8 answers
3
Questions
Asked
308 views
Hello! My name is Ryan and I am a current high school student. I'm conducting an interview with any professional in computer and information technology field for a Foundations in Health Science Class project about careers! I have created a total of 13 questions. Comment on this post, answering all 13 questions to be apart of my assignment.
What profession did you choose?
Why?
How many years of college did you
need to go through?
What jobs did you work before you
landed your present professional
job?
How can I decide if I should earn a
Ph.D. in this field?
Were you in a college program?
Did you have to pivot and go back to
school at a later date?
Login to comment
8 answers
Updated
Kelsey’s Answer
What profession did you choose?
-Software Engineering
Why?
-It didn't require a college degree, it pays well, and I enjoy it
How many years of college did you need to go through?
-I went through a 6 month coding bootcamp
What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
I'm on my fifth coding job, but before this I got a degree in Respiratory Therapy. That was a 2 year degree from community college and I worked in the ICU at a children's hospital.
How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
-It changes too fast to really get a Ph.D. in what I do, but if you want to pursue formal education that's up to you! I personally don't think it will impact your financial status but there are plenty of other reasons to get a Ph.D.
Were you in a college program?
No
Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
Yes, I did healthcare related stuff for 5 years until I decided I was sick of it and I went to coding BootCamp :)
-Software Engineering
Why?
-It didn't require a college degree, it pays well, and I enjoy it
How many years of college did you need to go through?
-I went through a 6 month coding bootcamp
What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
I'm on my fifth coding job, but before this I got a degree in Respiratory Therapy. That was a 2 year degree from community college and I worked in the ICU at a children's hospital.
How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
-It changes too fast to really get a Ph.D. in what I do, but if you want to pursue formal education that's up to you! I personally don't think it will impact your financial status but there are plenty of other reasons to get a Ph.D.
Were you in a college program?
No
Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
Yes, I did healthcare related stuff for 5 years until I decided I was sick of it and I went to coding BootCamp :)
Updated
James’s Answer
What profession did you choose? Information Technology
Why? Computers make sense to me and I like helping them make sense for others.
How many years of college did you need to go through? 4 years, 2 at community college and 2 at university
What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job? 3 full time jobs and a year as a contractor
How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field? A Ph. D. is only useful if you have a very specific field you are trying to get in to that requires one or if you are going to stay in academia. Most companies want at least a bachelors and proof you know what you are doing.
Were you in a college program? Yes, undergraduate for computer science
Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date? I tried to go to college right after high school but that didn't go well. After a few years in the work force I started school again and got my degree.
Why? Computers make sense to me and I like helping them make sense for others.
How many years of college did you need to go through? 4 years, 2 at community college and 2 at university
What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job? 3 full time jobs and a year as a contractor
How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field? A Ph. D. is only useful if you have a very specific field you are trying to get in to that requires one or if you are going to stay in academia. Most companies want at least a bachelors and proof you know what you are doing.
Were you in a college program? Yes, undergraduate for computer science
Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date? I tried to go to college right after high school but that didn't go well. After a few years in the work force I started school again and got my degree.
Updated
Kiannah’s Answer
What profession did you choose? Information Technology Consultant
Why? When I left school I did an Internship with a Tech Company and I really enjoyed it, this lead me to secure a Degree Apprenticeship in a Global Tech Consulting Company.
How many years of college did you
need to go through? None! The Degree Apprenticeship is UK Based and I work at IBM 4 days a week, and spend 1 day a week working towards my degree in Digital and Technology Solutions.
What jobs did you work before you
landed your present professional
job? I had only ever worked in retail/hospitality, and then I secured my internship which lead me to securing my Degree Apprenticeship.
How can I decide if I should earn a
Ph.D. in this field? I would think about whether you have something you wish to contribute in terms of research, or perhaps something you're intrigued by yourself, enough to spend years researching it! If you are, I think a Ph.D is great, however you definitely do not need one!
Were you in a college program? Nope
Did you have to pivot and go back to
school at a later date? As of yet no, although as I am still currently completing my BSc in Digital and Technology Solutions I may still change my mind, I definitely think I would love to potentially do a Masters or even a Ph.D myself one day!
Why? When I left school I did an Internship with a Tech Company and I really enjoyed it, this lead me to secure a Degree Apprenticeship in a Global Tech Consulting Company.
