To late to become "technically aware"?

[honey-bucket]

So, right now I'm 19 and in my first year college with kick ass grades in general education requirements (English, history, etc) because I have no idea what I want to do with my life.

I'm scared as hell about finding a steady job, and I'm not really passionate about anything. Many people in my family work with computers, but over the years I have managed to pick up nothing from them, probably because when we were younger my brother and I shared a computer (shared is the wrong word) which resulted in me getting my ass kicked if I even questioned anything he did the the PC (I weep for his co-workers) so I just decided not to bother. I may know slightly more than the average laymen from being around them, but not much.

But I digress

So now I find myself at the glorious age of 19 in the "computers look neat, but I know so little about them" stage. There is so much knowledge to be learned in such a short amount of time to become actively passionate, or even make a career out of it. So my question is, can it be done? We've all seen the Nick Burns computer guy on SNL... It's a scary world.

I'm not bent on getting a tech job, just the knowledge would help in any situation really, I'm more interested in becoming passionate and knowledgeable about something.

If you have any experiences like this, advice, or links to worth-while information please share. =)

[bani_banan]

I'm glad that you're moving towards the geek side.

As you said, you weren't raised as a techy, wich makes it harder for you.

I'm 18. studying to become a nurse (I'll probably study a couple of more year then go to medical school. Being a male nurse here is unfortunately demeaning)

I would love a job in technology. But for now I'm setelling in on writing a weekly column for a local newspaper

Try watching revision3s shows, DL.TV + some tech podcasts that are on iTunes.
They answer pretty basic questions. Or just simply head over to youtube and search for "Computer questions". Use the questions and do google searchers. You will find answers in a matter of minutes. (I go to YouTube searching for tech-questions when I get really tough questions about programming which I don't know jack shit about).

Sorry for the ego post, but that's what you can do.

lockergnome.com has a nice technology related forum (Owned by Chris Pirillo, former MVP)

Also, ask your brother if you could hang with your brothers IT people, they're usually very friendly and gladly answer questions.

[tokenuser]

I'm 18. studying to become a nurse (I'll probably study a couple of more year then go to medical school. Being a male nurse here is unfortunately demeaning) I have several relatives that are nurses - including a male.

He went into it to become a paramedic, but decided that he like the life as an ER nurse, specialising as an emergency midwife. He travelled back and forth between the UK and Australia, working in different hospitals, travelling around. Then he ent to Theology school, met his wife, and is now planning on playing medcal missionary.

Nothing wrong or demeaning about nursing at all :)

[masherscf]

Nothing wrong or demeaning about nursing at all :)

Not to mention, with a two-year degree you can write your ticket to anywhere.

[tokenuser]

Want to be a geek? don't bother. The industry is full. You would be better of turning your attention to how best to use a computer as a tool (because that is all it is - it is not a mystical box to be worshipped) to support your chosen field of work. At the moment, that means as a student. KNOW your word processor, KNOW your spreadsheet, KNOW your presentation tool. Grab a copy of Endnote (trust me, it will help you for papers and research writing).

But getting into the guts of a computer or fiddling with the OS? Those days are over. Make sure you know how to install a virus scanner, spyware scanner, and configure a local network (again trivial today), but don't bother going beyond that unless something really grabs your attention.

[bani_banan]

I have several relatives that are nurses - including a male.

He went into it to become a paramedic, but decided that he like the life as an ER nurse, specialising as an emergency midwife. He travelled back and forth between the UK and Australia, working in different hospitals, travelling around. Then he ent to Theology school, met his wife, and is now planning on playing medcal missionary.

Nothing wrong or demeaning about nursing at all :)

I've also been thinking of becoming a paramedic or an ER nurse. Maybe surgical nurse.

I'll see what the future will give me.

As of now, I'm seteling on working at a senior citizens home. ( fixing hearing aides is a daily routine.)

[tokenuser]

As of now, I'm seteling on working at a senior citizens home. ( fixing hearing aides is a daily routine.)My aunt has worked as an ER midwife (she got my cousin - from a different part of the family - interested in it as a specialty), is a home birthing coach/midwife (again - her ER background is crucial here), and is now working the opposite end of the spectrum running the palliative care unit in a hospice (making people more comfortable as they are dying).

