10 years from now...

10 years from now? I would like to have a job that can sustain me with all my needs. And if I have a family by that time, I would like that job of mine to sustain my family. And preferably, I would like that job to be connected with Information Technology, because that’s why I’m writing this post and why I’m enrolled in this course (BSIT, of course, hehe). I’d like my job ten years from now to be connected with the IT field, because that’s why I’m taking up BS Info. Tech. here in USeP, so I can get a job that can relate to information technology.

Actually, I have many desires and ambitions in life. When I was a kid, everything that I knew how to do, I thought I could do, if I just strive hard and kind of master it. I even put in my ambition in our yearbook when was in kindergarten: “I want to be a soldier.”. Everything that interested me had a reserved ambition in the back of my head. Even for the information technology field, I have many desires. I think any kind of job that’s connected with information technology interests me. I think I’m just gonna enlist here all of the jobs that I look upon ten years from now. I’m not being ambitious or anything, but I think it’s good if you have a kind of goal inside of you that motivates you to do the things that you have to do now to achieve that goal.

Computer Programmer:
This is the nature of the job’s work.

Computer programmers write, test, debug, and maintain the detailed instructions, called computer programs that computers must follow to perform their functions. Programmers also conceive, design, and test logical structures for solving problems by computer. Many technical innovations in programming — advanced computing technologies and sophisticated new languages and programming tools — have redefined the role of a programmer and elevated much of the programming work done today. Job titles and descriptions may vary, depending on the organization.

I’m not that really good at programming, but I like programming. Every time you develop a source code for a program and your program works successfully, you get a feeling that you’re a genius because you just made your own program. But being a programmer isn’t an easy job, what with all the memorizing of syntax and the debugging, etc, that a programmer has to do. And you just don’t have to develop only programming skills, but also social skills, because sometimes, you have to work as a team with fellow programmers. You have to settle arguments between yourselves and you have to agree on different things and set aside your own ideas for the better ideas of others.

Network Administrator:
I got this definition of a Network Administrator from a popular site.

Network administrator is a modern profession responsible for the maintenance of computer hardware and software that comprises a computer network. This normally includes the deployment, configuration, maintenance and monitoring of active network equipment. A related role is that of the network specialist, or network analyst, who concentrates on network design and security.
Because also of my interest in computer hardware and how computers interconnect with each other, I have a desire to be a network administrator. I would like being in–charge with a company’s or school’s network topography, and I want to find ways on how to speed up their Internet connection. I also like this because I like to tinker with electronic equipment, and this where to go because this job is connected with hardware, and also is related to Information Technology.

Systems Analyst:
A systems analyst is responsible for researching, planning, coordinating and recommending software and system choices to meet an organization's business requirements. The systems analyst plays a vital role in the systems development process. A successful systems analyst must acquire four skills: analytical, technical, managerial, and interpersonal. Analytical skills enable systems analysts to understand the organization and its functions, which helps him/her to identify opportunities and to analyze and solve problems. Technical skills help systems analysts understand the potential and the limitations of information technology. The systems analyst must be able to work with various programming languages, operating systems, and computer hardware platforms. Management skills help systems analysts manage projects, resources, risk, and change. Interpersonal skills help systems analysts work with end users as well as with analysts, programmers, and other systems professionals.

Because they must write user requests into technical specifications, the systems analysts are the liaisons between vendors and the IT professionals of the organization they represent. They may be responsible for developing cost analysis, design considerations, and implementation time-lines. They may also be responsible for feasibility studies of a computer system before making recommendations to senior management.

That’s what a systems analyst does. I like this kind of job because it is challenging because of the required skills for it. And I think I can attain all those skills (analytical, technical, management and interpersonal skills), if I just focus on my studies and if I train myself.

Database Administrator (DBA):
Got this next definition again, from another popular site(which I’m going to put in the References part of this post):

A database administrator (DBA) is a person responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance and repair of an organization's database. They are also known by the titles Database Coordinator or Database Programmer, and is closely related to the Database Analyst, Database Modeler, Programmer Analyst, and Systems Manager. The role includes the development and design of database strategies, monitoring and improving database performance and capacity, and planning for future expansion requirements. They may also plan, co-ordinate and implement security measures to safeguard the database. Employing organizations may require that a database administrator have a certification or degree for database systems (for example, the Microsoft Certified Database Administrator).
I have a particular interest in databases. I like to make queries with databases. I want to make systems that include a database/s in them. And I also want to manage and maintain a cool-looking system that lets you search, edit, delete and add entries, whatever those entries are. That’s why I also visualize myself having a job like this years from now.

Web Developer:
A web developer is a software developer or software engineer who is specifically engaged in the development of World Wide Web applications, or distributed network applications that are run over the HTTP protocol from a web server to a web browser.

