Question about programming jobs.

[Javier]

Hello

I do not know if this question might sound out of place here but I
really need help and I think in here I can
find answers to my situation.I am doing an associate degree in
programming, and my question is if is enough to find a job in the IT
field with this qualification, or if I would be better off doing a
bachelor in computer sciences, because each time I do a job search I
almost always find that the requirement is a bachelor degree, and
knowledge in different programming languages,and: html, css,xlm, linux,
etc. Do you think I am right when I think that it is better to finish
the associate degree and know how to work with different programming
languages, etc, or to do a bachelor where I would have a higher degree
but not enough knowledge about programming, also I would like to know
if is true that the programming field is poor in the US due to
outsourcing, and that is not a very good option as a career( some
people have said that to me, and also let me specify this people are
not int the IT field so I am not sure if I should trust their opinions)
I do not know anybody in the field, so I would really appreciate your
opinions, I am really going crazy here being not sure which path to
take.

Thank you in advance.
Javier

 

[Adam Maass]

Hello

I do not know if this question might sound out of place here but I
really need help and I think in here I can
find answers to my situation.I am doing an associate degree in
programming, and my question is if is enough to find a job in the IT
field with this qualification, or if I would be better off doing a
bachelor in computer sciences, because each time I do a job search I
almost always find that the requirement is a bachelor degree, and
knowledge in different programming languages,and: html, css,xlm, linux,
etc. Do you think I am right when I think that it is better to finish
the associate degree and know how to work with different programming
languages, etc, or to do a bachelor where I would have a higher degree
but not enough knowledge about programming, also I would like to know
if is true that the programming field is poor in the US due to
outsourcing, and that is not a very good option as a career( some
people have said that to me, and also let me specify this people are
not int the IT field so I am not sure if I should trust their opinions)
I do not know anybody in the field, so I would really appreciate your
opinions, I am really going crazy here being not sure which path to
take.

IMHO, take the bachelor's path.

The days of the simple programmer -- getting by on a programming language or
two -- aren't exactly over, but fading in the United States. Better to have
some Software Engineering skills, and knowledge of how to work with remote
teams. The particular skills aren't as important as the knowledge of how to
get a running system that meets requirements on time and under budget.

India isn't as inexpensive as it once was, but it well esconced in the
industry, and won't be going away for a good long time, if ever.

-- Adam Maass

 

[richardsosborn]

IMHO, take the bachelor's path.

The days of the simple programmer -- getting by on a programming language or
two -- aren't exactly over, but fading in the United States. Better to have
some Software Engineering skills, and knowledge of how to work with remote
teams. The particular skills aren't as important as the knowledge of how to
get a running system that meets requirements on time and under budget.

India isn't as inexpensive as it once was, but it well esconced in the
industry, and won't be going away for a good long time, if ever.

-- Adam Maass

The U.S. department of labor has good data on this. The "software
engineer"
has a bright future in the U.S. There are many openings and its one of
the
highest rated jobs in the next ten years. "Computer programmers" have
one of the least bright outlooks. They are set in the bottom tier of
future potential.

The difference is that a software engineer interacts with people,
translates requirements into code and has the skills to bring a project
to completion. A programmer sits in a cube and
writes code from provided specifications. There are statistics and
education suggestions for each.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos267.htm
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos110.htm

 

[Taria]

All in all, I'd say the bachelor's degree is the way to go, at least.
The job market is far too competitive with ppl with degrees of all
types out there.

As far as 'computer programmer' goes, that's true, it's the lowest
level of entry in the programming market but it's the common way most
ppl start their computer career right out of college. The really
bright ones move on to software engineering or consultants, what have
you. This is true for any industry you choose, generally speaking that
is.

Go for the gold! Get a bachelors, the extra 2 years is worth the
investment. (and if you can muster a masters, it doesn't hurt.)