| superspeed |
who has taken it and how is it? has anyone succesfully*sp completed it? what kind of jobs did u find and whats it like?
i am planning to take this and was wonderng how is it =\ |
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| penance |
I did the first year... then switched to the same program at BCIT.
For the most part i enjoyed it, however i didn't like how you couldn't pick the area you advanced in, in the final year. So i went somewhere i could.
The only thing i disliked... that there were only 2 kinds of instructors, many of which weren't the kind you payed good money for. They are: a Mickey Mouse (friendly, helpful instructor that would go out of his/her way to help you with any questions you had), or a Hitler (self-explanitory i think...).
But that was 1 1/2 years ago.... hopefully you luck out & that has changed! The facilities were very good though. All classes are in the new building, with fairly new labs everywhere. Plus the CST program gives you access to lots of free Microsoft software... and they are easy going about it. I got a nice chunk of my tuition money back just from signing out & installing various programs & an OS from them. :thumbup: |
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| superspeed |
| how about jobs wise...hard to find? what kind of jobs and tasks i will be doing? |
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| TrevorK |
quote:
Originally posted by superspeed
how about jobs wise...hard to find? what kind of jobs and tasks i will be doing?
I graduated CST and now work at NAIT.
In fact, most of the developers here also came from a NAIT education. |
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| Jord@n |
I graduated CST in December. I now do programming with accounting systems. In my opinion finding a job is easy if you put in the work and know how to job hunt. But there are many of my friends who haven't found one yet that finished in December.
I thought the course was pretty good. I think the people who do the best at this course are those that learn fast and work hard with their homework. It's not an easy course in my opinion.
If you want more specific info PM me. :thumbup: :beer: |
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| rexxrally |
I graduated CST in 87 (yeah, yeah, I know, half of you weren't even born yet!). I have never been out of work in 19 years and the amount of work coming my way is getting bigger and bigger every year. With Baby Boomers starting to retire, there is going to be an even bigger need for software to do more of the work that retirees used to do.
If you're good, you will have lifetime employment. That doesn't mean one company, though. You will move around.
Also, if you're good, after about 5 years in the industry, you will be making 6 figures. |
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| mattEG |
I graduated CST is 2004. It was alright.
I currently work as a Senior Sys Admin/Analyst
I will say that I will never hire a CST grad that didn't graduate with honours. |
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| n0c7 |
| I took CNA(Computer Network Administrator) at NAIT which had a vast variety of topics covered. I would only recommend this course as an introductory course with those who have little to no experience looking to see whats out there and use it as a starting point or for people with high personal experience but lack the piece of paper they need to get out in the field. Thats what I did and I'm quite happy with where I'm at. And on the plus side, I signed up for the accelerated program and did two years in one. Another alternative to CST. We had alot of CST dropouts in CNA while I was there. And as mentioned above me, if I was to hire someone out of CNA they would have to have graduated with honours. |
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| TrevorK |
quote:
Originally posted by n0c7
We had alot of CST dropouts in CNA while I was there. And as mentioned above me, if I was to hire someone out of CNA they would have to have graduated with honours.
That's the problem - a lot of people blindly take CST, then realize they don't want to / can't learn programming. Which is why at NAIT there are all the other computer courses as well.
The key is to figure out what you want to do afterwards before you start. If you don't know, I'd probably say CST is the best choice for flexibility. |
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| mattEG |
quote:
Originally posted by n0c7
I took CNA(Computer Network Administrator) at NAIT which had a vast variety of topics covered. I would only recommend this course as an introductory course with those who have little to no experience looking to see whats out there and use it as a starting point or for people with high personal experience but lack the piece of paper they need to get out in the field. Thats what I did and I'm quite happy with where I'm at. And on the plus side, I signed up for the accelerated program and did two years in one. Another alternative to CST. We had alot of CST dropouts in CNA while I was there. And as mentioned above me, if I was to hire someone out of CNA they would have to have graduated with honours.
When did you graduate? |
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| n0c7 |
quote:
Originally posted by mattEG
When did you graduate?
*thinks* Started Sept 02, graduated June 03 I believe. |
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| clapbak |
| Computers get u know where.. |
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| rexxrally |
quote:
Originally posted by clapbak
Computers get u know where..
Don't diss the computer. It's done wonders for your spelling...... |
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| clapbak |
I know a few of my freinds who took that course, a few years ago, who are now working at big box stores, getting paid 13 dollers an hour who cant find jobs..
I just dont think computers are a good thing to go into right now.. IMO thats just me..(IN canada) The pay is the shits for anything computer related.... |
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| clapbak |
quote:
Originally posted by rexxrally
Don't diss the computer. It's done wonders for your spelling......
and i ment that by, jobs.. |
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| rexxrally |
quote:
Originally posted by clapbak
I know a few of my freinds who took that course, a few years ago, who are now working at big box stores, getting paid 13 dollers an hour who cant find jobs..
