Council for future computer technicians
Uruguay is filled to the utmost of "computer technicians."
In the 80's, it was believed that the "computer" was the most promising career, so any parent who is worthy of the children raised with the idea that I had to learn the "office of the future." This idea led to improvements in population of "tech-wannabes" who believed that a course in "Computer Operator" would open the doors of the universe, which generated a wave of proportions only comparable with that of the bubble. COM 90 '... and with the same meager outcome.
Today, those who were in those early days (and prob-ably a little earlier as well) know that to be technical to do more than just a course to learn to use a mouse and a package of office programs . We saw enough to realize that this was the tip of an iceberg of immeasurable proportions and which does not apply the rule that only one eighth of it is on the surface ...
remains rife that there are young people with enthusiasm, they want to do computer-related courses, either because they like the computer itself or because they like what they can do with it (two points of view it should make clear), but the boldest attempt to attack what they see as more difficult, because it leaves more room for profit in the future (thinking about getting a good paying technical jobs), but mostly are not seriously considering the need to invest time to become a technician qualified enough to be able to get those profits.
This happens example that there are those who are embarking on a course of a couple of years and expect to win big bucks doing websites, fixing PC's, designing advertising or perhaps managing servers. And many are finding that actually, after a time to be attending school, do not get the result they want at the time who think they are "investing" to achieve their goals. Many encounter unanticipated difficulties with unpleasant subjects or subjects that actually are not interested in having to deal with, because the end-result is still "earn big bucks doing ..." and not learning to do ...".
As I see this quite often, I have given up a small document entitled "Advice for future computer technician," which is nothing but a number of basic ideas for those who want to become initiated and have questions about how to start and what to do.
do not intend to follow these tips, but make available to the general public for those who have interest in technical careers, have an idea of \u200b\u200bwhat it takes to reach the goal. Do not blame me for making it seem more difficult than it actually is (is not that difficult?), But I have to warn them not to waste your life trying to be something for which we must have certain qualities that can not be to everyone at the time of start.
Take it for what it is, a list of preconditions that should be "reviewed" before starting the engine to make sure that we will reach the destination without complications.
1. Learn "computer" is not going to a course of three months to press buttons and move a mouse: computing is a complex science and learning it requires seriousness, dedication and perseverance. The general knowledge is necessary, but specialization is the difference between being a "simple username" and an "expert." If you do not want to become an expert, will become without a doubt one of the bunch of "users", and unless you plan to use the computer as a tool applied to another task that has nothing to do with the computer itself, this condition will not be sufficiently useful for employment in the computer area.
2. Make sure you know what is involved in the specialization that you want to and if you want to work in information technology, Evolve heavily on a small group of majors : Sometimes, a specific type of work involves tasks that are not pleasant, although the vast majority of work is. Those who pursue a certain position and created to obtain gratification alone (in addition to good dividends) probably have a misconception about computer science as a way of living. Find out the pros and cons of a specialist before starting to learn. Also, delve into the smallest possible number of specializations to maintain an appropriate focus and get a unique expertise that apart from the rest. Know how many things can be interesting, but specialization is what will give better returns (assuming you still have the idea to make money with your computer studies ...).
3. Make sure you understand technical English fluently: Like it or not like it, English is the language of science and there is no way to escape this universal reality. The best documentation on any topic related to computer science is inevitably in that language, so if you do not learn to read at least previously, it is impossible to be informed properly and securely on any topic. Unless you want to engage in using the computer as design tool (and only for that), learn English before you start.
4. Develop a love of learning itself, and learn how to learn (forgive the redundancy): Although it is proven that anyone can become an expert on any subject seriously just spend 10 years of his life, do depends on the ease with which it is able to assimilate knowledge, which is needed to train and streamline the mind enough to make the "learning curve" lean as possible. This requires real dedication and time. If none of these elements, do not try to learn computers. Depending on the expertise developed in which to decide, you'll find no one who can teach and will have to teach himself by reading documentation and learn by trial and error. Avoid believe that the solution is to make a couple of queries in a web browser or a specialized forum. You'd be surprised at how many ways there are to do the same, and what is the relationship between what are considered good and no, and I'm not counting the cases in which some joker appears far-fetched ideas while technically convincing to confuse any novice, so learn to understand and discern.
5. Make sure you consult the appropriate sources of information : Go to any school that teaches "computer" is not the proper way to learn. Search references inquire, talk with others who have had experiences in places where schools displayed as possible attend. Take seriously the choice of where you are learning. See how successful they have obtained those who have gone to school XXX to find out if it really can be taken as reference. Do these schools have courses fame touting international recognition, but hardly verifiable. Courses start "or" short courses "do not show the tip of the iceberg, only shrapnel, and the difference is in the field of battle. If you really want to be a specialist, start by making a formal course at the Faculty of Engineering, and enjoy the free time you can get in deeper any topic that interests you really.