My cousin also does stints in a local senior citizens home when he gets back from overseas work while he is looking for a contract. They love him there, and take him back each time on a short time basis.

[bani_banan]

My aunt has worked as an ER midwife (she got my cousin - from a different part of the family - interested in it as a specialty), is a home birthing coach/midwife (again - her ER background is crucial here), and is now working the opposite end of the spectrum running the palliative care unit in a hospice (making people more comfortable as they are dying).

My cousin also does stints in a local senior citizens home when he gets back from overseas work while he is looking for a contract. They love him there, and take him back each time on a short time basis.

I know that this is totally of topic, but working at a home has its moments.

A couple of days ago, one old lady (she's turning 100 in a couple of days) started literally crying because she was so grateful for what we had been doing for her. She's almost blind, she can't stand, she's wheelchair bound. I mean, hearing them express their joy and love for our dedication to our job almost makes up for the diaper changing.

[skyz]

Want to be a geek? don't bother. The industry is full. You would be better of turning your attention to how best to use a computer as a tool (because that is all it is - it is not a mystical box to be worshipped)

But getting into the guts of a computer or fiddling with the OS? Those days are over. Make sure you know how to install a virus scanner, spyware scanner, and configure a local network (again trivial today), but don't bother going beyond that unless something really grabs your attention.

it helps if you know how to revive your computer from the blue screen of death

i just want to be able to work all my electronic toys ;)

the internet can work for you in amazing ways but only as well as you can master the skills specific to your wants :cool:

i hang out here hoping geekiness rubs off (and i like the people)

[skyz]

I know that this is totally of topic, but working at a home has its moments.

A couple of days ago, one old lady (she's turning 100 in a couple of days) started literally crying because she was so grateful for what we had been doing for her. She's almost blind, she can't stand, she's wheelchair bound. I mean, hearing them express their joy and love for our dedication to our job almost makes up for the diaper changing.

when you are sick or hurt you become very grateful that people want to be nurses and doctors

when you are really in need of critical aid they are there willing and able

[honey-bucket]

Also, ask your brother if you could hang with your brothers IT people, they're usually very friendly and gladly answer questions.

I've done that a few times, they not only answered me questions but continued talking and explaining things to the point where I had no idea what they were saying, but they were definitely helpful. Thanks much for the other advice.

I know a lot of male nurses =)

As far as learning MS office tools, all non-computer science majors at my college are required to take class which teaches those things. The woman who teaches the class was one of the people who got me interested, she tells stories about her work in computer forensics to keep things interesting between lessons.

Thanks for the advice

[ariastar]

You're 19. I started at 23. I'm an e-mail security analyst now, have been for over two years, and also have a (now defunct) tech start-up under my belt and another in planning for if I ever have the time needed. btw, I'm 27 now.

If you can, go take come courses at a local college, see if it interests you.

[ariastar]

I know that this is totally of topic, but working at a home has its moments.

A couple of days ago, one old lady (she's turning 100 in a couple of days) started literally crying because she was so grateful for what we had been doing for her. She's almost blind, she can't stand, she's wheelchair bound. I mean, hearing them express their joy and love for our dedication to our job almost makes up for the diaper changing.

It's Rev3. Things go on and off topic all the time.

Older people are just so grateful for even the littlest things. It's touching, really. My mom is a geriatrics nurse.

[ariastar]

I'm 18. studying to become a nurse (I'll probably study a couple of more year then go to medical school. Being a male nurse here is unfortunately demeaning)

I've spent years of my life accumulative in the hospital spread out over about ten years. I've had male and female nurses, and I've been bed-ridden and in the position of having to use bedpans and have others clean me. I've had female nurses as well as male nurses. The only nurses who were ever mean to me were female nurses. If I was told I could only have female nurses or only have male nurses, I'd probably opt for male. Yeah, they get a lot of shit for being men who nurse, but because they're there, it means they really want to be. They'll take the slack because they care enough about the patients.

Fuck anyone who would demean you for wanting to be a nurse. it's not an easy job, much, MUCH harder than being a doctor. In many ways, nurses double as doctors. Doctors make a diagnosis, the nurses take care of the patient and determine from then on what's needed and make minor diagnoses from that point on. It's a nurse who'll be more likely to hold your hand when you need one.