I just dont think computers are a good thing to go into right now.. IMO thats just me..(IN canada) The pay is the shits for anything computer related....
In this life, though, you gotta zig when everybody else zags. When everybody else says "I just dont think computers are a good thing to go into right now" that's a great time to go in. You'll have a lack of competition because everybody else is avoiding it. If people took the course and can't find jobs, it's because there's better candidates than them, not because of a lack of work. I said before "if you're good.......".
It's the same as the stock market. When stocks are declining, everybody is selling. But it's actually a great time to buy, because the stock market will come back up again. You're buying stock on sale......
And I wouldn't say the pay is the shits for ANYTHING computer related. Programmers (like me) make a lot of money (sorry I don't mean to brag, but it is true. All my programmer friends make a lot of money).
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| n0c7 |
quote:
Originally posted by clapbak
I know a few of my freinds who took that course, a few years ago, who are now working at big box stores, getting paid 13 dollers an hour who cant find jobs..
I just dont think computers are a good thing to go into right now.. IMO thats just me..(IN canada) The pay is the shits for anything computer related....
If you know your shit and have some contacts you'll be fine. I started at $21/hr when I was 18 and I'm 21 now and just keep movin' up. :thumbup: |
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| HeavyEarly87T |
If you come out of a course like that and settle for a $13/hr job then that is your choice. Nobody is going to pay you $30/hr unless you earn it.
These programs only get you started on the path...there is so many options from that point that you have to specialize and move towards your goal.
Thats what I did...worked well. |
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| TrevorK |
quote:
Originally posted by clapbak
I know a few of my freinds who took that course, a few years ago, who are now working at big box stores, getting paid 13 dollers an hour who cant find jobs..
I just dont think computers are a good thing to go into right now.. IMO thats just me..(IN canada) The pay is the shits for anything computer related....
I have enough work lined up to keep me busy for 24 hours a day if I wanted - the work is there for those who can do it.
Just like every other industry there are ups and downs. During the upswings, everyone gets a high paying job. During the downswings the jobs aren't as plentiful, and less paying for entry level jobs. But there are still many jobs, and many high paying ones. |
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| Honda_Finatic |
| Take the Basic Programming Level 1 course. If u enjoy the C++ programming, then computers is right for you. As for the work when u are done, i find alot of the people i knew ended up making only $10-$15 an hour. |
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| TrevorK |
quote:
Originally posted by Honda_Finatic
Take the Basic Programming Level 1 course. If u enjoy the C++ programming, then computers is right for you. As for the work when u are done, i find alot of the people i knew ended up making only $10-$15 an hour.
I've never met a programmer that makes 10-15 an hour and doesn't live in a third world country. |
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| superspeed |
| programer....10-$15/hr ?!..... |
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| HeavyEarly87T |
quote:
Originally posted by Honda_Finatic
Take the Basic Programming Level 1 course. If u enjoy the C++ programming, then computers is right for you. As for the work when u are done, i find alot of the people i knew ended up making only $10-$15 an hour.
Only if they are still working at Second Cup! If you have a programmer buddy telling you they only make that little....they never passed the course and they are working at a call centre. |
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| Jord@n |
| I make more then 10-15 / hour straight out of school with no experience. :dunno: :thumbup: |
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| midnite |
quote:
Originally posted by clapbak
I know a few of my freinds who took that course, a few years ago, who are now working at big box stores, getting paid 13 dollers an hour who cant find jobs..
I just dont think computers are a good thing to go into right now.. IMO thats just me..(IN canada) The pay is the shits for anything computer related....
I took CNA, and after I graduated I unfortunatly settled for two years at a mediocre job that payed just over 30k. It was my fault that I did not put in the effort or time to find something better, but it did help me land my current job. I now have my career on track at a different organization with a much better job and making a lot more money.
The lower end of the computer career spectrum is full of poor jobs and saturated with underqualified people. Once you get a step or two higher up the ladder, you'll discover the field is thriving. A NAIT graduate, expecially with honours, should be able to land high enough that they won't have to deal with poor jobs and low pay. That is after all why you went to school. :)
But it does take effort. If you don't try, of course you won't go anywhere. |
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| Honda_Finatic |
quote:
Originally posted by HeavyEarly87T
Only if they are still working at Second Cup! If you have a programmer buddy telling you they only make that little....they never passed the course and they are working at a call centre.
