I understand that this isn't news, but I really need some advice. I'm 26 and am returning to college. I initially planned on studying Psychology, but it doesn't interest me as much as it used to. Lately I've been spending my free time teaching myself Algebra (I was a wreck in High School) and SQL, and I'm enjoying it. I would like to do something related to math and/or computers, but with the cost of schooling as high as it is right now, I want to ensure that I am making a wise investment. I'm also looking for something rather recession-proof. I have about $1,000 in credit card debt and $6,000 in student loans. Any ideas?
Ask HN: Pick My Career
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Re: Ask HN: Pick My Career
#21. Your college major doesn't determine your career. That's a flat-out myth.
2. WHY are you going back to school? What benefit does it and the debt that'll come with it give?
3. How many more classes do you need to graduate?
4. Have you tried out programming? Gone and seen how hackers work every day? Are you sure you want to follow that path? It's a specific type of person who LOVES this work. Many others find themselves disillusioned quickly.
Re: Ask HN: Pick My Career
#3I'm an English major turned programmer. Just a heads-up, from what I've seen in people I've interviewed for programming jobs, college teaches you very few programming skills (lots of theory, though) that are useful in the real world (of hacking). I'm self-taught (C++, Perl, PHP, Javascript, SQL), and the best hackers I've worked with were too.
Re: Ask HN: Pick My Career
#41. Your college major doesn't determine your career. That's a flat-out myth. 2. WHY are you going back to school? What benefit does it and the debt that'll come with it give? 3. How many more classes do you need to graduate? 4. Have you tried out programming? Gone and seen how hackers work every day? Are you sure you want to follow that path? It's a specific type of person who LOVES this work. Many others find themse…
1. Well, to the extent that you can't practice psychology without a degree, it kinda does. I see your point, though.
2. To learn and to make more money. I realize the two don't always go hand-in-hand.
3. Too many. This is my 3rd semester back in school.
4. Nope. I'd love to find out more about it, though. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the reply!
Re: Ask HN: Pick My Career
#51. Your college major doesn't determine your career. That's a flat-out myth. 2. WHY are you going back to school? What benefit does it and the debt that'll come with it give? 3. How many more classes do you need to graduate? 4. Have you tried out programming? Gone and seen how hackers work every day? Are you sure you want to follow that path? It's a specific type of person who LOVES this work. Many others find themse…
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Re: Ask HN: Pick My Career
#61. Your college major doesn't determine your career. That's a flat-out myth. 2. WHY are you going back to school? What benefit does it and the debt that'll come with it give? 3. How many more classes do you need to graduate? 4. Have you tried out programming? Gone and seen how hackers work every day? Are you sure you want to follow that path? It's a specific type of person who LOVES this work. Many others find themse…
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Re: Ask HN: Pick My Career
#7I'm an English major turned programmer. Just a heads-up, from what I've seen in people I've interviewed for programming jobs, college teaches you very few programming skills (lots of theory, though) that are useful in the real world (of hacking). I'm self-taught (C++, Perl, PHP, Javascript, SQL), and the best hackers I've worked with were too.
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Re: Ask HN: Pick My Career
#8I'm an English major turned programmer. Just a heads-up, from what I've seen in people I've interviewed for programming jobs, college teaches you very few programming skills (lots of theory, though) that are useful in the real world (of hacking). I'm self-taught (C++, Perl, PHP, Javascript, SQL), and the best hackers I've worked with were too.
How long did it take you to learn all of that? Was your English major worth the investment?
Re: Ask HN: Pick My Career
#91. Your college major doesn't determine your career. That's a flat-out myth. 2. WHY are you going back to school? What benefit does it and the debt that'll come with it give? 3. How many more classes do you need to graduate? 4. Have you tried out programming? Gone and seen how hackers work every day? Are you sure you want to follow that path? It's a specific type of person who LOVES this work. Many others find themse…
1. Your college major doesn't determine your career. That's a flat-out myth.
This is one assertion I see an awful lot here that rather bothers me. You cannot become a medical doctor without the proper degrees. You cannot become a teacher (where I live, at least) without the proper degree (it's not technically required, but no employer will come within a hundred yards of you if you don't have it). You can't become a whole pile of potentially-interesting, reasonably-well-paying things without the correct degree. You can program without a degree, but the notion that there is therefore no connection between getting a degree and success in your chosen career path is ridiculous.
Re: Ask HN: Pick My Career
#10I'm an English major turned programmer. Just a heads-up, from what I've seen in people I've interviewed for programming jobs, college teaches you very few programming skills (lots of theory, though) that are useful in the real world (of hacking). I'm self-taught (C++, Perl, PHP, Javascript, SQL), and the best hackers I've worked with were too.
How long did it take you to learn all of that? Was your English major worth the investment?
I have been teaching myself programming over the past 10 years. I started doing freelance web design while in college and it's been a steady income ever since. I had a profitable internet business in college as well (a comparison shopping site with affiliate links that predated mysimon.com!).
The most valuable part of college was the experience, the people I met, and the T1 connection in the dorms. Studying English taught me how to quote Shakespeare and write sentences like the last one with parallel structure. Occasionally I wax poetic about the similarities between sonnet form and object-oriented PHP.