Go for nursing. Less glamorous, but more rewarding.

[ryudo]

I always had an interest for technology but for some reason never knew much about it just that I loved it when tech TV came around I still watched in interest but when it left my interest and willing to learn about it went on a temp hiatus then in 2006 I got a new PC and a friend showed me digg and twit and Dltv my interest and love came back and this time I took it seriously and now I have crammed and know a bit now and still learning and I am 25 so 19 being too late nah not at all. :D

[honey-bucket]

Thanks for the replies all. I really appreciate it, especially yours token even though it was kind of soul crushing =P It's important to put things in to perspective/look at the big picture. I'll check out any summer courses I could take, I don't know what though since the choices are so broad, something practical that builds on the basics I've already learned =)

[phatlip12]

As far as learning MS office tools, all non-computer science majors at my college are required to take class which teaches those things. The woman who teaches the class was one of the people who got me interested, she tells stories about her work in computer forensics to keep things interesting between lessons.

Thanks for the advice

My school requires a class like this as well. I didn't have to take it though as I got the credit in high school. If I were you I would focus on really knowing Office. It's going to come in handy regardless of what you decided to do, it will benefit your education and more then likely your job. I

Learning more about different things on the computer may lead you in the right path on what you want to do (whether it's technical or non technical). Through learning photoshop you may gain an interest in photography or graphic design. Do you like math? Consider taking a class in C/C++ programming. You may be surprised to find that you CAN do computer programming. Don't leave any options off the table.

I think Token gave the best advice though. Look at a computer as a tool, becoming familiar with it and learning more doesn't necessarily (or typically) lead to a technical job.

Good luck, and definitely feel free to ask any questions you have on technical things here on the forums. :)

[nextgenxbox]

Your college should offer computer classes. Intro to typing, Intro to Computers, Intro to Office, etc... a bunch of different ones. You should look into taking some of those.

[ariastar]

Thanks for the replies all. I really appreciate it, especially yours token even though it was kind of soul crushing =P It's important to put things in to perspective/look at the big picture. I'll check out any summer courses I could take, I don't know what though since the choices are so broad, something practical that builds on the basics I've already learned =)

I know he didn't mean to be soul-crushing. I don't know where you are, but I'm in the center of Silicon Valley. Apple's HQ is almost as close as the grocery store. Google is a stone's throw away. Driving by Yahoo's HQ brings feelings is anger at laying off over a thousand people in an already-tight market. It's not too late to learn, but, unless you've got something innovative, you'll be stuck competing with people with years more experience than you've got years to your life. Getting a job in tech is like winning the lottery these days. And, as if it's not tight enough, a LOT of outsourcing happens.

I am bored to death with my job and stay here because I know I was lucky to get it at all, it pays well enough to enable the bills to be paid, and finding another job has, well, I've been looking for a year and haven't landed a single interview. Cody's been up here two months and landed two. One was a series of phone interviews with Digg, the other with Apple, but it won't pay well. With so many people battling for so few jobs, companies can pay less. I've got several friends working at Google and none of them make over $4k per month despite having B.S.s or higher. I don't know how they make ends meet.

A job is unstable. Buy-outs happen left and right, often on very little notice. Then it's a wait, usually short, to know if you get walking papers and severance or are just SOL. If you're lucky, you get to stay on board. Yahoo's announcement about a potential buy-out and layoffs happened very, very quickly. A friend of mine was laid off when the projects he was heading off were all cut as part of the process. Using connections, he's had an interview with Apple. Now he's back to going to recruiting and job fairs to try to find something while his girlfriend is working to pay the bills and making up for the shortage from her salary with his severance. Nine out of the ten Amazon positions at a job fair the other night were for positions in Seattle. Know what? Bet you anything they found people who are willing to uproot and move a thousand miles away to have a job. It's flittered through my own head if it wouldn't be easier to just break the lease here and move.

If I have any say in the matter, and I know Cody is 100% in support of this, then, when he gets a job, if it pays the bills, I'm leaving tech and will work on other endeavors, such as getting my design business back off the ground and another start-up. But as for working in tech, it's a rat race. You get somewhere by going into business for yourself.

