Re: Career Changer Needs Advice

Donald Harvey <dharvey_at_worldnet.att.net> wrote:

>Hi,
 

>My name is Don Harvey and I have worked in the environmental field
>(Consulting/Regulatory) for nearly 12 years. I have a BS in physics and
>advanced degrees in environmental engineering and hydrology. I now live
>in the Boston area.
 

>As I have enjoyed working with computers for the last 10 years and have
>done some programming (FORTRAN & BASIC) in the past and enjoyed it, I am
>considering a change to a career in programming. I have identified
>three possible paths via academic institutions teaching "Computer
>Certificate" programs.
 

>C/C++/Windows
 

>The first is C/C++/Windows Development(VC++ & MFC) offered by Boston
>University and Clark University. These are intensive, handson courses
>running 35-40 hours per week for 20 to 22 weeks. Cost: roughly $9K.
 

>C/C++/UNIX
 
>The second is a C/C++/UNIX course offered by Worcester Polytechnical
>Institute. Likewise, this is an intensive, hands-on course running 35-40
>hours per week for about 8 weeks. Cost $5.5K.
 

>Client/Server Application Development
 

>The third is Client/Server application development using Visual Basic,
>Oracle, SQL, Powerbuilder, and MS Access. This course is offered by both
>Boston University and Clark University. These also are intensive, hands
>on courses but only run 10 weeks. Cost roughly $4.5K.
 

>Ultimately I would like a solid background in programming for today's
>market as well as the next ten years or more. I would like to know
>C++/MFC to help with Windows program development but is it worth it to
>take the course now or is it likely that I can pick it up after getting a
>job in client/server application development? What would my job
>prospects be as someone coming from a technical field with considerable
>computer but limited programming experience?
 

>I do not know if this is the proper USENET group to ask such questions.
>If this is the case, please let me know if there are others or if there
>is a better one.
 

>Thanking you in advance. Your prompt responses will be appreciated.
 

>Don Harvey
>dharvey_at_worldnet.att.net

Don - I'd choose the C++/Windows route because your depth of knowledge will be far greater. Let me temper that, however, with some facts. Our company places consultants and for the most part our C/C++ programmers are on the bench (unemployed) more often than our Access, VB, and PowerBuilder developers. Go figure. It seems that clients want results fast, and development time in C/C++ can be sobering. The good news is that if you become proficient with C++, it won't take too long to get up to speed with the latest Microsoft nightmare that comes along.

Good luck.

Randy
rburriss_at_execpc.com Received on Tue Jul 16 1996 - 00:00:00 CEST