Question for Programmers:

Given what you think will happen because of y2k failures, how about giving some career advice to those of us wondering what we can do Post y2k to support our families if our current jobs are lost in the fallout.

1. Do you think learning y2k-remediation-related computer programming now would be a good move (i.e., will there be plenty of jobs available post Jan 1/2000 that will need people with these skills.)

2. If so, what programming languages would you recommend learning, and can one learn these in 5/6 months of intensive training.

3. If you did not have the programming skills you have know, but did have the knowledge re: important of computers that you have, would YOU do this yourself as a viable career option at this point? (Just a more personal way of asking question #1.)

Thanks for the answers

-- Walter Skold (wsvnsk2@juno.com), July 29, 1999

Answers

Walter -

"Given what you think will happen because of y2k failures, how about giving some career advice to those of us wondering what we can do Post y2k to support our families if our current jobs are lost in the fallout. "

Personally I don't think Y2K is going to have a very large impact on jobs here in the USA. It is always nice to have an education to fall back on in case your career path seems to be on a dead-end street. I don't know what you do for a living, but personally I feel rather comfortable knowing that I can do literally anything that I put my mind to. With almost 30 years in the IT industry, I don't see anything on the horizon that would tend to make me feel un-easy.

Walter -

"1. Do you think learning y2k-remediation-related computer programming now would be a good move (i.e., will there be plenty of jobs available post Jan 1/2000 that will need people with these skills.) "

If you are not familiar with computer programming logic and techniques, there will not be a lot of work for you to do in regard to Y2K remediation. I know of very few companies that are hiring programmers for Y2K with less than 5 years of experience. I see no reason for that to change. There will still be plenty of "Programming" jobs available next year and the many years to follow it. It's not bad work - certainly not physical, but it can be very challenging and rewarding though. If you like puzzles and mysterys, you may just like programming.

Walter -

"2. If so, what programming languages would you recommend learning, and can one learn these in 5/6 months of intensive training. "

In a way this is already answered (partially). But. Mainframe programming technology is still very large and, once again, growing. COBOL is the primary language used in business computing today and has grown in popularity for Client Server applications as well. Personally I am schooled and utilize multiple languages of which COBOL is but one. I prefer to use it on business applications, but like to use ASM, C and C++ as well. Toss in a little Visual Basic for kicks. SQL database technology is growing on an exponential scale. Once you know ANSI-SQL (Structured Query Language) you can use almost ANY Database Management System or technology out there.

Walter -

"3. If you did not have the programming skills you have know, but did have the knowledge re: important of computers that you have, would YOU do this yourself as a viable career option at this point? (Just a more personal way of asking question #1.) "

Most definately. The move to involve computers in every facet of the world has not slowed in the slightest. You would be well rewarded for the choice of a career in this field.

Hope this helps!

Yours in COBOL... Dino!

-- (COBOL_Dinosaur@yahoo.com), July 29, 1999.

walter...

my feeling is that remediation issues will continue to be at the forefront of legacy systems, combined with a gradual turn to combine legacy systems with web enabled applications and new applications without compliancy issues...

those who are truly y2k compliant can move ahead... we have already discussed these options here at work and that's the plan, man... if we are still working... on that issue, i believe i will be working in similar situation as stated here... somehow, someway... as well as working on the "farm" ... job or not there will be BIG supply/money/inflation problems that will require extra attention from the home front...

i also see a trend in home office programming, either contract or otherwise... btw.. i don't think the java beans will have any shortage of supply... if i were to learn a new language, java would be the one...

keep the faith...

-- booann (cantsay@lovemyjob.edu), July 29, 1999.

I guess I agree with the above. If remediation problems are still outstanding, they will be handled first, but there's a lot of backlogged work to be done that was set aside in favor of Y2k work. This work will be handled next and then many companies will move on to E-commerce, etc.

Languages are oftentimes dependent on chosen platform. If you've never tried programming before, try something like Basic or Q-basic? I really don't remember the course my brother took. I only remember him E-mailing me all the programs he couldn't debug. He finally gave up and dropped the course. It's not for everyone. As Dino stated, you MUST like working puzzles and have an eye for detail. Punctuation is critical.

You may be able to find an online course for little or no money just to see if you like it.

-- Anita (spoonera@msn.com), July 29, 1999.

*IF* rollover were to be REALLY BAD (REALLY.. BAD..), I think that "programmers" had better lay pretty low for awhile. Otherwise, they might just get lynched (or shot, or...?)

My opinion only.

-- Dennis (djolson@pressenter.com), July 29, 1999.

Dennis -

"*IF* rollover were to be REALLY BAD (REALLY.. BAD..), I think that "programmers" had better lay pretty low for awhile. Otherwise, they might just get lynched (or shot, or...?) My opinion only."

Dennis - if the rollover is anything other than smooth, we will be the ONLY ones who will be safe! Why? Because we (programmers) would be the only ones that could "put Humpty Dumpty back together again". That's why!

Yours in COBOL... Dino! "Lookout here comes a GRAPE!" :-)

-- (COBOL_Dinosaur@yahoo.com), July 29, 1999.

dennis... is that a threat? i'll be part of the solution, it would not be wise to lynch the folks with the fixes!!! really...

keep the faith

-- booann (cantsay@lovemyjob.edu), July 29, 1999.

Keep in mind that "rationality" has little to do with the mob mentality. Just because we're the one's who can fix won't save us, if any serious scapegoating goes on....

-- Dennis (djolson@pressenter.com), July 29, 1999.

dennis... you are right.. but please see my response on another thread today about programmers and blame... i will protect myself if it is soooo bad... i have some "swampland".... see ya there!!!

keep the faith...

-- booann (cantsay@lovemyjob.edu), July 29, 1999.

Walter, I believe that computer programming will be a good job if there are much in the way of any jobs (Y2K is at all less than a "10"). Many jobs next year will IMHO be either manual labor, or standing outside buildings guarding them with a firearm in all weather, all hours. Programming will be more pleasant, and pay better. (Look at item #4 in the article "Finding Y2K Prep Time and $$" on my website for more ideas on job skills that will and won't be in much demand for quite a while after the end of 1999). Above all, a programmer must learn C/C++, as close to half of programming is done in it now. I have read the following books, and believe them useful to more fully answer you.

1) Silicon Snake Oil

2) Cybercareers

3) Rise & Resurrection of the American Programmer

www.y2ksafeminnesota.com

-- MinnesotaSmith (y2ksafeminnesota@hotmail.com), July 29, 1999.

The best jobs in Y2K and beyond will be those that produce real, useful products and services. I am thinking of farming, carpentry, plumbing, etc. Useless and harmful occupations like programming, stock brokering, and speech writing will be banned on pain of death.

-- Mr. Adequate (mr@adequate.com), July 29, 1999.

Hi Walter,

I think you should give it a try. I recommend a program called "Liberty BASIC" to newbies. It's Windows based, and does alot of the behind the scenes Windows stuff for you. It's shareware, but it doesn't expire, and the only restriction is that you must register it if you want to distribute your programs to other people. It comes with a bunch of sample programs, a pretty good tutorial and help file. Their web site has a forum, and a bunch of other useful downloads.

Liberty BASIC

<:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), July 30, 1999.