How many years of college did you
need to go through? None! The Degree Apprenticeship is UK Based and I work at IBM 4 days a week, and spend 1 day a week working towards my degree in Digital and Technology Solutions.
What jobs did you work before you
landed your present professional
job? I had only ever worked in retail/hospitality, and then I secured my internship which lead me to securing my Degree Apprenticeship.
How can I decide if I should earn a
Ph.D. in this field? I would think about whether you have something you wish to contribute in terms of research, or perhaps something you're intrigued by yourself, enough to spend years researching it! If you are, I think a Ph.D is great, however you definitely do not need one!
Were you in a college program? Nope
Did you have to pivot and go back to
school at a later date? As of yet no, although as I am still currently completing my BSc in Digital and Technology Solutions I may still change my mind, I definitely think I would love to potentially do a Masters or even a Ph.D myself one day!
Updated
Greg’s Answer
Hello Ryan,
Regrettably, I can only see a few of the 13 questions you mentioned.
What profession did you choose? Software Consultant.
Why? I started a new family and had the chance to work from home permanently. That was 28 years ago.
How many years of college did you need to go through? I was unsure about my major in college, so I took various courses in engineering, physics, circuits, math, economics, and accounting. Eventually, I chose Applied Mathematics but later switched to Computer Science. I graduated in 5 years with a degree in Computer Science, having completed all computer-related courses UC Davis offered at the time.
After working for 9 months, I pursued my MBA in Finance through night school, which took 7 years to complete. My employer paid for my education, so in total, I spent 14 years in school (including some junior college classes after my bachelor's degree and before starting my MBA).
What jobs did you work before your current professional job? Interestingly, I was a self-employed gardener from middle school until my junior year of college. During college, I worked in campus mail delivery, fundraising, and computer hardware. I had the unique opportunity to work with the people who architected the Crocker Nuclear Lab before my arrival.
My first job after college was working in business intelligence for PG&E as a regulatory analyst. I worked for the company about 6 years and maintained and developed models related depreciation and asset mortality. My last year there I branched out and wrote legal testimony. As I said, I am a wanderer. I have had two jobs after PG&E. Both were consulting related. The first company I was with 17 years. They offered boutique, high end, business intelligence services to companies like Clorox and Wells Fargo Bank, but they also help software vendors make enhancements to the "next" product offering to companies like Oracle and Microsoft. For the past 10 years, I have worked for Armanino LLP. They are an accounting firm, but we have a large technology consulting presence across the US where I manage the custom business intelligence practice. My team specializes in ad-hoc / each gig being new and different type of consulting.
.
How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
A Ph.D. might help increase your income slightly. Many developers I worked with at Microsoft had Ph.D.s, but it's not generally critical outside the software development space.
Were you in a college program? Yes, as described above.
Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date? I wanted to go to Law School, but I couldn't read until about age 28 (when I completed my MBA) due to an undiagnosed vision problem. By then, I had a family and didn't want to be in school anymore. Additionally, I was burned out from struggling to read. Law school might have been a good choice, though.
Regrettably, I can only see a few of the 13 questions you mentioned.
What profession did you choose? Software Consultant.
Why? I started a new family and had the chance to work from home permanently. That was 28 years ago.
How many years of college did you need to go through? I was unsure about my major in college, so I took various courses in engineering, physics, circuits, math, economics, and accounting. Eventually, I chose Applied Mathematics but later switched to Computer Science. I graduated in 5 years with a degree in Computer Science, having completed all computer-related courses UC Davis offered at the time.
After working for 9 months, I pursued my MBA in Finance through night school, which took 7 years to complete. My employer paid for my education, so in total, I spent 14 years in school (including some junior college classes after my bachelor's degree and before starting my MBA).
What jobs did you work before your current professional job? Interestingly, I was a self-employed gardener from middle school until my junior year of college. During college, I worked in campus mail delivery, fundraising, and computer hardware. I had the unique opportunity to work with the people who architected the Crocker Nuclear Lab before my arrival.