This isn't to say not to try, but look at the big picture realistically.

[tokenuser]

Thanks for the replies all. I really appreciate it, especially yours token even though it was kind of soul crushing =P It's important to put things in to perspective/look at the big picture. I'll check out any summer courses I could take, I don't know what though since the choices are so broad, something practical that builds on the basics I've already learned =)Sorry for the dose of realism. I work in tech. Have done for over 20 years now, and have seen the landscape change dramatically over that time.

When I was growing up, computers were not that common. Learning all you could and being the computer geek was a path to a great job. But times have changed, you grew up with computers. They are a commodity item. The interesting jobs are the more senior positions, and many of the into level jobs are in areas that are outsourced overseas now. Without an ability to get an entry level position, where do you go? How do you get into the industry? Answer - via a very VERY small number of positions that people (probably better qualified than you) are competing for.

To be honest, if I had a child looking at employment options, I would have them do a business degree and learn a trade ... because you can't outsource plumbers, electricians, and builders, and they can earn more per hour that a computer professional. Sure, know the latest tech for the industry, but realise that it is only a tool as part of much larger picture these days.

[skyz]

Your college should offer computer classes. Intro to typing, Intro to Computers, Intro to Office, etc... a bunch of different ones. You should look into taking some of those.

i took one of those intro to computers courses it was all about microsoft office my prof could not even help me find out why one file i had savd would not open even though another file saved at the same time would (it was a bad sector the computer lab fixed it) - i remeber he said to me once 'so if one day you work in an office' and i said 'i don 't have 250 college credits to work in an office [at least not as a word processor]) so i dropped the class and tested out of the requirement

what i wanted was expertise for the internet

i still want it

for me the computer is only important as the gateway to the internet

the computer is just a tool the internet however is much more especially to the creative minded

when i got my first computer i used to spend a lot of time late at night talking to microsoft

it worked then about 8 years ago because less was outsourced and it seemed everyone i spoke with was brilliant and they were very generous and patient

the more intersting computer courses are those in such things as animation

my first college major was architecture and my first courses were autocad

it is surprising how well architecture works as a prerequisite for music

and intersting that software designers are called architects

Architecture is "frozen music"… Really there is something in this; the tone of mind produced by architecture approaches the effect of music."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


but i already have too many undergraduate credits

[bani_banan]

I've spent years of my life accumulative in the hospital spread out over about ten years. I've had male and female nurses, and I've been bed-ridden and in the position of having to use bedpans and have others clean me. I've had female nurses as well as male nurses. The only nurses who were ever mean to me were female nurses. If I was told I could only have female nurses or only have male nurses, I'd probably opt for male. Yeah, they get a lot of shit for being men who nurse, but because they're there, it means they really want to be. They'll take the slack because they care enough about the patients.

Fuck anyone who would demean you for wanting to be a nurse. it's not an easy job, much, MUCH harder than being a doctor. In many ways, nurses double as doctors. Doctors make a diagnosis, the nurses take care of the patient and determine from then on what's needed and make minor diagnoses from that point on. It's a nurse who'll be more likely to hold your hand when you need one.

Go for nursing. Less glamorous, but more rewarding.

Thanks for the encouraging words. Not that many male nurses, but those who are, are damn fucking interested in their jobs.

That's true. Nurses spend more time with the patients, which makes it much more harder if something happens. It's much tougher to distant yourself if you're close to a patient.
Which is why being a doctor is "better". I'm also more interested in diagnostics, yet I want to get close to people.

Back on topic. I think he said that he didn't want to work with IT. Just basic trouble shooting. Which is a-ok.

[ariastar]

Sorry for the dose of realism. I work in tech. Have done for over 20 years now, and have seen the landscape change dramatically over that time.

When I was growing up, computers were not that common. Learning all you could and being the computer geek was a path to a great job. But times have changed, you grew up with computers. They are a commodity item. The interesting jobs are the more senior positions, and many of the into level jobs are in areas that are outsourced overseas now. Without an ability to get an entry level position, where do you go? How do you get into the industry? Answer - via a very VERY small number of positions that people (probably better qualified than you) are competing for.

