Career Path trouble

[BatSloth]

I am 17 about to be 18, I need help with figuring out what to do. I love computers, I started taking things apart and putting it together when I was like 8. I started with an XBOX 360 controller that I broke (I fixed it), now I can build my own computer. Everything I know at the moment is self-taught. I wanna go into a career that involves working with electronics. Like ranging from designing new electronic devices to fixing them. I would also like a decent pay in the long run. Any suggestions or ideas?

 

[Gam3r01]

I dont know what your plans are, and Im not going to be one of those people that insists on college, but it is an option.
Now that is out of the way:

I was in a similar boat to you, worked on computers, fixed them for people locally, built my own, etc. In addition, I was (am) a prolific poster here on the forums during that time. Since I enjoyed it I went to college for computer engineering.

As you can see by my signature, obviously thats not what Im doing now. I hated it. It was nothing near what I expected or what I wanted to do. So I went with my other passion and am exponentially happier. This hasnt stopped me from working on PCs or posting on here helping people out.

Take a look around at programs locally or at some other school potentially. Look into some basic online coding classes (free if you can). Note: If you plan on just doing hardware work, like I did, you will be sorely dissapointed with the track you have to take.

If you want to do something in the professional field in regards to designing electronics, well, how good is your understanding of math and physics?

 

[Scottray]

The traditional college bound path would be electronics engineering, computer engineering, software engineering or computer science. Be ready for lots of calculus. This is the path that will more likely lead you to design. An alternative path is going to a technical school where they have associates and bachelor degrees. These programs are generally more hands on and rely on less math and theory than a university degree. This a good path if you want to get into manufacturing electronics, maintaining/repairing complex equipment, network/system administration, etc.

 

[BatSloth]

I wanna go to college, I just know a lot of things when it comes to modern technology are misinterpreted. Like computer engineering. It sounds perfect, but I doubt it is. I okay in math, pretty much avoided calculus throughout high school.

 

[Gam3r01]

It is very heavy on calculus and physics, and not the fun kind of calculus the bad kind, vectors and whatnot.

My advice:
Pick your school, there are many reasons besides your proposed major to pick a school.
Get into the program you want. Look at the requirements, can you do it? Is the workload reasonable? Talk to your advisers.
College is not some set in stone plan, spend your first couple of quarters (or semesters depending on your school) to figure things out.
Once you have picked your ideal program, and you have gone through half a year of it look back. Did it work for you? Can you handle it? Are you having fun?

If any of those last questions are no, then you should probably look into change.

I was 2 quarters deep into computer engineering before I switched majors, started this major the third (last) quarter of the year. I am still on track to graduate on time (4 years). This was almost 2 years ago now, and I have zero regrets.

 

[jacobweaver800]

I am 17 about to be 18, I need help with figuring out what to do. I love computers, I started taking things apart and putting it together when I was like 8. I started with an XBOX 360 controller that I broke (I fixed it), now I can build my own computer. Everything I know at the moment is self-taught. I wanna go into a career that involves working with electronics. Like ranging from designing new electronic devices to fixing them. I would also like a decent pay in the long run. Any suggestions or ideas?

Try getting a job at your local tech shop (if you have one), it won't be a super long term job, but it will definitely be a start. Most places won't hire you unless you have some experience logged. Then maybe try a trade school or college for an IT Technician or something of the sort.

 

[BatSloth]

I wanna just goto a simple 2 years of community college, and get on to a job. I get two years free, so depending on what I do I might go onto four years

 

[jacobweaver800]

I wanna just goto a simple 2 years of community college, and get on to a job. I get two years free, so depending on what I do I might go onto four years

Thats not a bad idea, do some looking around to find what you want to do the most and then look into colleges that have that course.