Who works in IT?

scheming_gypsy

CISCO and network security

thewizard

What exactly is CISCO? Because that is something I dont understand but Network security is something I already do :-)

Stephen_Webber

Cisco made most of the hardware that powers the internet. They make routers and switches, which ensure that your data gets from A to B as efficiently as possible. I doubt there are many larger companies who don't use Cisco networking equipment.

Cheers,
Stephen

thewizard

cool, ill look into it! Thanks

wolfman

thewizard wrote:

I am 13, although I am in year 8 (yes I know young) I am taking my GCSE's in ICT. But I was wondering what is the best area of IT to get into (ie. most enjoyable and higher paid jobs) as I can pretty much do anything on a computer at an advanced level for my age. But some of the gibberish you are talking here is making my head spin, can someone please translate this into a more undertsnadable language. As whatever job is higher paid, enjoyable and allows you to gain alot of experience I will look into and attempt to get into that area.

If you want to go into winforms, or writing applications have a look at C and C++.

I'm currently involved in web, server-side stuff. Languages such as Java and C# (.Net) are good to learn. Database Architecture is a well paid area of work too, especially for sites with heavy user loads.

Microsoft have done a good job with .Net. It's very easy to get into, and you can do so via numerous languages. I'd recommend downloading (it's free) Visual Studio Express and Sql Server Express from Microsoft. Then head over to http://www.asp.net and start on the tutorials (which are great). C# (instead of VB) would be beneficial as you can switch between it and Java a bit more easily.

albertross_2

Cisco..hum.. I've worked in IT a long time, and never understood the hype about being "Cisco" certified, I can't think of a more boring non-job (car salesperson maybe). Each to their own though! No offence to all those CCNA's and car sales reps out there..

Have a look at jobserve if you want to chase the money. Finding something you enjoy is more important in my opinion.

If you are really 13, the skills in demand will probably have changed (or moved offshore) before you leave school.

At 13 I had no idea what I wanted to do for a living, still didn't at 16..

Ever done any programming?

thewizard

Thanks Ive been looking into learning a server side code, as HTML Javascripts and CSS has got a bit borring. I have been learning Visual Basics in school and me and a couple of friends are now writing software for my school. But at the moment I am using Visual Basics as a learning platform so I can move up into a more complex language such as C (which at one point I though was a qualification lol)

I am currently looking at the pros and cons of PHP and ASP to see which one I should look into and learn. Thanks for all your help.

scheming_gypsy

albertross wrote:

Cisco..hum.. I've worked in IT a long time, and never understood the hype about being "Cisco" certified, I can't think of a more boring non-job (car salesperson maybe). Each to their own though! No offence to all those CCNA's and car sales reps out there..

The main thing with CISCO is it's none customer facing so you don't have to deal with people in your face. Plus it's not that easy to learn so the wage is higher.

wolfman

thewizard wrote:

I am currently looking at the pros and cons of PHP and ASP to see which one I should look into and learn. Thanks for all your help.

Don't do ASP (as in ASP Classic), if that's what you meant. It's outdated, PHP is superior. ASP.Net coupled with VB.Net/C# would be a better alternative. It'll be a toss up between that an PHP5.

Both have strengths and weaknesses. ASP.Net will basically take you down the Microsoft route, where licenses/hosting will cost more. It is however far more powerful and fully compilable.

thewizard

I've been considering what to do I know its a bit early but I want to get a head start on people and have decided that I'm going to get my foot in as many doors as possible then after I have completed my A Levels I will make a decision on what to specialise in. I think Im going to take the Microsoft route and use ASP.Net and VB.Net as I am already use VB6 then if necessary I can learn any other languages required be I dont see a need for this at the moment. Thanks to everyone who has helped me! And I think I may have found free ASP hosting!