Something high schoolers should be aware of

[Chankama]

Wouldn't Nvidia be more related to hardware engineering.. ?

You can do whatever at nvidia .. h/w, s/w, testing or whatever!.. Much like any company I guess. They pay pretty well. One of my friends did an internship as a software engineer (coop) during one semester.. I think he made about $30K US (in 4 months).. Which includes housing costs and such also.. But still, not bad ..

 

[PP Mguire]

soo i think maybe i DO wanna work for Nvidia now. I always have though, been something ive always wanted to do.

 

[Harper]

I can pretty much say the same for the Computer Hardware and Software support roles. If all you know is how to fix computer and sort out problems with Windows, then you are going to be finding yourself in a VERY COMPETIVE and FLOODED Market.
Where is 1999, I used to charge AU$50 per hour in office for computer repair. I now am competeting with people that are about to as low as AU$30 per hour onsite. Lowest I will ever go is $60 if it's a quiet period (like christmas or easter)

And the other problem with programing and support roles for the bigger companies are getting out sourced to places like India because it's cheaper out there. Same things like Web page publishing. If I am not competting with some one that values there time less than me, I am competing with the off shore job market that can do it cheaper.

I find that they only way to really excel in IT. Make sure you have makes you stand out from the rest. This might mean that you have to do a little more research and study. But it gives you a competative edge.
Eg. Like I specialise in Point Of Sales Hardware and Software. It's a rather demanding job. But atleast I got clients that will pay up to $120+GST per hour for my time.

Over all, if you can avoid getting yourself into IT, the better.

 

[PP Mguire]

mone is money, as long as you get it before somebody else does.

 

[Harper]

mone is money, as long as you get it before somebody else does.

Well the problem is this.... my normal call out is AU$80 per hour, now if I lower my prices to AU$40 per hour, it means that i have to work twice as hard to get the same amount.

Same goes with undercutting competition on computer hardware. There is only so far I can going to go. Anything lower, and it's not even worth my while.

 

[PP Mguire]

true.

 

[Apokalipse]

the best money you make is money you don't have to work for.

 

[Belle1479]

Heck, I am almost 32 years old and I STILL don't know what I want. It doesn't help living in such a unpopulated place. Puts a lot of limitations on things. I only have like one year of college behind me, but not in the computer field. I have a Kinesiology major, and so far have a 3.31 GPA. Another factor in finding a good job is all in who you know as well.

 

[DJ-CHRIS]

PP wants to work for nvidia


I am thinking about working for ATI, seriously

 

[Chankama]

ATI is a good place to work too.. .. A lot of US companies pay well.. But none can beat Microsoft when compensating students!..

So I take it you guys (PP and Chris) wants to get into h/w design?..

Anyways, don't underestimate internships and coop programs.. In this age of computers, they are a must.. I know a couple guys who've graduated (BASc) without doing any internships.. They are gonna have a tough time findings jobs....

Saying I "built" computers (in your basement) is not enough when applying for a full-time job.. Unless all you want to do is work as a PC assembler. When people look at resumes, they are looking for something to catch their eyes.. When you get hundreds of papers to go through for every job, you'll spend maybe like 10 sec on each resume just scanning through - unless something catches your eye.