Future security/job possible?

arleitiss

Hey, bit of intro first:
I am 21 (as of yesterday), I am doing my Bachelors degree in Computer Science.

Timeline:
Pre-College (secondary school years):
I just moved to Ireland in 2007, went to Secondary School 2nd year, had no friends outside of school so I spent all my time at home, was into computers, building them etc..
I was doing 3D modelling (3ds max) and in 4 years I mastered it pretty well being able to model anything and make cartoons. Did lots of game map development and models too for games, never did any programming, didn't even know HTML as it was "VERY HARD" to understand for me.

1st year in college:
Started learning HTML, found it easy, started doing Java found it easy too, aced all my projects, got average of 94-100% for these projects.

During summer between 1st year and 2nd year I learned: PHP, MySQL, JS and more of Java, made my first Desktop Application/Program which was also voted up and got onto Softpedia by itself (somehow, I just got congratulations email from them and that's it).

2nd year in college:
In semester one, we had Software Development where I made a game on Unity in C# (which I learned in 2 months specifically for this task), and got 100% for it. Pretty much flew through Introduction to Databases module (since I learned SQL in summer).

In second semester we were given a task to make Android Application without any teaching, it was said to be: "independent learning", 95% of my course did App in PhoneGap but I wasn't satisfied with such approach and went for Android Native (Java) and ended up getting 93% for that module, the rest of modules were pretty easy to (web dev, advanced DB etc..).

In the April I kind of laid off the college and stopped going to it as it was mainly project development etc.. (mine was finished by then), so I found an internship and started working in it as PHP developer, I worked there up until November), so now I had 6-7 Months of experience, I constantly was doing PHP, Android Dev, database management.

So during summer between 2nd year and 3rd year I upskilled in: Android (java), MySQL, PHP and HTML5 now as well as JS.

Year 3:
Again project - Android, I did a pretty big-scaled application which covered:
Android phones, Web Site, MySQL database and all of it was connected with each other, the app I made was: Letting parents track who their children text or call allowing parents to view logs on their phones or website, got a decent mark of 95% again.

In semester 2 we were supposed to have Work Placement but I got exempt (saying I have 6 months experience in my history so I don't have to do it) so I was/am now free since December up to September). So now I am developing game in Unity and working on my own side Android apps/projects which are even bigger scale than the one I made in Semester 1.

While taking break from Android I am learning Linux, Networking and Security systems.

In year 4 I have choice of few specializations: Gaming and Multimedia, Software Development, Networking and Mobile Tech., Cloud Computing.

I choice Networking and mobile tech since I really love Android OS and would like to know how it works etc.. + I know networking is always handy.


I also purchased google play license and released both of my Android apps:
2nd year app: 34 Downloads (no advertisement).
3rd year app: 587 Downloads (no advertisement).



So I can kind of cover broad range of jobs and tasks but I am kind of still afraid of finishing 4th year, I have the feeling that when I finish college I will just end up home unable to find the job, I constantly hear people saying there are no jobs available and I see them being home 24/7 doing absolutely nothing and unable to find jobs for months ( they don't have any degree), but does the degree change anything? It's kind of scary to imagine finishing 4 years of college now, trying my best then unable to find anything.

Also will I have higher chances of getting job if I do MSc after finishing BSc?
And which of the specialisations I mentioned you think will have more jobs?


Thanks.

counterpointaud

I don't think you will have a problem, based on what you describe, if you have even half-decent communication skills.

arleitiss

counterpointaud wrote: »

I don't think you will have a problem, based on what you describe, if you have even half-decent communication skills.

and which of the areas you think is the most futuristic so to say?

counterpointaud

arleitiss wrote: »

and which of the areas you think is the most futuristic so to say?

As is, which of these technologies have the most opportunities for employment?

I would guess probably Java at the moment, although Javascript is everywhere too these days.

You should be making the most of your diverse experience though. Try and identify the common patterns an practices throughout everything you have done, and be able to articulate in an interview how experience in so many types of technology improved your understanding of each of them.

Think in terms of OO Principles, design patterns, database design principle in terms of optimising systems and making them more scalable and maintainable. I think (from my admittedly limited interview experience), that employers value this high-level understanding more than 'I did x with technology y'.

More like 'my experience with technology a taught me a lot about higher level concept b, and my time working on project x taught me a lot about architecture y'.

Hope that makes sense.

slegs

Can't go wrong with focussing on Java

Lots of opportunity in Finance, Telco and business in general.

Good basis for moving to other languages and platforms

bpmurray

Your skills in Java, web and, in particular, mobile will make you very marketable. My guess is that you'll have a job offer even before you finish 4th year.