School, Work, & Life - What would you do?

[n12]

So, I'm 23 years old and did awful in high school, etc. I graduated from high school and didn't go back to school until this past year. I am somewhat well off, in the way that my parents will pay for anything and take care of me basically forever, but I really want to "make it" myself and I am very very dedicated to anything I do.

I started going to a community college for IT/IS related stuff (6 classes a semester & working doing IT contracting on the side.... Mostly networking, CS, web development courses) to see what I liked and did really well, but I am thinking about switching to either something medical, engineering, or "law" related.

The problem is, I sort of just like can't have a "normal" job. I am weird in the way that I LOVE immersing myself in an environment and just doing something ALL day. I actually LIKE sitting at the computer all day just creating a Web site or writing code. I love the concept of computer science and programming, but I feel like I'm sort of too old for it at this point. Whenever I hear people talking about their experience coding, it's always like, "oh yeah I started programming when I was 11". This is very intimidating as I don't even have much of the basic mathematics down, let alone being familiar with multiple programming languages.

Basically, I really want to go into something that is in "decent" demand (if you want something enough, this shouldn't really matter), pays very very well, and has a great entrepreneurial potential side to it. It may sound odd that I'm this open to this many career paths, but I'm really interested in all of these fields and love watching lectures on all different things.

I don't mind how long school would take, even if I didn't "graduate" until I was ~30, it doesn't matter.

What career paths would you guys choose if you were in my position right now? Any experience you guys could share would be great!

Thanks

[slueth]

I don't get the question... Are you asking me to decide your future for you?  Also you don't need to start when your 11 years old coding to make a career out of it, that's what school is for.(though you can learn to code without going to school).  You said you were leaning towards "something medical, engineering, or "law" related" Why?  There is computer engineering which combines computer sciences with hardware.
I say do whatever you enjoy because you don't want to spend the rest of your life wishing you had a different degree or different occupation because your job sucks.

[n12]

I don't get the question... Are you asking me to decide your future for you?  Also you don't need to start when your 11 years old coding to make a career out of it, that's what school is for.(though you can learn to code without going to school).  You said you were leaning towards "something medical, engineering, or "law" related" Why?

The question is, for people in related fields or familiar fields, what do you think of the field?

And as for your second/third points; I would be learning programming myself on my own time, no matter what I do. That's one of the reasons I want to go in an "alternative" engineering field instead of just the typical computer science/electrical engineering.

I am not asking people to decide my future, I'm asking for feedback.

[keyboardlover]

I didn't know I wanted to be a professional developer until I was 23 (exactly your age).
I've been doing it for 5 years since and I love it. In fact, they made me a tech lead this year.

IMO, getting actual working experience helps a lot (the internship I did after college sealed the deal for me).

BTW, with programming the recommended thing is to start by learning one language (that's in high demand) well first. Beyond that, you'll find other languages much easier to learn.

Also, if I were you, I would probably study a field like biomedical engineering. Then you could work as a medical devices engineer (or something similar) and even a basic knowledge of programming would help you with any programming-related components of that job. It's considered to be a very up-and-coming and exciting field.

[Findecanor]

Whenever I hear people talking about their experience coding, it's always like, "oh yeah I started programming when I was 11". This is very intimidating as I don't even have much of the basic mathematics down, let alone being familiar with multiple programming languages.

I work now as a programmer. When I went to college to study CS, there were people older than 23 that did not have that much experience in programming or math beforehand, but did great and now have good careers. There is not that much math involved in working as a programmer -- there is more logic, procedure, testing and coordinating with other people. Social skills are more important than being able to solve differential equations in your head.

Just don't take a "pause" from college to do something else, and don't be over 30 when you graduate ...
Recruiters will pass you over if they see you as a lazy or messy person.

[panda-R]

I don't know why everyone likes to follow trends and fads set out by all the fanboys and bandwagon jumpers in this world. Seriously, if you want to do something with your life then figure out what you like to do and not base your life around what is the cool thing to do, that is unless that is your true calling in life is to do what is the cool thing. You'll find that dedication and hard work will lead you down a road with limitless possibilities.

btw, what have you been doing since you graduated HS? Playing SC2 everyday?

