just a student curious about computer pros....

so how do do you guys started? you started as a....? and what are
your tasks/responsibilities on that first job?

I got into computers in college. Though I had a Commodore 64 growing up, I was never interested too much in programming at the time. I just used it to play games.

In college I found I had a knack for using and troubleshooting computers. When I graduated I got a job selling computers but left when I realized I wasn't making any money on commission.

Not long after that I got a job at Gateway in their tech support area working in the tech lab. I was the final tech support level before it went to the engineers. I got the problems that weren't easily solved by the phone support people so I usually had to try and recreate the problem, or at least think about actual troubleshooting procedures rather than just reading from a checklist.

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Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

so that's the road you've been before you got up there... COOL...
I hope everyone else will share theirs too!
i'm just studying right now, but I'm already looking far what's ahead of me...

I have always been into computers, and always programmed. I went to university to do computer science, about a term before finishing I put my C.V. on a load of job sites. Straight away I was getting daily offers, found one I liked, went to an interview and got the job. I am now a Software Developer, doing mainly Java and Ruby and love what I am doing.

My advice, don't just concentrate on your degree, go out, socialise, do different things. I only got a 3rd, yet I got more offers then the people on my course who got 1st. I am a social person, who like to go out, I also have other hobbies apart from computer related ones. The whole industry has a large problem with lack of talented programmers who also have good communication skills, which is just as important in the real world. After joining my boss said one of the main reasons they employed me over some other people who had more professional experience, apart from my programming skills, was the fact I'd fit in with the team. Some of there worst code has come from old employees, who although some were good programmers, were the least social, and didn't communicate with the team, other departments and customers.

I concur w/ obduk. Personality goes a long way in business, especially for tech people nowadays. No longer can you get by on just your technical ability. You have be able to communicate with others, often outside of your normal peer groups.

I constantly read about how business people are making a big deal about how eloquent employees need to be. If you can't spell beyond an eighth grade level (for example), you're effectively worthless. You may know everything about programming but if you can't communicate your ideas to other people, they don't want you.

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Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

My carrier starts as a student.I constantly reading books and listening to current affairs build up my carriers.

Another point, practical experience.

There are many jobs out there that require a degree, and at least one years employment. There were many people on my course who got a 1st, but I would never employ them despite them being able to complete assignments because they had no practical skills.

My advice, don't aim to high for your first job, just get a job as soon as possible in roughly your field of interest, work for a year, then move job. I am lucky and got a job I liked, but if not I'd of worked anywhere doing programming to get that experience, then there is a much larger world available to you.

Don't forget that practical experience can come from places besides a "job". Volunteer work at a non-profit organization or hobby work for someone will give you relevant experience. Even if you don't get paid for it, you still learn something.

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Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

Mine started when I worked at a computer store in high school and has evolved (a lot) since then.

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