[RodgerB]

Ok, well I'm pretty young, completing year 8 in high school, and I am considering a career pathway in computer programming. I do know how to make applications in most languages pretty well, and have found my problem solving is quite adequete (anyone that doesn't know google knows all is new to the internet).

The problem I am facing is, if I were say to do a career in Application Development, and I had just finished a computer science course, where would you sugggest I go immediantly after that. Mind you, in Australia you can't really just look in the jobs section of the newspaper and expect a job lying there, expecially in Programming, so I am interested as to where I would start.

Would I:

• Attempt to get a job to start out with.
  
• Start developing my own apps and start from there, regardless of the fact I don't and won't have much money.

After reading all the stories I have found on </DIC>, it would seem that Computer Science is almost a silly decision if everyone is going to be affected by offshoring and other things companies do to try and make their budgets look bigger.

Also, whats the conditions and pay like for a Game Programmer? I am kind of juggling between the two as I am much more interested in Game Design than I am with Application Development, but the only real skill I have with Game Programming is the actual programming, making sprites, modelling and graphics aren't quite my cup of tea.

Thanks .

[Amadeus]

If you have a good idea for an application, I'd suggest you have a go at writing it. This may entail bringing in others to do certain parts where your skill set may be lacking, or it may not. You may be able to do it all yourself. But if you have a good idea, go with it.

If you're interested in game programming, I'd follow that as well. The pay and conditions will depend on whom you work for and where you work.

The concept of offshoring affects many industries besides CS, so it's not simply a programming problem. You may have gleaned from other threads that while it is a concern, there are still plenty of jobs available for talented individuals. At the end of the day, drive and talent will be your indicators of success.

You can certainly look at the newspaper, but I'd suggest something a little more productive as well. Research the industry...find the main players in your area (or around the world), and familiarize yourself with their hiring conditions.

Lots of ways to go, but like anything, it will require that fortitude to follow something through to completion.

[RodgerB]

Thank you for your reply Amadeus, I appreciate your help.

[WolfCoder]

You can try a supplemental freelance job as a scratch-ware video game developer to see if you're cut out for it. Of course it's kind of biased suggestion since I love writing video games, but it's a fun challenge.

[awesty]

You could always look on http://www.gamasutra.com for game development jobs.

Also if you were to go into the game industry you only need one skill. Here is a video from EA that should help you out:
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=dBmiLQhT33A

[Pontus]

1: They have jobs at Crytek for the moment.
2: If u consider yourself young, then what am I?

[Amadeus]

Very young.

[PennyBoki]

manhaeve5, on 30 Oct, 2007 - 12:22 AM, said:

2: If u consider yourself young, then what am I?

hmm... younger?

[nirvanarupali]

Toddler.

[WolfCoder]

More youthful

This post has been edited by WolfCoder: 31 October 2007 - 09:43 AM

[Pontus]

PennyBoki, on 30 Oct, 2007 - 05:04 AM, said:

hmm... younger?

Touché

[WolfCoder]

manhaeve5, on 31 Oct, 2007 - 12:35 PM, said:

PennyBoki, on 30 Oct, 2007 - 05:04 AM, said:

hmm... younger?

Touché

more like pwnt.