AboutJeff Laatsch Expertise I can answer programming questions related to: C, C++, PHP, PERL, VB, SQL, ASP, JAVA, JS, XHTML, XML, CSS, PL/SQL, AWK, SED, VI Editor and if I don`t know the answer I have 20+ years systems experience as my resource.
I can handle general questions in most areas of computer science including systems integration, API, networking related issues.
Experience An accomplished WEB Master/Developer, Programmer Analyst, Systems Administrator with 12+ years of industry background in full system management and technical hardware/software support expertise including SUN, HP-UX, AIX, LINUX, and Windows NT,Win2000, 2003 with Active Directory: Well rounded in software engineering principles, requirements gathering, analyst, definition, system architectural design, OOA, OOD, UML, SEI-CMM and SDLC: Knowledgeable in Data Warehouse, Data Mart technologies, and experienced working with ORACLE databases utilizing ERP, SQL, PHP, PERL, C, C++, PL/SQL,SQL, JAVA, VB.NET, SOAP and other Dynamic WEB technologies: Analytical thinker and problem solver: Goal oriented professional who has a Masters in Computer Systems with emphasis in computer programming (C++ and Application Development).
Education/Credentials City University, WA 12/03
Master of Science in Computer Systems
with Emphasis in Computer programming (C++/App Development)
Chapman University, WA 6/01
Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems
Emphasis in Computer networks and security
20+ years of experience in the Computer Science Industry
Awards and Honors 7/96,9/96,10/96,1/97,2/98,6/99,10/01,7/02,01/03,
Outstanding Achievement & Special Recognition
Sorry to repeat questions I looked through many of your previous questions about career or education-related issues in CS and IT which were very helpful.
My situation is a little different though, I graduated almost 2 years ago with a bachelors in psychology, have been working in research assistant roles since then. I have found through working in "the real world" that IT is really my passion, and have tried to pursue IT related work in my jobs. However, have had little direct IT experience. One thing I can say I enjoy is troubleshooting and more hands-on/practical work with computers.
I am going back and forth between CS and IT, my main concern is that if I go into IT I will be at a disadvantage somehow since I already come from a limited science/math background, but at the same time if I do CS I would have to start from scratch (with BS) or find a MS program that caters to people from other fields, which so far have been difficult to find.
Do you have any suggestions for people from other unrelated fields who want to get started in either the IT or CS field ?
Answer Sehar:
Actually one of my best supervisors had a Bachelors degree in Psychology, like you, and then changed fields to IT: She is doing quite well. You actually will have a greater advantage because it will be 'different' AND you have the psychology background to understand people better then most: Key People skills are important in the IT industry.
