Programming Forums > Community Forums > Coder's Corner Lounge

Harakim · Jun 3rd, 2006, 8:00 PM

Buy a drive off of tigerdirect �20 and install linux on that, then modify (Step 4) the Windows Bootloader. You could also do that all on one drive, but it wouldn't be as easy.

As for career choice, I have learned something. I hate Mechanical Engineering. I was really good at it for a while, but I just didn't like it. Eventually that caught up with me in the form of a C- (which doesn't give credit).
I would just suggest you go into something you like, and don't worry about how much you'll make. Just about anything with computers pays well enough.

RobEasy · Jun 3rd, 2006, 8:13 PM

I really thank you guys for the advice.

megamind5005 · Jun 3rd, 2006, 8:48 PM

Just remember our share of your future salary

rsnd · Jun 4th, 2006, 7:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobEasy

Well! Let me start off by saying that this is a great forum with good people and that I am glad I signed up. That being said, I need your guys advice.

I can't decide to stay with computer hardware technology or go on to programming full time.

Let me give you peoples some background. I have always loved technology, especially computers, and as time has gone on I have found myself trying to lean a programming language then vacillating between software and hardware.

In college I was going into engineering because I liked working with my hands, but I found, to my dismay, that there was only theory and no practical experience. I stopped. I swiched to a different school and got into electronics engineering technology. That was cool because I am getting theory and practical exp. all in one.

Then, I took a programming class... Fell in love! It's crazy because I want to absorb all the info about programming apps and OS's, then I want to absorb all the info circuit design and implementation. I just want to get a feel on what I am getting into.

Please if you can, give me some advice on how you went about deciding between coding and your other loves.

Yes. Most hardwaree people fall in love with programming. Its natural. If you get into electrical engineering, it will be all about designing electrical systems (vary few are actually into working with computer systems). If you get into software engineering, it will mostly be about designing software systems that runs on those electrical systems. And if you become a computer programmer, it will mostly be coding for computers. One thing about electrical engineering is that...its not easy. If you want to go into that, you will have to spend more time on it than you would have to for programming. Especially in later years.

bl00dninja · Jun 5th, 2006, 1:26 AM

back when i was at college (at the "right" age for college) i went through biology, media communications, radio emphasis, and finally psychology as majors.

then i dropped out and did a bunch of other stuff...for several years...like, 6.

then i picked up a book on html at the bookstore b/c i was looking at gaining insight into a website i was running called www.theworldisyour.net or some crap like that (it no longer exists...later found out it was a lot like www.maddox.xmission.com). i went from html to javascript to java to C++, back to C, then forward again to C++, learning perl now, had to do some VB and use pov-ray and some imbedded systems stuff for school a couple semesters ago. i'm looking to graduate in about 2 years...i have like 135 credit hours and no degree, just because of all the different crap i've done. but yeah, buying that book changed my life.

Infinite Recursion · Jun 5th, 2006, 9:48 AM

--> Programming/Software Engineering

RobEasy · Jun 7th, 2006, 2:14 PM

I really do appreciate all the advice folks! Thank you again that at least pointed my in the right direction... If not a whole new one, but we shall see!

rsnd · Jun 7th, 2006, 2:54 PM

I reckon its more about what you think you will like.

Harakim · Jun 7th, 2006, 9:04 PM

Maybe if you posted some of the projects you liked, we could help guide you to people or occupations we think you would enjoy.

I have spent a lot of time discovering careers. I have already completed a Bachelor's degree and realized that it wasn't what I wanted to do. I am now working on a second Bachelor's (double major) in Computer Science and Computer Engineering. I hope one day to be an Economist. :p

RobEasy · Jun 8th, 2006, 11:06 AM

Interestingly enough, I decided to take it slow. I have been thinking a lot about where my education could take me, and I decided that with enough dedication I could most likely do both EET and programming.

When I started learning about VB .Net in a class I was taking in school, I was so excited that I could grasp the concepts well, and the teacher was very encouraging. I know now that I am going to have to take it upon myself to keep learning and focus on one thing at a time.

