Tech Jobs For a Student?

Nick Manley writes "I turned 17 back in August and have been fascinated with technology my entire life. I have a special interest in software and computer programming. I am really hoping to find a job, or at least an internship, where I can learn more about my field and expand my knowledge of software development. Does anyone have recommendations for someone like myself, without any college education, for ways to get a head start on my career? Preferably, one that doesn't include selling iPods to kids at Best Buy."

Comments

Avoid college like the plague

[MoneyT]

These days, you'll hear all about how college will get you better pay and better jobs, but that's only true in the long run and only true once you've got the degree. The problem is, most 4 year degrees now take 5 or 6 years and tuition and costs in general keep going up, not down. Go out and get yourself a job that you enjoy doing and that has some relevance to what you want to do. Then use the time you take at the job to learn the most vital things you need to know BEFORE you get to college: 1) What exactly you want to do and 2) Time management. Without either of those two in place BEFORE college, you will just waste your money. College will very easily put you and your family into debts that can easily be avoided by buttoning down and getting yourself a real job in the first place. Most companies these days will offer tuition assistance for most college or professional development and with a steady job and income, you can build up work experience while finding your place in life. And if you're working and going to school, not only will you have less debt when you get out, but you'll have a leg up on other grads because not only will you have work experience, you will have a job that you're already established in.

I'm not saying don't go to school and don't get an education, I'm saying put it off until you know what you want to be educated about. The first two years are like highschool anyway except you pay for it and the teachers are a lot worse. And worst of all, as more graduates are finding out, today's BA is yesterdays highschool diploma. You need a masters to get anywhere good these days.

That isn't to say all of college is bad. I will be the first to admit that college was some of the best part of my life, but everything that was good was everything OUTSIDE the education. All the life experiences I got in college I could have done without racking up over $30,000 in personal debt. 2 years of real working did far more for me than 4 years of college ever did in terms of my professional development, and I got the job without the degree.