Future of Computer professionals

Hey Guys,

I am actually a graduate with a Degree in Business Administration and diploma in Hotel Management. But big mistake not my field and I hate my job. I have always loved computers though I have never been into programming and I am thinking of a career change into computers. I need your advise to what is hot or lets say what will be hot in a year's time, so I can learn that. The aim is to both enjoy my work, cause I like working alone and to make the six figures.

I know HTML and am learing Javascript just for fun,love playing with graphics and pictures using Paintshop pro and Photoshop, trying to get a trial version of Macromedia Generator. But need serious advise as to what I should learn that will be selling in a year's time.

Also do you think learning XML can give me a future, and what are the possibilities in E-commerce and what all do I need to learn for that.

Thankyou

If You are talking about web-programming then there are 2 things:

1)XML - good specialists will be needed soon.
2)Flash - there's a real shortage of good flash designers who can also code actionscript

regards,
martin

Nomad,

here's my advise: learn as much as you can! a good flash actionscripter is rare, so that *is* a good direction to go right now...but for web in general, you really need to know as much as possible to be competitive...but i agree w/ linuxaator, xml is a good place to start. asp, php, dhtml, javascript, and perl are good ones to know, too...there's just so much (lord knows i'm trying to learn them all). just remember that portfolio and skill set are everything. just don't stop learning, because if you do, you'll become low man on the food chain. ;)

just my two cents...

jason ;)

Nomad,

Lots of people get started in computers through different avenues. Good of you to think ahead, but don't get caught up too much in "what's hot and what's not". I'm not saying they aren't cool and aren't worthwhile, but hit the basics first and you'll be happier in the long run.

Learn as much as you can, but concentrate in the following areas:

Presentation: HTML, DHTML, CSS, Graphics, FLASH, etc.

Manipulation: JavaScript, VBScript, SSI, CGI (Perl is fine)

*Data Access: .asp, .php, .jsp, .cfm, CGI (language doesn't matter as long as it is compatible with your database).

*This is the one that really seperates the men from the boys...so many people forget that the real importance in computers is accessing/manipulating/presenting data stored in a database. I know a bunch of guys who can design cool pages, but the pages are nothing but fluff, no real guts.

To be successful, you will need at least some expertise in each of these areas. Where you choose to focus is up to you.

If you really want a starting point, ColdFusion would be a good way to go since it encapsulates every facet. Also, CF Developers are in pretty high demand.

Best of Luck,
Joel