Question to computer experts about current career trends

[graywarrior]

OK, so I'm completing my degree and am planning on taking some graphic art courses after I finish the lowly intro to computers course required to take the rest of the curriculum.

Any recommendations as to what is current for jobs, etc. By the way, my website is http://www.mediaprima.com/graywarrior

I don't know if I should stay on the graphics art or consider a more technical direction.

[SlackJawedYokel]

1. Go more technical with your classes.

In fact, learn to program... Actionscript at minimu.
And then whatever else you think you can handle.
You'll be more appealing to employers.
Make sure you know how to use Photoshop with speed, skill and creativity.
Illustrator and InDesign if you want to do paper, Dreamweaver/Fireworks/Flash if you want to do web.

You're drawing/illustrating skills look fine, so I'd work on making sure your color theory chops are as good as well as your basic design skills.
Good graphic design is as much about what *not* to do as much as creating something new and different.

Good luck.

Cletus

[FloridaPat]

2. Pretty good advice above. Don't get too into programming. Too many

jobs going overseas. Photoshop etc are really good things to get good at.

I've 25 years experience in programming. Artist at heart. Go with your heart. You'll be much happier. Also, take some business and marketing courses. If you can run your own business, you will be in better shape financially.

[graywarrior]

3. Thank you. You have no idea how this helps me.

[SKKY]

4. I've been following this trend for quite a while now...

...and am convinced that, Linux Administrators will continue to be in very high demand. Also, network security (gotta have lots of real world experience) experts command top dollar.

[graywarrior]

5. How long is schooling for Linux?

[SKKY]

7. Well, there's no schooling, per se, but there are several courses...

...you could take that would get you on the right track. Linux+, LPI, or Red Hat Certified Engineer are the industry standards for Linux Certification. RHCE is probably the most popular because it's so hard- very, very hard in fact. But, if you get, or get access to, a couple of boxes, load Linux on them and start playing around with things like Samba, Apache, NFS, etc, then take the course, you should do fine. The program I'm in at University of Maryland offers Linux Shell scripting and programming classes, so that may be an option worth looking into.

[bemildred]

6. Ditto those two.

If you wanna be a techy track type, Security and Linux
(drivers, kernel hacking, and system/network admin) appear
to be excellent skillz. Oh, and did I say Security is good?

[graywarrior]

8. Now I'm lost.

This is all good advice, but some of it is over my head.