My first job after college was working in business intelligence for PG&E as a regulatory analyst. I worked for the company about 6 years and maintained and developed models related depreciation and asset mortality. My last year there I branched out and wrote legal testimony. As I said, I am a wanderer. I have had two jobs after PG&E. Both were consulting related. The first company I was with 17 years. They offered boutique, high end, business intelligence services to companies like Clorox and Wells Fargo Bank, but they also help software vendors make enhancements to the "next" product offering to companies like Oracle and Microsoft. For the past 10 years, I have worked for Armanino LLP. They are an accounting firm, but we have a large technology consulting presence across the US where I manage the custom business intelligence practice. My team specializes in ad-hoc / each gig being new and different type of consulting.
.
How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
A Ph.D. might help increase your income slightly. Many developers I worked with at Microsoft had Ph.D.s, but it's not generally critical outside the software development space.
Were you in a college program? Yes, as described above.
Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date? I wanted to go to Law School, but I couldn't read until about age 28 (when I completed my MBA) due to an undiagnosed vision problem. By then, I had a family and didn't want to be in school anymore. Additionally, I was burned out from struggling to read. Law school might have been a good choice, though.
Updated
Taryn’s Answer
What profession did you choose?
-I chose Computer Science (Ethical Hacking) in college, but joined IBM as a technical consultant and have since moved over to Program Management
Why?
-I chose computer science because my younger cousins friend had just got a computer science job making 70,000 dollars a year and I thought I wanted to do that too. Hacking was cool so I thought that would be the job I would love to do.
How many years of college did you need to go through?
-2 for an associate degree, but I only completed 1 year and didn't get my degree
What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
-I worked as a food stamp case worker for the state, daycare employee, Substitute TA in a vet tech class and Taco Bell
How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
-You can, but I have come to learn that if without any degree I can make 130,000, a Ph.D. is cool to have but not needed. Personally I know people with one who have a ton of debt and make the same salary I do, so I figured I would rather skip the debt.
Were you in a college program?
-Yes I went to a local tech school for computer science
Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
-With technology forever changing, I highly recommend getting certs to stay relevant. Those can be taken after studying from home, or after taking a cert class at a college.
(I only see 7 questions, however, the post said there were 13?)
-I chose Computer Science (Ethical Hacking) in college, but joined IBM as a technical consultant and have since moved over to Program Management
Why?
-I chose computer science because my younger cousins friend had just got a computer science job making 70,000 dollars a year and I thought I wanted to do that too. Hacking was cool so I thought that would be the job I would love to do.
How many years of college did you need to go through?
-2 for an associate degree, but I only completed 1 year and didn't get my degree
What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
-I worked as a food stamp case worker for the state, daycare employee, Substitute TA in a vet tech class and Taco Bell
How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
-You can, but I have come to learn that if without any degree I can make 130,000, a Ph.D. is cool to have but not needed. Personally I know people with one who have a ton of debt and make the same salary I do, so I figured I would rather skip the debt.
Were you in a college program?
-Yes I went to a local tech school for computer science
Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
-With technology forever changing, I highly recommend getting certs to stay relevant. Those can be taken after studying from home, or after taking a cert class at a college.
(I only see 7 questions, however, the post said there were 13?)
Updated
Bria’s Answer
What profession did you choose?
Microsoft Dynamics Package Consultant
Why?
I wanted to go into nursing. I later changed my mind because I understood the hardships that would come with that profession. Once in college I studied Computer Science. I was always fascinated in how things worked and grew up as the “IT Person” in my house.
How many years of college and classes you went through?
Two years of community college. The normal required courses in college. Then programming, data structures, information technology classes. And also personal projects for my own growth.
What jobs did you work before you?
A Student Worker at the Department of Education
How did you land your present professional job?
I applied for an Application Developer Apprenticeship at IBM. It was a year long apprenticeship in March 2022, and I completed it in February 2023. I was able to convert to a full-time associate.
Current Job?
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Package Consultant in our Microsoft Team
How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
Personally, it doesn't seem necessary. If you want to increase your salary, or are in a super competitive field than may be a Ph.D. may be beneficial. But it all depends on the field of work
Did you participate in a college program?
Yes, Computer Science
Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
I am finishing up a final calculus course over the summer. I would have taken it last year but starting the apprenticeship was a lot for me to balance.
Microsoft Dynamics Package Consultant
Why?
I wanted to go into nursing. I later changed my mind because I understood the hardships that would come with that profession. Once in college I studied Computer Science. I was always fascinated in how things worked and grew up as the “IT Person” in my house.
