[THE FUTURE & CAREERS] Request for Advice

Terry Donaghe (tdonaghe@yahoo.com)
Tue, 8 Jun 1999 11:12:39 -0700 (PDT)

I think this topic/question is more aimed at those of you who have knowledge or careers in the computer industry.

I currently have 3 years of experience as a Visual Basic programmer
(yeah, yeah, hiss boo). I have gone from making less than $20,000 to
more than $70,000 in this time, so my Visual Basic skills have certainly paid well.

However, I'm not so sure that Visual Basic programming skills will be worth a damn in 5 years or even 3.

Here's my question: In order for me to break over into the next level of income generation or at least stay in my current salary window, what sorts of skills should I be adding? I hope to be certified as a MCSD
(yeah, yeah, hiss boo) before winter, but what else should I be
learning/doing? What will the Next Big Thing be?

I have fiddled with Visual C++, but I get the feeling that C++ may not be so hot in a couple of years. I thought at one point that Java might be the NBT, but it still seems immature and very few recruiters are looking for Java skills around here (mostly they want VB, VB and more VB with maybe some Interdev/ASP stuff thrown in for good measure).

I've recently installed Linux to play around with, but I see very little need for Linux programmers (I'm in the Raleigh/Durham, NC area) currently.

I have no formal programming training - I have a degree in worthless Journalism and with a family I don't have time to go back to school right now...

Any advice? Comments? Etc?

Thanks!
===
Terry Donaghe: terry@donaghe.com
http://www.donaghe.com
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." --Samuel Adams


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