In Search of Wisdom

I am an upcoming college graduate with a bachelor's in Information Systems.

I have a pretty extensive background in HTML, graphic design, flash, dreamweaver etc.

To make myself as employable as possible, where does everyone suggest I should start as I jump into the data-driven world of e-commerce, data driven sites, etc.

I will have some experience with orracle and access with SQL at school, but I'm looking to focus more on the web.

I'd like to stick to the Dreamweaver environment and learn how to develop data driven websites, but there is so much out there I need some guidance as where to start. ASP, PHP, SQL, MySQL and I could go on and on.

Could someone(s) please share your years of experiences with a young designer? Any suggestions on what to focus on? Websites or books to get started with?

Any help is greatly appreciated in advance!

I highly recommend extensive knowledge in PHP and MySQL as those technologies seem to be gaining a lot of momentum as far as internet usage is concerned.

PHP is a very useful technology. I don't have such great things to say about MySQL, unfortunately. I personally think PostgreSQL has a brighter future, for the long term. I know MySQL has ridden the DotCom bubble through the end of the 90s, but I think it is becoming abundantly clear that it has a limited place where real business data is concerned.

Anyway, the real point of your question is wisdom. In the business of dealing with computers, you don't get wisdom by focusing on products, but on concepts. I wouldn't be surprised if 95% of your I.S. degree focused on learning products like Java, Oracle, Windows2000, etc... rather than core concepts. It is time to do some of your own research and reading.

Learn what procedural programming and Object-Oriented programming is really all about (and a little about all the other philosophies and methodologies available); learn what relational database systems and SQL are really all about (hint: MySQL implements very few of those relational concepts--in fact SQL in general doesn't really implement them all). If you learn the concepts, they can apply to many situations. If you just learn the products, you will always be worrying about what is going to be the popular technology next year.

Here is the point: I know that for many people wanting to get into computing "theory" is an ugly word. They would rather focus on the "practical" side. However, a certain amount of theory is the most practical thing in the world, if you bother to pursue it. If nothing else, theory helps show you how much crap is out there and how much of it you can afford to ignore. (lots of it, trust me...) Learn the concepts, and the details of different products and languages will be just... details.

I would recommend going the PHP MySQL route as well. ASP is great but is much more easily learned after learning and getting the hang of PHP. Look around on the web watch the trends PHP is definitely pumped up and ready to go. I see a lot more resources online for PHP as well, which will help you get up and going faster and increase your chances for success.

Great stuff guys- This is excellent advice..

Any continued help is great!

I'll check into PHP more..