To be honest, if I had a child looking at employment options, I would have them do a business degree and learn a trade ... because you can't outsource plumbers, electricians, and builders, and they can earn more per hour that a computer professional. Sure, know the latest tech for the industry, but realise that it is only a tool as part of much larger picture these days.

I don't think it could be put any better.

[heyseuss]

i just want to be able to work all my electronic toys ;)

i hang out here hoping geekiness rubs off (and i like the people)

Jokes about helping you operate your electronic toys and 'rubbing off' . . . . too many . . ... . head, exploding . . . .

[heyseuss]

My aunt has worked as an ER midwife (she got my cousin - from a different part of the family - interested in it as a specialty), is a home birthing coach/midwife (again - her ER background is crucial here), and is now working the opposite end of the spectrum running the palliative care unit in a hospice (making people more comfortable as they are dying).


I have one sister that does anything to do with hospices and cancer research and funding. (in fact, I got something in the mail on fri saying I had donated to a research foundation). I have another sister that was a reg nurse ( 3 yrs I believe Mash ), she met her husband nursing him, and is now a midwife and baby ICU nurse. She's delivered over 100 babies and even delivered her second kid herself. Speaking of my bro-in-law, he just had a 1.5 golfball sized brain tumour removed from his brain stem. He has walked since the op, so fingers crossed as the doctors told him if he lives through the procedure, he'll still be a vegetable.

[rabidbadger]

Oh dude. that is horendous! But glad he beat the odds. Wishing him speedy recovery.

[rabidbadger]

My mom was a nurse in a children's burn ward. Talk about an angel...

[bani_banan]

My mom was a nurse in a children's burn ward. Talk about an angel...

Damn dude. That's a place I wouldn't want to work at. I'm not that mentally suited!
Kudos for being one bad ass mom!

[techliveadmin]

Both my aunt and uncle are nurses, they work and live in Canada, but my aunt got injured in the hospital, they didn't relly take on her injury, it developed in to a court case, because due to the injury she sustained at the hospital she got FIRED, she sued now filthy rich.......

As for tech, I got into it at 12 years old, lost interest when TechTv went uder, revived my interest thanks to the internet....honestly I have never failed an Information Technology test in school, even thought I have NEVER studied for one, I just love tech. It's kool, fun and pretty mixed up. It has so many varius things you can choose to do on the pc. I agree with token, the pc is a tool, find your calling and let the pc do the rest for you. But to be honest I just love my pc because it gives me the opportunity of being on the internet 24/7.....

[heyseuss]

Oh dude. that is horendous! But glad he beat the odds. Wishing him speedy recovery.

It will be months before we know if he beat the odds. Walking around doesn't mean talking or hearing yet. Seeing as they gave him less than 50% chance to live, I guess I'm glad he beat those odds, but they've said it will be months to observe and see what the actual recovery outcome is. They've said there's no chance he'll be able to hear but we'll see, things like this aren't quite as predictable as a 24hr flu.


Fortunately, this bro-in-law, is married to the toughest, badassest sister I've got, she's somehow managing this, 2 kids with food diseases, full time midwife ICU premature babies nursing job, her own food disease, and running a national food disease association . . . . the helpline is connected to her home/cell. During all of this, she's like "all is well".

[rabidbadger]

Your sister kicks ass.

[heyseuss]

Your sister kicks ass.

She makes my other 5 degree having, 3 language speaking sister seem like a moron.

[skyz]

She makes my other 5 degree having, 3 language speaking sister seem like a moron.

heart-mind beats mind ;)

[heyseuss]

heart-mind beats mind ;)

One sister is having lunch with Terry Pratchett and William Gibson and publishing investigations into viking treks in correllation with the writings in The Voyage of St Brendan the Abbott, and the midwife sister is asking "how do I view this pic in email?", while acting like maintaining her and her kids food diseases, the association, the job, and her husbands condition are nothing. When she told me she delivered her son Jake, by herself, I was blown away, and she was like, "it's just science, I know what's going on, just set up a mirror for me and I'm ok".

