Cobol - life after college

Author

life after college

kev

2004-11-16, 6:44 pm

I have about 5 years of COBOL experience befor i went back to college
to get my degree. Now I am almost finished, and am wondering what to
expect when I come out of school. I have C++, and php and vb, but
what does this really mean for me? Where will I end up and what will
I most likely be working with? Please, be easy on me..... just
curious to know what is going on now out in the real world.

Frank Swarbrick

2004-11-16, 6:44 pm

I've never heard this answer before, but I have to say it's a good one. I
worked at a bank as a banker (teller, customer service, etc.) for five years
before moving into IT. Those five years have given me a huge advantage when
I did make the move. I even got to implement a few projects that I would
have loved to have utlized when I worked at the bank.

Still, I didn't actually do it "intentionally". I simply did not have a
degree (in C.S. or anything else) so working at a bank was just something I
fell into. Anyway, even though it's worthwhile I just have a hard time
believing that someone will come out of college with a C.S. degree and then
try to find a job in another field, just for the user experience...

---
Frank Swarbrick
Senior Developer/Analyst - Mainframe Applications
FirstBank Data Corporation - Lakewood, CO USA

"kev" <gsavage0@frostburg.edu> wrote in message
news:4251fe46.0411051503.5f47273b@posting.google.com...[color=darkred]
> ..wondering what to expect when I come out of school. Please, be easy on
me..... just
> curious to know what is going on now out in the real world.

Oh, that's easy. Unlike college, in Real Life all questions are "story
problems" and the answers cannot be found in Appendix B.

Oh, you were serious?

Well, I've given the same advice to persons in your situation for a number
of years. If you really want a career as a software developer, the most
important thing to learn is what it's like to be a user in your chosen
industry.

So, if you can find a job which will let you spend some time on the sales
desk, shop floor or loading dock or in the accounting office or better
still
a bit of time in more than one of those positions BEFORE you move into
"information technology" you will both be a far more valuable employee in
the long run and enjoy software development more when you get there.

There's something about an end-user giving you an honest 'thank you, it's
just what I needed' which makes the crummy days worth it all. And there is
no way you can get that 'thank you' unless you really, really understand
that user's needs. Best way to understand users? Be one!

That said, these kinds of positions are rare, and you will have to sell
prospective employers on the concept. Many (too many!) firms
institutionally do not possess the ability to see beyond next w

, and
therefore miss out on the chance to earn a big return on their investment
in
an employee.

MCM

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