6. Prepare and predispose to deal with several pages of seemingly unintelligible acronyms : IP, TCP, SCSI, UDP, ICMP, FTP, SMTP, POP3, IMAP, HTTP, IPSec, VoIP, VLAN, TMDA, APOP, SAAS, OOP, SQL, SSL, MAC, SPF, SGML, PPP, LBA, IPv6, SAS, XML, USB, BGP, IGRP, TLS, PoE, SRS, ARP, DoS, FQDN, RDP, MPLS, VNC, ASCII, DMA, IRQ, MMX, RTFM ... If you could not easily identify and broken down into constituent terms at least 10 of these acronyms and perhaps they computer is not their profession. May one day be ashamed of the "nerd" who is to be able to describe them all, but if not able to remember and understand what they mean, probably not a good idea to try to learn computers, and that is full of abbreviations how are you and understand what mean it can take hours of required reading (to give a simple idea, imagine that to understand what the abbreviation is POP3, you must read a document of 23 pages. Ah ... do not know English ...? did not read the third item in this list!?). Note that among these abbreviations are not trademarks or pet names (although some may like the idea of \u200b\u200busing them for this purpose), and not worth just memorize them, you also have to understand its meaning!
7. Get used to see on the Internet, specialized forums and subscribe to mailing lists on topics of interest: do not need to participate, but at least be informed about the technical issues that are important and attractive. Avoid the temptation to ask questions about subjects you do not know anything at all. Seek referrals and information in the most authoritative sources possible before commenting. If necessary, ask for references on where to look (if you already tried unsuccessfully to find good quality information) but do not ask if you tried before ... If you ask something, please read the document called "How to ask questions the smart way" and understand what it means. It will save you time and pain (head and self-esteem).
8. Avoid hanging out with other "wannabe" who want to be "hackers" Normally, they are beginning to believe it is "cool" into other people's computers and steal data or cause, but rarely are able to do anything but come on written recipe step by step. Contact with these people is bad for their focus and objectivity. Do not let it sow the seeds of panic paranoid, and have time to worry when you have to protect a network of "crackers" (yes, like cookies, but flesh and blood). In fact, this type of character misunderstood the concept that represents the word "hacker", so I just talk about "hacking" thinking they know what it is and have no idea that to be a hacker, you have to work very hard. If you really want to be a HACKER, become an expert in any field of computing, to participate, if learned enough, to teach and explain, and suddenly, one day without realizing who understand the subject it will be calling HACKER (or any other terms associated with the expertise).
9. Learn to adapt quickly to changes and work under intense pressure: If changing challenges and lack of time are not to your liking, or if your tolerance to stress is low and perhaps they want to dedicate yourself to something less complicated and simple. There are people who can not cope with this kind of thing and actually ends in very poor condition. No shame in that, may be due to physiological question and can often come from a nutritional or metabolic problem (lack of absorption of certain minerals or vitamins, hormonal imbalances) and not have to be a determining factor may be supplemented by treatment. Be mentally stable clean is essential for the acquisition of sound knowledge and to work in computer science. Adaptability is a quality highly prized in this area, so those who are able to adapt faster, reach further. If you live on the computer, you may be entering one of the groups at risk of heart disease and mental instability. I know because the voices in my head I repeat it constantly ...
10. be prepared to coach trusted family and friends probably a good source of case studies and practical, very useful during the study period when one still does not have enough experience, but eventually you will find that their knowledge will require to wonder if he did well, telling acquaintances and friends what I was studying, because the questions and problems arising from the use of anything that has more 10 key will be derived without regard, because "you're the one who knows about these things." As Thomas Grey said: "where ignorance is bliss, it is crazy to be wise."
I know some of these tips can be applied to other industries that have nothing to do with the computer. Every profession has its technical details and complications, but do not know them all, so que solo me limité a lo que tengo más cerca. Muchos dirán que en realidad es un poco exagerado lo que puse en este documento, pero la realidad y la experiencia me dan la razón.
Si me faltó algo, pueden agregarlo como comentario. Prometo hacer las modificaciones correspondientes en este documento para agregar sus ideas también al mismo.
Ah, y no me lo agradezcan. Solo puse en papel algunas cosas que son de sentido común, como en el marketing, solo que no se lo voy a vender a nadie... :-)
By: Gustavo Castro Puig
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