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OldDutch · 01-31-2022, 12:14 PM

For what it's worth. I went to to MRC (now MRU) and took Computer Information Systems. I started in the late 90s as an aimless kid who went to college cause all my friends went to U of C and took business and I didn't want to be a "loser" (that was the mindset in my group of friends) and work with only HS. I also loved programming and saw it frankly as the only thing I could do in post-secondary, and get a job that also made good money (I liked money too).

Honestly I struggled hard. I was a solid average student in high school. I failed C++ a couple of times. I left MRC, took a year off, worked in a tech job, and came back. Struggled some more on my second stint. If I went to U of C I would have dropped out for sure.

Yet I passed, with a solid B- average, and lots of practical skills like .NET 1.0 which no one had then. It was enough to get my first post grad job.

However, a funny thing happened when I started working. I had two skills I didn't even know fully. I work my tail off, and I am extremely good with people. Nothing related to technology only. I love business as much as tech.

Around 13 years ago, my career really took off. I was a person who could bring tech and business together. I just needed to get that paper to get me the experience to show companies what I could do. Now I feel amongst that same group of friends, that I am at the same earnings level, or likely higher than some of them. Which I deep down am proud of, as I was known as low achiever back in the day.

If you son is unmotivated, I was too. I say let him go and try. The point may not be the programming/tech degree. He may hustle hard, and get further than he ever thought possible. Some days I am not sure how I am having the career I have had, but the degree (not school) partly unlocked that.

Last, I am totally open to this if you or your son want to chat just PM me. I am quite passionate about helping younger people in the spot I was know what can be on the other side, and what it took me to get there. Either way good luck to your son and am rooting for him.

01-31-2022, 12:14 PM	#21
OldDutch #1 Goaltender Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North of the River, South of the Bluff Exp:	For what it's worth. I went to to MRC (now MRU) and took Computer Information Systems. I started in the late 90s as an aimless kid who went to college cause all my friends went to U of C and took business and I didn't want to be a "loser" (that was the mindset in my group of friends) and work with only HS. I also loved programming and saw it frankly as the only thing I could do in post-secondary, and get a job that also made good money (I liked money too). Honestly I struggled hard. I was a solid average student in high school. I failed C++ a couple of times. I left MRC, took a year off, worked in a tech job, and came back. Struggled some more on my second stint. If I went to U of C I would have dropped out for sure. Yet I passed, with a solid B- average, and lots of practical skills like .NET 1.0 which no one had then. It was enough to get my first post grad job. However, a funny thing happened when I started working. I had two skills I didn't even know fully. I work my tail off, and I am extremely good with people. Nothing related to technology only. I love business as much as tech. Around 13 years ago, my career really took off. I was a person who could bring tech and business together. I just needed to get that paper to get me the experience to show companies what I could do. Now I feel amongst that same group of friends, that I am at the same earnings level, or likely higher than some of them. Which I deep down am proud of, as I was known as low achiever back in the day. If you son is unmotivated, I was too. I say let him go and try. The point may not be the programming/tech degree. He may hustle hard, and get further than he ever thought possible. Some days I am not sure how I am having the career I have had, but the degree (not school) partly unlocked that. Last, I am totally open to this if you or your son want to chat just PM me. I am quite passionate about helping younger people in the spot I was know what can be on the other side, and what it took me to get there. Either way good luck to your son and am rooting for him.