Here's the deal guys,
I've got an AAS with concentrations in PC Support, Information Assurance, and Networking.
HOWEVER
After not being able to find a PC related job in my area (within 50 miles) for the past year since I graduated, I have had a lot of time to reflect on my current situation. After doing extensive research on my options as far as taking a different path in life by going to a 4 year university and coming to the realization that there is no way in hell I can afford it due to my financial aid being dried up and not wanting to take out $100k+ in student loans, I had an epiphany. I decided to take a look at my transcript and looked at other majors at the local community college to see what I could put together that I may want to do. That's when it hit me. Programming! I thoroughly enjoyed the VB course that was required for me to take towards my current degree and actually considered changing my major at the time to programming. I looked at the programming requirements for graduating and voila... only 3 required courses and I could pick up that concentration.
NOW THE DILEMMA
The three requirements I will need to meet are as follows:
Advanced Database class
C++
Internship
I still have my VB book and can brush back up on those skills quite easily within a couple weeks. Database will be a bitch due to not having designed a database since my 2nd year in college which was a tad over 3 years ago but I can brush back up on that as well. The internship is not a big deal due to I already had to have one and I had a blast even though I was working for someone for no pay and wouldn't mind doing it again. The dilemma is the C++. I have NEVER had exposure to C++. Although the course at the school will most definitely be a crash course to gain the basic principles to allow me to build on them with experience, I would like to go into the class with SOME prior knowledge so I don't feel like a dumbass. Can someone point me in the directions of the best n00b books/learning materials so I can get the jist of stuff before spring?
Thanks Guys!
I've got an AAS with concentrations in PC Support, Information Assurance, and Networking.
HOWEVER
After not being able to find a PC related job in my area (within 50 miles) for the past year since I graduated, I have had a lot of time to reflect on my current situation. After doing extensive research on my options as far as taking a different path in life by going to a 4 year university and coming to the realization that there is no way in hell I can afford it due to my financial aid being dried up and not wanting to take out $100k+ in student loans, I had an epiphany. I decided to take a look at my transcript and looked at other majors at the local community college to see what I could put together that I may want to do. That's when it hit me. Programming! I thoroughly enjoyed the VB course that was required for me to take towards my current degree and actually considered changing my major at the time to programming. I looked at the programming requirements for graduating and voila... only 3 required courses and I could pick up that concentration.
NOW THE DILEMMA
The three requirements I will need to meet are as follows:
Advanced Database class
C++
Internship
I still have my VB book and can brush back up on those skills quite easily within a couple weeks. Database will be a bitch due to not having designed a database since my 2nd year in college which was a tad over 3 years ago but I can brush back up on that as well. The internship is not a big deal due to I already had to have one and I had a blast even though I was working for someone for no pay and wouldn't mind doing it again. The dilemma is the C++. I have NEVER had exposure to C++. Although the course at the school will most definitely be a crash course to gain the basic principles to allow me to build on them with experience, I would like to go into the class with SOME prior knowledge so I don't feel like a dumbass. Can someone point me in the directions of the best n00b books/learning materials so I can get the jist of stuff before spring?
Thanks Guys!
