[plug] [OT] After Year 12

[Marc Wiriadisastra]

I would have to say I agree with Arie 100% its exactly what I did I'm 27 
now and running a company going to list on the stock exchange or in the 
process of it.  So yeah bit of committment I would have made decissions 
differently had I had my time over again however I don't so you make the 
decissions now and try to speed up the process hence all my questions on 
here.

One thing I would add as well is 3 simple questions that someone told me.

Where would you like to be? What would you like to do? What would you 
like to be doing?

For me I wanted to be the boss of a big company and rich and be able to 
not have to work and be a dad.  So far I've done most of those the rich 
part I'm not there yet.  I'll donate to your cause on sourceforge. :P

Do whatever it takes and I don't mean job I mean everything that answers 
those 3 questions.

HTH,
Marc

Arie Hol wrote:

>(To P.L.U.G. Members : this is quite a long one, my critics may not want to read this)
>
>Hello Tim,
>
>In your email you have made some profound statements about your self and your abilities, and I 
>perceive that you are a talented young man with a sure dedication to your skills and abilities, 
>however you show some uncertainty about your future. 
>
>At your age that is not such a bad thing, but because you have stopped to ask yourself some very 
>meaningful questions about your future and aired your thoughts to the people who subscribe to this 
>this list - I think you deserve some sound advice.
>
>I am not sure that my advice can be considered the best, but I will try to provoke some more 
>thought on your part, by dissecting your call for guidance and answering from my personal 
>experiences. 
>
>If some of my comments seem to be a bit harsh please forgive my approach - if I'm wrong you can 
>tell me in ten years time.
>
>  
>
>>As some of you may know I have a passion in computers,
>>    
>>
>
>Passions can fade, and the reality that remains can be disastrous with long term affects.
>
>  
>
>>Since then I have picked up a greater desire to program and am often 
>>found spending a whole weekend developing an application[1] instead of 
>>doing study or homework.
>>    
>>
>
>There is more to life than being a "code monkey".
>
>  
>
>>I don't enjoy study or homework unless it is on 
>>a computer. I am alright at Calculus[2] and Applicable maths. I am also 
>>doing physics, geography and English all of which I can do if I study 
>>harder.
>>    
>>
>
>Your whole existence and survival will depend on your ability to learn and adapt to changing 
>circumstances - it never ends - it just gets more diverse and far reaching
>
>  
>
>>I have topped WA in the UNSW Computer Competition 3 out of 4 years so I 
>>am confident that I have skills in the computer area apart from the fact 
>>that I enjoy it heaps.
>>    
>>
>
>Some proof of your talent and dedication - driven by your passion.
>
>  
>
>>Apart from the fact that I hate school and am not looking forward to the 
>>upcoming TEE exams I am still going to do them. 
>>    
>>
>
>Exams are important to your progress, but are not worth worrying about - they only show what you 
>don't know and have not learnt. There are much worse tests and trials in life that you cannot study 
>or prepare for - they can eventuate without any prior warning.
>
>  
>
>>What I am writing this for is guidance. I really enjoy programming especially when it can help 
>>someone else other than just me. I am not sure of what to do after year 12.
>>    
>>
>
>It's great  to see that you like to help other people, but will they help you pay your bills and 
>meet your commitments (tomorrow, next month or in ten years time).
>
>  
>
>>I know that there is Computer Science and Software Enginerring that I 
>>can do at Uni but I'm not sure if I want to.
>>    
>>
>
>There are many "computing" related degree courses available, Computer Science being the most 
>traditional. But, is it the most relevant? - We live in a changing world - new technologies will 
>emerge and some will merge with others and some will disappear over the next few years. Consider 
>security based technologies, bioinformatics, personal identification and validation systems to just 
>mention a few - where will you fit in these scenarios - you have the passion, dedication, 
>initiative and the talent - but you may also need the background - this may be based on your 
>education.
>
>
>  
>
>>I also know that I can't live off prgramming for the Open Source 
>>community unless my work is so good that donations come pouring in or I 
>>get commercial customers [3]
>>    
>>
>
>Donations are great - but will they suffice as an adequate reward for a lifetime of work.
>
>  
>
>>[1] As most of you can't know I am developing a web based chat client 
>>similar to IRC which will soon be found at http://ihcc.sourceforge.net 
>>(In the next week or so) or for an old version 
>>    
>>
>
>More proof of your talent, initiative and dedication.
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>In summary, going to uni is about more than just a piece of paper, it says something about your 
>character and your personality, as well as the ability to make a serious commitment to your self 
>and seeing it through to reach your stated objectives. It is not a beginning - nor is it an ending, 
>it is just another stepping stone in the life of Tim White.
>
>It is my guess that because you have the good sense to stop and ask profound questions of yourself 
>and also to ask your peers on this list for guidance, that you do care about your self and I 
>predict  that you again will ask the same profound questions of yourself in ten years time. If you 
>make the right choices now - then the answers will unfold as you go through life and you may never 
>need to ask those questions again. 
>
>Some background, I worked as a Rigger and a Scaffolder in the oil and construction industries for 
>over 25 years, but due to work related injuries I was forced onto a disability pension 13 years 
>ago.
>
>I was bored sh**tless, so I went to TAFE and learned about computers and programming, it was not a 
>passion for me - it was an obsession. I eventually got my Diploma, but with declining health it was 
>difficult for me to convince prospective employers of my potential as an employee. So I went on to 
>uni -"hahahahaha" I said. 
>
>Well I was offered a place at Murdoch in 1999, and my life took on a new meaning - even though I 
>felt terribly out of place due to my age. 
>
>Well, I got to know a lot of talented young people such as yourself, and I stand in awe of what 
>some of them have achieved over the last few years. Those that applied themselves and believed in 
>what they were doing - ALL had a choice of jobs before they had even graduated. There were some 
>that did not apply themselves - they took their talent and their place in society for granted - 
>most of them are either unemployed or working in second rate jobs (not necessarily IT related).
>
>I am now 54 years of age and can look back and admit to my mistakes( and suffer in silence) I can 
>also gloat about my successes in life - but hey, I was lucky - I have three great kids (all adults 
>now ) and a great Mrs. I have a nice home and a regular pension. I am still hopeful of a future in 
>IT. (If my luck doesn't run out)
>
>So Tim, keep your options open and at all times gain the high ground, it will give you a wider view 
>of the horizons in your life.
>
>You have got what it takes to get wherever and whatever you want in life, but you must believe in 
>yourself and make the commitment soon. And I mean real soon.
>
>Good luck and best wishes, I look forward to hearing from you in ten years time. I know where I 
>will be, how about you?
>
>If my words have offended, accept my apology - my words are intended to provoke thought.
>
>Regards Arie
>  
>
>>--------------------------------------------------------------<
>>    
>>
> For the concert of life, nobody has a program.
>  
>
>>--------------------------------------------------------------<
>>    
>>
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>  
>