[ariastar]

Speaking of my bro-in-law, he just had a 1.5 golfball sized brain tumour removed from his brain stem. He has walked since the op, so fingers crossed as the doctors told him if he lives through the procedure, he'll still be a vegetable.

Oh my god, he's had the op already? When?

[heyseuss]

Oh my god, he's had the op already? When?


Last week. He planned on coming to america and having it in l.a. at the House Ear Clinic, the b est place in the world to have this particular op, but the cost scared him and the fact that he would have to stay here for months to recover wasn't something he could face. At best, he will be lacking a few facilities, he'll be deaf for sure, if he makes it. he runs Australias largest temp agency, Manpower, and I don't know WTF he's going to do after this. This is the part that scares me the most, like I've said in this thread, my sis already has a full plate. I'm really worried about my 11yr old niece and 7 yrd old nephew.

[ariastar]

Both my aunt and uncle are nurses, they work and live in Canada, but my aunt got injured in the hospital, they didn't relly take on her injury, it developed in to a court case, because due to the injury she sustained at the hospital she got FIRED, she sued now filthy rich.......

An unfortunate thing. Happens all the god damned time here. Nurses work hard, are usually underpaid, and then get shit on when they're injured on the job.

All nurses should have medical benefits the very minute they start. They're around sick people day in, day out, and then have no way for a few months to see a doctor if they get sick from it.

[will_stutler]

So, right now I'm 19 and in my first year college with kick ass grades in general education requirements (English, history, etc) because I have no idea what I want to do with my life.

I'm scared as hell about finding a steady job, and I'm not really passionate about anything. Many people in my family work with computers, but over the years I have managed to pick up nothing from them, probably because when we were younger my brother and I shared a computer (shared is the wrong word) which resulted in me getting my ass kicked if I even questioned anything he did the the PC (I weep for his co-workers) so I just decided not to bother. I may know slightly more than the average laymen from being around them, but not much.

But I digress

So now I find myself at the glorious age of 19 in the "computers look neat, but I know so little about them" stage. There is so much knowledge to be learned in such a short amount of time to become actively passionate, or even make a career out of it. So my question is, can it be done? We've all seen the Nick Burns computer guy on SNL... It's a scary world.

I'm not bent on getting a tech job, just the knowledge would help in any situation really, I'm more interested in becoming passionate and knowledgeable about something.

If you have any experiences like this, advice, or links to worth-while information please share. =)



dude the way i have learned is breaking them then trying to fix them that way i learned what not to do....mostly i did it on my ols systems which i still have to this day....and you just got to ask questions as they come up

[esophagus]

When I was younger my parents had an internet cafe for a few years. It went under, as soon as the library and college started offering free internet, but it got me interested. I had ben interested on my own computer at home, but spending all of my time there after school got me really into it. That's my only real advice. Spend time with it. At this point, I can figure out about any program thrown at me, because I have the basics picked up from everything I've seen in the past.

I also took advantage of every computer course my high school had to offer. Everything from information processing, to visual communications. I took all three levels of each. I can only assume that these would be the "intro" programs that colleges offer. Very helpful. Personally, I coasted, as most of it was at or below the level I had picked up on my own. But, I had friends who took them and weren't exactly computer-savvy, who found them to be extremely helpful.

[ariastar]

Last week. He planned on coming to america and having it in l.a. at the House Ear Clinic, the b est place in the world to have this particular op, but the cost scared him and the fact that he would have to stay here for months to recover wasn't something he could face. At best, he will be lacking a few facilities, he'll be deaf for sure, if he makes it. he runs Australias largest temp agency, Manpower, and I don't know WTF he's going to do after this. This is the part that scares me the most, like I've said in this thread, my sis already has a full plate. I'm really worried about my 11yr old niece and 7 yrd old nephew.

If the far most likely scenario is death, and the best case scenario is a disabled life, I can't help but wonder why he went through it. The best-case scenario will cause an extreme mental and emotional taxation on his wife and children.

Before anyone asks how I can be so harsh, that I've never been in a position like that, I have, and my advanced directives (aka a living will) have plenty of DNR orders for quite a few situations as well as a DNO/R in case of an ostomy being required to save my life as I know the misery I'd be in would basically make like hell for my loved ones.

Regardless, it's a terrible position to be in.