So first of all, my comments were based on based on people i SPECIFICALLY knew. No, i never said ALL of them make that and
Yes what i heard from friends is a little bit off but not by much.
http://www.nait.ca/ir/gradplace/Place04web.pdf
Read page 104.
$2200 a month= $13.75 hr based on a 40 hour work week and 4 weeks per month
$3000 a month =$18.75 hr
What have you all got to say now? Still think they ALL make lots and lots of money to start? |
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| Jord@n |
I would say $2600 to $3000 / Month isn't a horrible starting salary. $2200 is a bit low, but the majority of people don't make below $2600 so it just proves that there are decent paying jobs for those who know where and how to get them.
It's just like any job. You can't expect to make a huge amount of money straight out of school unless you went for a long time or know the right people.
I'm betting if there was a graph of how much their income went up over the 5 years after graduation, CST grads would be doing much better.:fingersx: |
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| DoubleDown |
quote:
Originally posted by HeavyEarly87T
Only if they are still working at Second Cup! If you have a programmer buddy telling you they only make that little....they never passed the course and they are working at a call centre.
The term "programmer" is wayyy too broad to be speculating wages. I've seen a million people come out of NAIT courses on ASP or Javascript and say they're "programmers". Having said that, there's good programmers and bad programmers. I know people that can write a C++ app to parse some log files and spit out statistics, but don't know what a reference is or how to manage resources properly.
If you're not good at what you do, don't expect to make much money at it.
- Mike |
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| HeavyEarly87T |
quote:
Originally posted by Honda_Finatic
So first of all, my comments were based on based on people i SPECIFICALLY knew. No, i never said ALL of them make that and
Yes what i heard from friends is a little bit off but not by much.
http://www.nait.ca/ir/gradplace/Place04web.pdf
Read page 104.
$2200 a month= $13.75 hr based on a 40 hour work week and 4 weeks per month
$3000 a month =$18.75 hr
What have you all got to say now? Still think they ALL make lots and lots of money to start?
OK $18.75 will do for a start but if they have not been bumped to the $22+ by the end of the year they should move on.
$13.75/hr not acceptable for any job that requires 2 years of school or more to get.
$18+/hr is a good start but I would negotiate an increase after 90 days in the hiring package and again before the year of employment is finished.
Of course it helps if you are good at what you do and show a passion for the work.
Url. |
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| Honda_Finatic |
| ^^ i agree with you there. Unfortunately, theres an abundance of graduates every year. I looked into that CST program at one point in time... needless to say, i was a bit disappointed. |
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| midnite |
quote:
Originally posted by Jord@n
I would say $2600 to $3000 / Month isn't a horrible starting salary. $2200 is a bit low, but the majority of people don't make below $2600 so it just proves that there are decent paying jobs for those who know where and how to get them.
It's just like any job. You can't expect to make a huge amount of money straight out of school unless you went for a long time or know the right people.
I'm betting if there was a graph of how much their income went up over the 5 years after graduation, CST grads would be doing much better.:fingersx:
i agree with this. starting salary doesn't determine much. with a decent company it should increase a couple times each year. usually a starting salary is set low while they evaluate you for a few months to determine if you are good for the company. |
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| superspeed |
| hmm i got 6 months to kill before i get into the programs, does anyone know any places hiring? computer related? anything? |
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| TrevorK |
quote:
Originally posted by superspeed
hmm i got 6 months to kill before i get into the programs, does anyone know any places hiring? computer related? anything?
You'll probably have to stick to call centers if you want computer related - my experience would tell me you'll have a hard time convincing a consulting place to hire you, with no experience, for a 6 month term, and have you do anything remotely technical. |
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| trdcelica |
| omg fuck cst is so fucking horrible |
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| Jord@n |
quote:
Originally posted by trdcelica
omg fuck cst is so fucking horrible
Thanks for your input...:confused: :blink: :dunno:
If you expect your comment to have any contribution to the thread you might wanna back it up with some facts or reasons why you believe this, not just a one-liner bashing the program. |
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| Honda_Finatic |
quote:
Originally posted by superspeed
hmm i got 6 months to kill before i get into the programs, does anyone know any places hiring? computer related? anything?
If you are A+ Certified, then u can pretty much find work anywhere doing pc repair and upgrade. Aside from that, u might have to go to a call center like convergys or dell |
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| TrevorK |
quote:
Originally posted by Honda_Finatic
If you are A+ Certified, then u can pretty much find work anywhere doing pc repair and upgrade. Aside from that, u might have to go to a call center like convergys or dell
I believe A+ is a pre-req. for best buy / future shop if you want to do hardware repair there.... |
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| Honda_Finatic |
^^^Yes it is a pre-req.
I meant if he didnt have A+ certification and wanted a computer related position, he should look to a call center. |
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