Career In Computers

[Radicool]

So it's nearly been one year since I finished my HSC (Higher School Certificate) in Australia. I've been working part time in the kitchen at a nursing home since then because I've been so unsure of what to do with my career. The last couple of days I've felt motivated to actually kick-start a career, whether I go to Tafe or University to study, or go straight into a job. It doesn't bother me. Just hoping I can get a decent paying job.

I had to ask myself where my hobbies were. I thought computers. I find it interesting to build computers, fix internet problems, hook up networks or computers, install operating systems, determine why a computer is slow, etc.

I'm here because I don't really know where to start.
- Is the industry I'm looking at called IT (Information Technology)?
- What main areas of IT (if its called IT) are there?
- What course or courses could I do at Tafe or Uni, if needed at all, to get into these sorts of jobs?

Even if I decide later that computers is not interesting enough for a career, at least I've spent the time to decide on that. The only useful advice somebody has given me on careers is: "Don't let the pressure of making the right decision, stop you from making any decision at all". This spoke to me because he was so right. I've been working on a minimum wage for 9 or so months, scratching my head on what to do. I think throwing myself into a job or study which I believe I am interested in is better than doing nothing at all.

 

[EmoBrother]

If you're interested in computer then I suggest you to get pay online (software). You won't have pressure to work at home. But most of the sites need you to pay money first(to buy something) before you get money (I don't really know about this).

Sorry that I can't help you about IT (I don't even know this thing is in the world).

 

[RED BARON]

Well from what I am reading it sounds like you shouldn't be looking at a university education, as it sounds like you are very practically oriented - where universities tend tend be much more theoretical.

You could for instance look for some support companies, they hire people without any specific qualifications as long as the interest and understanding is there.

On the other hand I would recommend finding a study that supplies you with proof of your abilities to do computer support. Be aware though that pc support is a tough sell aka hard to get a job.

So search for any form of higher education that offers practical courses in computers, perhaps I might even recommend going with electro engineering as it would allow you to go even more into computers. Oh and there is also an IT engineer education

Well best of luck with it.

Any questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Radicool]

Thanks everyone for the information. Its definitely a start. If I have any more questions I'll post them here. Thanks again.

 

[Mechanical Man]

Why bothering studying computer science, if never anything works. Rather go study history or geography, there will be less problems.

 

[Dr Super Good]

I find it interesting to build computers, fix internet problems, hook up networks or computers, install operating systems, determine why a computer is slow, etc.

- Is the industry I'm looking at called IT (Information Technology)?
- What main areas of IT (if its called IT) are there?

Its called a "computer technician" and is generally an unskilled job.

- What course or courses could I do at Tafe or Uni, if needed at all, to get into these sorts of jobs?

Any decent university will offer 1-2 courses which help in those areas, but those usually are only a tiny part of another degree program. My university, for example, runs a 10 credit (out of 120 needed a year) course on how to assemble computers in one of the low years. Computer science also gives you a 0 credit (worth nothing but mandatory) course on how to use operating systems.

basically, this is not a university degree. You will probably find Colleges and other lower learning institutes offer some kind of training program for that kind of thing but really it is below any decent University since it is too easy.

I've been working on a minimum wage for 9 or so months, scratching my head on what to do. I think throwing myself into a job or study which I believe I am interested in is better than doing nothing at all.

The job you are describing is still minimum wage. It needs practically no qualifications, only a short simple training course.

If you want to get into computers at a decent play level (skilled work) it is entirely programming and concepts used within, including mathematics. It also can feature some basic digital electronic theory so you understand what is happening in your computers.

Overall I was quite happy and satisfied with my degree, which was a joint Computer Science and Electronic Engineering degree. It taught me everything from programming to circuit board design. I think the pay for such a degree is around 22-28k (£) a year but if you work for a big company you can receive bonuses on top of that for performance.

I strongly recommend you take a university degree in something you like doing and can spend hours every day doing for many years. I choose Electronics and Software Engineering as I have always been interested in computers since a very young age (so was interested in Computer Science) but wanted some variance so since I liked Physics I choose a joint with Electronic Engineering.

 

[RED BARON]

Thanks everyone for the information. Its definitely a start. If I have any more questions I'll post them here. Thanks again.

Glad you could use it, and do consider my comments in combination with DSG.

 

[EmoBrother]

Study about comp is a tough job instead. No matter you want to be a computer technician, chef, lawyer or something else, hope you will consider it 10 times before you make any decision as it's related to your future.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU !

 

[Radicool]

Its called a "computer technician" and is generally an unskilled job....The job you are describing is still minimum wage. It needs practically no qualifications, only a short simple training course.

Thanks for shedding some reality into the thread. I don't mean to boast, but I am capable of more than a minimum wage. Even if that means to deviate slightly from the core job I enjoy. As mentioned above, there is an IT Hardware Engineer. That role seems to implement, maintain and train participants of the system and thus requires a lot of independence and knowledge.

Description: http://www.engineeringjobsfinder.co.uk/Career-Centre/Hardware-Engineer-job-description.html
Uni Course: http://coursefinder.uow.edu.au/information/index.html?course=5BE60B54

How does a Hardware Engineer make systems? Do they use a programing language and look at raw code, do they use a GUI program like Microsoft Access for instance or do they use pre-made software and focus on implementation rather than creation?

Maybe there are other similar fields somebody could mention that I might look into?

 

[GhostWolf]

I don't know where you're living, but here it is definitely not even close to minimum wage (as in, a lot higher).

I suggest you to simply try to get jobs. If you're living in a small place, tell people you are looking for computers to fix/upgrade/make better/etc., and if you live in a city, put those paper-thingies around with your phone number.
Check how much an official technician takes, and take less. If you do a good job, you'll get good money.
If at any point you get bored, or you are not getting enough money, you can simply stop.