I'm currently studying for a programming technician degree and I'm starting to feel uncertain about my career direction. In the beginning, I enjoyed learning C++ and got into concepts like object-oriented programming and low-level programming, but now as we dive into languages like C#, .NET, and SQL, particularly working with WinForms and databases, I find it a bit dull. I have a couple of questions: 1. What kind of job profile can I expect after graduation? What are the salary expectations and what should I showcase on my GitHub portfolio? 2. If I want to focus on low-level programming, what degree should I consider pursuing?
4 Answers
To answer your questions: 1) You'll need to consider the job market in your area to get a clearer picture of expected salaries. For your GitHub portfolio, focus on projects that showcase your skills, especially those relevant to the industry you're targeting. 2) If low-level development is your goal, you should definitely look into a degree in computer engineering as it offers the right mix of software and hardware knowledge.
Salary expectations really vary depending on where you live. For example, you can earn much more in places like California compared to Colorado. Junior software engineering positions can also be tricky to land without some experience. It's important to figure out the specific areas of programming that truly interest you. What do you mean by 'low-level'? For some people, just connecting to a database can feel low-level, while others consider firmware development as the real deal.
If you're interested in low-level development, consider looking into either an electrical engineering or computer engineering degree. These fields are closely related to computing and often cover more hands-on aspects like designing processors, rather than just software development. This could give you a better perspective on low-level programming.
Sometimes the more boring jobs end up being the higher-paying ones. Just a thought!
Thanks for the insights! I'm from Argentina and am considering remote work options, so understanding regional salary norms is super helpful.