[n12]

I don't know why everyone likes to follow trends and fads set out by all the fanboys and bandwagon jumpers in this world. Seriously, if you want to do something with your life then figure out what you like to do and not base your life around what is the cool thing to do, that is unless that is your true calling in life is to do what is the cool thing. You'll find that dedication and hard work will lead you down a road with limitless possibilities.

btw, what have you been doing since you graduated HS? Playing SC2 everyday?

Hmmm, where did I follow a trend or bandwagon jump?

I'm trying to get some non-internet-douche-bag-responses, so please leave the personal attacks out of this thread.

[suntorytime]

Do not, DO NOT, get into law unless you can handle strict time limits, clients who are over their heads, bosses who only care about billable hours. Also forget your ideals, law is business and business is money.

If you can get over the negatives, it's a fulfilling career choice. But I would never recommend it lightly. I'm a young lawyer, and have already seen a few University colleagues have extreme breakdowns or turn to substance abuse.

[panda-R]

WOAH relax, i'm panda and i'm entitled to being a dbag. Except you took my non-dbag response as being a dbag response. My response still stands as it is, maybe you should read it with a happier frame of mind then u can get a sense of what i'm trying to convey to you.

I'm just telling you, figure out what you want to do and don't be persuaded by demand. Money doesn't solve the emptiness you will feel when working a ****ty job just so you can spend your fortune playing SC2. I know this from first hand experience, I gave up a life full of sports cars, women, drugs, rock and roll and became a monk and I'm happier than ever.

You wanted opinions so you got one, from a panda.

[n12]

WOAH relax, i'm panda and i'm entitled to being a dbag. Except you took my non-dbag response as being a dbag response. My response still stands as it is, maybe you should read it with a happier frame of mind then u can get a sense of what i'm trying to convey to you.

I'm just telling you, figure out what you want to do and don't be persuaded by demand. Money doesn't solve the emptiness you will feel when working a ****ty job just so you can spend your fortune playing SC2. I know this from first hand experience, I gave up a life full of sports cars, women, drugs, rock and roll and became a monk and I'm happier than ever.

You wanted opinions so you got one, from a panda.

My response was a little harsh, but I basically said the exact same thing you said about doing what you want instead of being convinced by demand in my OP

Thank you all for the insightful responses, I am happy to have a place that I can ask these questions.

[Lpb45]

From your description you say you are "well off" why not just find what makes you happy and do that, if its coding/programming do that and stop caring what other people are going to think of you, if you work hard enough at it and really want to succeed more then likely you will.  Even if you fail it seems like you have something to fall back on IE : your folks, and theres nothing wrong with that as we all all have setbacks just get back up brush yourself off and get back to it.

[iMav]

The one thing about taking your time if you plan to work for someone else is that you pretty much always start at the ground floor.  College schooling is nice (and an absolute requirement for some of those options), but it doesn't substitute for experience. It may get you in the door, but you'll definitely need to put the time in and earn your stripes.

My current position took 15-20 years of foundation experience to qualify me.  Inside and outside plant cabling, desktop support and helpdesk work, network administration, unix admin, firewall guy, IT security management, etc, etc.  All necessary to give me the well rounded experience needed to do my current job well.

Sounds to me like you would not be satisfied putting in the work and building towards a long term goal (maybe I'm wrong).

If you have the luxury of a silver spoon, figure out what excited you and try to build a business plan around it and  work for yourself!

[keyboardlover]

If you have the luxury of a silver spoon, buy me a realforce and ill give you the best advice ever!!

[drsauced]

I like Panda's response, perhaps it is time to let go of the spoon and take a step.  This is, I think, what you'd really like to do, and perhaps it's not so important which direction you are heading.

Now then, discount the age thing and dive into the developer world.  This is my recommendation.  I quit a promising career in CS to do... music.  Well, I still do music, but I returned to CS/IT.  There are ample jobs, at least here in California, so I don't think that will be much of a problem.  But, like many have already posted, there will will be dbags wherever you go.  You don't have to be one of them, but you might have to work a **** job or two with a few of them to get the stripes.

Edit: but don't worry about the future, really, it's imaginary anyway.  If you just need a push, there is it.  GOGOGOGO!

[n12]

Sounds to me like you would not be satisfied putting in the work and building towards a long term goal (maybe I'm wrong).

 
It's more like the exact opposite of that. I AM willing to work my ass off... Idk how you got that from anything I said!

[n12]

K thanks for the help, I have decided on what I'll do :]


Appreciate all the feedback, positive & negative.