My Career After Secondary School
Excellent Student
GLC2O1-05
Campbell
Careers Course
Culminating Activity
The Necessity of Programmers
In a few decades, we have gone from this,
To this,
Bell Howell BF 705
To things like this,
A Samsung Slim Slider
with 1.3 megapixel
camera
Kodak Brownie Hawkeye, a camera of the
1950’s
As you can see, our
technology is improving
very quickly. As the
hardware changes, we
need people who are
able to create new and
better software for it.
What Does a Programmer Do?
Programmers do many different tasks for
various clients. Some are employed by
software companies or other businesses.
Some are even self-employed. In general,
they:
• Find out the needs of their clients
• Design a program to meet those needs
• Write the code into the computer and test it
– If it doesn’t work, they “debug” it or try working out the
problems and test it again
What Does It Pay?
• An entry level programmer with a Bachelor
of Computer Science can earn from
$30 000 to $40 000 a year
• Some can even make around $70 000 per
annum.
What Is the Job Like?
• A lot of time spent alone with a computer
• However, there is also many meetings
with other programmers
• Although the job can be rewarding, it has
its stresses
Pros and Cons of the Job
Pros
Cons
• Creating something new
and innovative can give a
person a sense of
accomplishment
• The hours are reasonable:
40-50 a week
• The pay is quite good
• It’s what I want to do, so as
long as I am happy being a
programmer, I will be one
• Strict deadlines
• Putting in extra hours, even
pulling “all-nighters”, to
finish work
• Possible neck, back, and
eye stress
• Long hours of not moving
Education
• At least a Bachelor of Computer Science
• I hope to get a Master’s degree in
Computer Science and then possibly a
Ph.D.
• I want to go to the University of Toronto or
the University of Waterloo
• I will take courses using Cooperative
Education
Special Skills
• A logical and creative thinker to make
intricate programs for different purposes
• Able to concentrate for a long time
• Very familiar with the process of software
design
• Good communication skills
– Both written and verbal
Related Jobs
• Computer Trainer
• Database Developer
• Computer Network Specialist
• Requirements for these jobs are similar to a
Computer Programmer
– May be possible to transfer into these jobs if I find I
don’t like being a Programmer
Reflections
• I have learned a lot from the Careers course
like
– How it is very important to budget properly
– The proper method to write a resume and
act during an interview
– How I will attain my goal in life of becoming
a successful Computer Programmer
• I have enjoyed this course and believe I am
now better equipped for my future career
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