How many years of college and classes you went through?
Two years of community college. The normal required courses in college. Then programming, data structures, information technology classes. And also personal projects for my own growth.
What jobs did you work before you?
A Student Worker at the Department of Education
How did you land your present professional job?
I applied for an Application Developer Apprenticeship at IBM. It was a year long apprenticeship in March 2022, and I completed it in February 2023. I was able to convert to a full-time associate.
Current Job?
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Package Consultant in our Microsoft Team
How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
Personally, it doesn't seem necessary. If you want to increase your salary, or are in a super competitive field than may be a Ph.D. may be beneficial. But it all depends on the field of work
Did you participate in a college program?
Yes, Computer Science
Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
I am finishing up a final calculus course over the summer. I would have taken it last year but starting the apprenticeship was a lot for me to balance.
Updated
Jeremy’s Answer
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for the fun questions. Here are my answers:
What profession did you choose?
I am a cloud infrastructure and automation consultant (I like to think of it as a traveling engineer)
Why?
This career kind of found me. I was in the military and discovered a training program that would kick start a career in the IT field. Then I fell in love with cloud computing and building enterprise level systems.
How many years of college did you need to go through?
I did an 18-week training program. I do not have a college degree.
What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
Professionally, I started out as a motorcycle and small engine technician after attending school for that. I didn't like the field though so I then joined the US Army as an infantryman. After that I became a cloud consultant.
How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
I don't think earning a Ph.D. is worth the time and effort unless the employer requires it. In my current position as a senior consultant, my education never comes up in staffing or by any of my clients. What is important for staffing is certifications. I would caution you to consider the cost of a Ph.D. versus what a Ph.D. will do for you in the field you choose to pursue.
Were you in a college program?
I was in a 18 week training program for veterans.
Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
I don't, but my current employer has expressed an interest for me gaining a degree. Luckly, I can let my employer pay for the degree.
Thanks for the fun questions. Here are my answers:
What profession did you choose?
I am a cloud infrastructure and automation consultant (I like to think of it as a traveling engineer)
Why?
This career kind of found me. I was in the military and discovered a training program that would kick start a career in the IT field. Then I fell in love with cloud computing and building enterprise level systems.
How many years of college did you need to go through?
I did an 18-week training program. I do not have a college degree.
What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
Professionally, I started out as a motorcycle and small engine technician after attending school for that. I didn't like the field though so I then joined the US Army as an infantryman. After that I became a cloud consultant.
How can I decide if I should earn a Ph.D. in this field?
I don't think earning a Ph.D. is worth the time and effort unless the employer requires it. In my current position as a senior consultant, my education never comes up in staffing or by any of my clients. What is important for staffing is certifications. I would caution you to consider the cost of a Ph.D. versus what a Ph.D. will do for you in the field you choose to pursue.
Were you in a college program?
I was in a 18 week training program for veterans.
Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?
I don't, but my current employer has expressed an interest for me gaining a degree. Luckly, I can let my employer pay for the degree.
Updated
stephan’s Answer
What career path did you select?
Software Analyst
What motivated you to choose this profession?
The opportunity to work remotely and enjoy fantastic earnings.
How long did you spend in college to achieve this?
I completed 2 years and earned an associate degree in Sociology.
What positions did you hold before landing your current professional role?
I served in the military as a human resource specialist, and now I'm an analyst for HR software.
How can I determine if pursuing a Ph.D. in this field is the right choice for me?
Honestly, it's not essential. However, if you decide to obtain one, it could be based on your personal preferences.
Did you participate in a college program?
No, I didn't.
Was it necessary for you to change directions and return to school later on?
No, it wasn't.
Software Analyst
What motivated you to choose this profession?
The opportunity to work remotely and enjoy fantastic earnings.
How long did you spend in college to achieve this?
I completed 2 years and earned an associate degree in Sociology.
What positions did you hold before landing your current professional role?
I served in the military as a human resource specialist, and now I'm an analyst for HR software.
How can I determine if pursuing a Ph.D. in this field is the right choice for me?
Honestly, it's not essential. However, if you decide to obtain one, it could be based on your personal preferences.
Did you participate in a college program?
No, I didn't.
Was it necessary for you to change directions and return to school later on?
No, it wasn't.