I figured that if I could have my cake, maybe I could eat it too.

View Poll Results: Which Would You Choose!
Programming/Software Engineering	19	70.37%
Electronic Communications Engineering Tech	3	11.11%
Both	5	18.52%
Voters: 27. You may not vote on this poll

Jun 3rd, 2006, 8:48 PM	#13
megamind5005 Programmer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK Posts: 53 Rep Power: 4	Just remember our share of your future salary __________________ Tetris is so unrealistic

Jun 5th, 2006, 1:26 AM	#15
bl00dninja Programming Guru Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: namespace std Posts: 1,246 Rep Power: 6	back when i was at college (at the "right" age for college) i went through biology, media communications, radio emphasis, and finally psychology as majors. then i dropped out and did a bunch of other stuff...for several years...like, 6. then i picked up a book on html at the bookstore b/c i was looking at gaining insight into a website i was running called www.theworldisyour.net or some crap like that (it no longer exists...later found out it was a lot like www.maddox.xmission.com). i went from html to javascript to java to C++, back to C, then forward again to C++, learning perl now, had to do some VB and use pov-ray and some imbedded systems stuff for school a couple semesters ago. i'm looking to graduate in about 2 years...i have like 135 credit hours and no degree, just because of all the different crap i've done. but yeah, buying that book changed my life. __________________ i put on my robe and wizard hat... Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?...Morons.

Jun 5th, 2006, 9:48 AM	#16
Infinite Recursion Programming Guru Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: United States Posts: 3,467 Rep Power: 8	--> Programming/Software Engineering __________________ http://jasonpowers.net "There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root."

Jun 7th, 2006, 2:54 PM	#18
rsnd Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Helltown Posts: 162 Rep Power: 4	I reckon its more about what you think you will like. __________________ Spread your wings and fly! Chicken!

Jun 3rd, 2006, 8:00 PM	#11
Harakim Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: May 2006 Location: West Jordan, Utah, United States Posts: 176 Rep Power: 3	Buy a drive off of tigerdirect �20 and install linux on that, then modify (Step 4) the Windows Bootloader. You could also do that all on one drive, but it wouldn't be as easy. As for career choice, I have learned something. I hate Mechanical Engineering. I was really good at it for a while, but I just didn't like it. Eventually that caught up with me in the form of a C- (which doesn't give credit). I would just suggest you go into something you like, and don't worry about how much you'll make. Just about anything with computers pays well enough.

Jun 3rd, 2006, 8:13 PM	#12
RobEasy Programmer Join Date: May 2006 Location: The US duhhhhh! Posts: 42 Rep Power: 0	I really thank you guys for the advice.

Jun 7th, 2006, 2:14 PM	#17
RobEasy Programmer Join Date: May 2006 Location: The US duhhhhh! Posts: 42 Rep Power: 0	I really do appreciate all the advice folks! Thank you again that at least pointed my in the right direction... If not a whole new one, but we shall see!

Jun 7th, 2006, 9:04 PM	#19
Harakim Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: May 2006 Location: West Jordan, Utah, United States Posts: 176 Rep Power: 3	Maybe if you posted some of the projects you liked, we could help guide you to people or occupations we think you would enjoy. I have spent a lot of time discovering careers. I have already completed a Bachelor's degree and realized that it wasn't what I wanted to do. I am now working on a second Bachelor's (double major) in Computer Science and Computer Engineering. I hope one day to be an Economist. :p

Jun 8th, 2006, 11:06 AM	#20
RobEasy Programmer Join Date: May 2006 Location: The US duhhhhh! Posts: 42 Rep Power: 0	Interestingly enough, I decided to take it slow. I have been thinking a lot about where my education could take me, and I decided that with enough dedication I could most likely do both EET and programming. When I started learning about VB .Net in a class I was taking in school, I was so excited that I could grasp the concepts well, and the teacher was very encouraging. I know now that I am going to have to take it upon myself to keep learning and focus on one thing at a time. I figured that if I could have my cake, maybe I could eat it too.

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Programming Forums > Community Forums > Coder's Corner Lounge

Decisions on education