I had a crash course in web development almost half a year ago, with my friends John David de Peralta, Jan Neil Gador, Jan Ray Suriba and Jalil Paniamba-an. It was all about web development, and I thought I lacked skill there because my colleagues were already ahead of me academically. We made use of Php, MySql and PhotoShop there. And our teacher, Sir Dennes, also showed us hot to upload our files to the Net using FTP. Back then, I didn’t know how to operate databases yet. But now that I’ve learned, my interest in web development grew more and more.

I love the Internet. I love how it gives you information with just a few clicks on your mouse. And I love also how the Internet works, like when you click a hyperlink, you are redirected to another page. And what with the different services that the Internet offers now. Social networking sites, e-commerce sites, video and audio streaming, and many more. You can almost find everything in the Internet. You can even find your next husband/wife in it through dating sites. I’d like to come up with another idea for another site that is different from other sites right now and make money out of it, hehe.

Game Developer:
I can’t deny the fact that I really like computer games. I like games on SuperNes, Famicom, Sega, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Xbox, Nintendo Wii, PC-Games, online games and many, many more. It has always interested me on what the behind-the-scenes are when you’re making a video game. Sometimes, I get annoyed by the Japanese, because they make such good games with good graphics, like Tekken 6. I’d like to design my own game, be in charge with the game programming, the game plot, the characters’ designs, the gameplay, all of it! (Although all of these sounds impossible to do for only one person)

Everyone has his/her own strategies in reaching his/her goals in life. I myself have my own strategies; it’s just a matter of implementing these strategies in the right place and at the right time. Or I think we have to keep these strategies in mind all the time while focusing in what we want to obtain or what we want to be in life. Here are some of the strategies that I’m gonna be applying in life so I won’t get lost,hehe.

My Strategies:
Study Hard:
If I study and gain knowledge about many things about the field that I am into, then there is the possibility that I am more probable to be hired because of the skills that I have and know. If I have those skills, then I will use those to be able to reach my goals in life, and to be a better IT professional. Here in the University of Southeastern Philippines, you are really pushed to study hard, because the standards from our teachers here are high. And of course, we students should not be intimidated by these standards. Instead, we should accept and consider these as a challenge for us to be better IT students. And we should not always rely on what our professors teach us, because not knowledge will come from them. We should also study on our own. We should research on our own. And we should be curious and we should be updated about new trends and things pertaining to IT (especially because in the technological world, almost every month, there is always a change). We should study about new software and how to operate it; new technology that we should be aware of; and other stuff.

Discipline Myself:
All of the knowledge you have doesn’t count if you don’t discipline yourself. Discipline is very crucial to be a successful IT professional. Just by not letting yourself be late at school is a way of disciplining yourself. And that also goes when you have a job. Because you’re responsible for yourself now, you have to discipline yourself. You have to balance your work and your “extra-curricular” activities. It’s really ok to enjoy, only you have to limit yourself. I’m not being “perfect” here, but I really think that it’s the right thing to do.

Work Hard:
Working hard is very essential in being an IT professional because, I think, almost everyone needs to work hard in every job that they get. So no difference for IT professionals, right? If we work hard, it is more likely that we would get promoted in our job. In short, working hard will get us rewards.


After I graduate (and I will, or I must), I’ll find a job depending on the skills that I have. Actually, I’ve been observing and reading in newspapers and job fairs about the current job requirements for programmers and other possible jobs that are connected with IT, and depending on what I find out, I’m going to study or, better, I’m gonna train myself with those skills they need, or specific programs that they require their applicants to be knowledgeable of..

Or if I can still sustain myself, or my parents also want to, I can still continue to study after I graduate. I can still attend trainings, seminars and also vocational courses that can give me additional knowledge that will add up to my credentials when I apply for a job. I could take up courses that could teach me about computer hardware, trainings for graphics design, website-making and lots and lots of stuff connected to IT.

Also, my cousin in Cebu always tells me that after I graduate, I should go and work there, because the IT industry there is booming. Their IT Park is really good, and also her husband works there, as QA (don’t know if I’m right, but his job is about technical assistance), so I have “backers” there, if I need help, hehe. But if I were to work in Cebu, eventually, I would still go back to Davao, ‘coz it’s where my heart belongs. And if the IT scene here in Davao will boom years after I graduate and by the time that I have the skills necessary for a job, then I why no t work here? All my friends and loved ones are here, so why I won’t get homesick.

Of course, when I graduate, I won’t be “maarte” and be choosy with jobs. It’s okay for me if it’s not a very high-paying job, as long as it can sustain my needs. It’s better if you start from the bottom, and work your way up to the top, so we can experience what your workers’ needs are if you are at the top.

I can’t be sure of all that I have posted here, because I really don’t know what might happen in the years to come. Maybe I’ll get married early, or maybe some relative will want us to migrate. Or I might inherit a big fortune from a long lost grandfather and won’t need to work for myself and just put up a business. I just don’t know what’s gonna happen to me during those ten years of my life. All I know is I’m gonna do the best I can to get a good-paying job or even start a business, so I can help my family with all the expenses in the house. And also to support the needs of my family, if I have one.