging by the reply's i suppose not lol

mattyrigby00 · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:15

this year i started an nvq course in ict at college and am already regretting it... i realised i like computers as a hobby, not as something to do a job in, so probably doing something different next year, atm thinking of doing an electricians apprenticeship.

Jez · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:17

comp builder said:
Might go for the mechanics aprentiship, i've always liked cars (well anything with an engine really lol).

No money in it though mate, ive a mate (well, he's a mate of a mate) whose a mechanic for a private rally team of some description, works on all kinds of beautiful machinery, but he is paid very poorly. Youd certainly struggle to get on the housing market and run cars etc working in this field.

[TW]Fox · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:37

Going to peoples family homes to remove spyware is rubbish. Set your sights higher, Jez speaks truth.

comp builder · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:39

i wonder why? nearly every family in the country has at least 2 cars and they would need fixing at some point so you would think there would be a high demand for mechanics and they would be well paid.
No matter what job i get it's not going tp be too well paid as i live in stoke-on-trent (and want to stay living here too when i'm older) and apparently it's one of the lowest paid cities in england.
For example my dad gets around £28,000 a year for doing domestic electric re-wires (1st fix and 2nd fix) which (as i belive) isnt much for what he does

comp builder · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:41

[TW]Fox;10462251 said:
Going to peoples family homes to remove spyware is rubbish. Set your sights higher, Jez speaks truth.

i wasn't nessearily thiking of that i was thinking more hardware re-lated and i wanted to build them aswell, but i suppose it's more of a hobby to me and could get tedious and boring if i did it day-in-day-out

[TW]Fox · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:42

You will be bored of it, seriously. When I was your age I had nothing all over my room except bits of hardware and I spent all day building stuff for the sake of it.

Now I simply upgrade when new stuff comes out and thats it. You move on, other things will come into your life. Girls and cars and stuff are more fun than building computers, building a computer turns into a means to an end not a hobby in itself.

Lagmeister · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:43

Personally I am aiming for consulting rather than a typical IT support / code monkey role (I know its much the same, but I enjoy doing my final year project in my university's consultancy), you may want to look into that.

[TW]Fox · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:45

Lagmeister said:
Personally I am aiming for consulting rather than a typical IT support / code monkey role (I know its much the same, but I enjoy doing my final year project in my university's consultancy), you may want to look into that.

You can't be a true consultant without lashings of experience. There are many people out there who like to think they are consultants but a true consultant is somebody who has been there, done that and got the tshirt on everything they consult about. Not read the textbook. Yes, the textbooks are important, more important than those who didnt bother might like to make you think, but you need experience on top of that.

People fresh out of Uni should not be able to become consultants for many years. And I mean no disrespect by that, I'm in Uni myself.

To many people these days think they can just 'go into consulting'. Who's going to take your advice if you've no real experience?

comp builder · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:49

[TW]Fox;10462292 said:
You will be bored of it, seriously. When I was your age I had nothing all over my room except bits of hardware and I spent all day building stuff for the sake of it.

Now I simply upgrade when new stuff comes out and thats it. You move on, other things will come into your life. Girls and cars and stuff are more fun than building computers, building a computer turns into a means to an end not a hobby in itself.

yeah can't wait until i'm 17 so i can get a car, go clubbing etc etc.
to be honest i havnt opened up my computer in a while. I did open it up earlier this week to put a fan speed controller in but other than that i havnt opened up for months (being to busy with RC stuff, mates etc)

easyrider · 10 Nov 2007 at 23:52

[TW]Fox;10462312 said:
You can't be a true consultant without lashings of experience. There are many people out there who like to think they are consultants but a true consultant is somebody who has been there, done that and got the tshirt on everything they consult about. Not read the textbook. Yes, the textbooks are important, more important than those who didnt bother might like to make you think, but you need experience on top of that.

People fresh out of Uni should not be able to become consultants for many years. And I mean no disrespect by that, I'm in Uni myself.

To many people these days think they can just 'go into consulting'. Who's going to take your advice if you've no real experience?

You don't need real experience to know the truth.

The poeple I have met that are "consultants" know very little about the now.

But a lot of stories about the past ,that in truth mean nothing in IT, as the tech changes that quickly.

Skeeter · 11 Nov 2007 at 00:01

[TW]Fox;10462312 said:
To many people these days think they can just 'go into consulting'. Who's going to take your advice if you've no real experience?

EVERYONE! Beacuse no body in any senior positions within companies understand technology. All the people with the knowledge and skills in technical areas spend all their time being code monkys. Directors get there by blagging and getting other people to do the donkey work and then get the credit for it. If you go in pretending to understnad you will get far. atleast untill a couple of placement students question your methods and tell you your wrong!

I like sitting in my networking lectures looking at all the coders and thinking to myself that Im the only one there with any Business qualifications and any experience...

Something esle. Only 2 industries in the world call their customers 'Users'. The IT industry, and the drugs industry....