Computer Professions

[Mimichan]

Is it possible to be a programmer or a web developer/designer..etc., if you're not good at math? I would like to go back to school and get a degree of some sorts working with computers, but my math is horrible. Just how important is the whole Boolean-a-whozit anyway? Is it merely stuff they force you to do in the classroom but that you'll never deal with in the real world?

Ya know, I love computers. I love the idea of working with them...I love the idea of actually having some money. In fact, I can't think of any other (realistic) profession I would want to do or be any good at. There is of course my dream of becoming a Pulitzer prize winning Jpop Rock Star Seiyuu...but that's another story.

So, is there any hope for a mathematically illiterate person like me? And when I mean bad at math I mean BAD. Oh, I am not limited mentally to programming or web design. I would love some alternative PC careers that are in demand that require less 'rithmatic if anyone has suggestions.
Thank you

[TheMelodyMaker]

I'd say that you should know, at the very least, some basic math skills. If you want to program, though, you should have a good sense of logic as well. A really good programmer has to be able to think of every possible situation that the end user could get into and come up with a workaround for it.

Our more knowledgeable techies likely have more to say. ^_^

[shooraijin]

I stink at math.

Before I became an MD, I was a database programmer for two years, and I continued to do consulting and system management work for four years all the way through medical school. I didn't even have a degree in computer science or any formal training; I just happened to be in the right place at the right time to nail the job, and I had some friends who helped set it up.

I think programming is more about having a logical thought process about how a task should be accomplished, just like TMM said. Algorithm design is the heart of programming technique. You need to figure out how to get from point A to point B in the resources and programming paradigm you have available, and if you have that kind of skill in other ways, then I think you should have no problem with the mechanics.

One thing I did dislike about commercial programming is that I would have always been writing someone else's design. My job was actually in academic computing, and I had reasonably lax parameters to work within ("I want something to do X") and I was free to come up with my own way to accomplish it. Smaller companies might give you more leeway like this, but couldn't pay as well or offer you the same kinds of benefits. It's all in what you have available to you at the time.

Web design requires even less of this, but it's a hard job to find without a portfolio or demonstrated experience, and freelance web design is a hand-to-mouth (or maybe that's hand-to-mouse? ... kidding aside, though) existence like any kind of short term contract work.

[Technomancer]

It will depend on what you're doing. If it's stuff like people have mentioned (web design, database management, IT applications) then you probably won't need much beyond high school maths. However, as Melody mentioned, you ought to have some familiarity with logic (both as a way of thinking and as a mathematical form). Boolean algebra is pretty straightforward to learn and will come in handy sometimes, although its more complicated aspects are more likely to be used in digital design or software engineering. The most important skill in programming though is in knowing how to break a problem down properly.

However, when it comes to algortihm development, I'd still say that it will be very much worth your while to learn some higher maths. There are many problems that simply can't be solved without them, and it will be helpful in understanding the operation and limitations of some methods.

[Mithrandir]

You can get the kind of Job Shooby is talking about without the horrible pay. It's a question of being good at what you do. One thing that's for certain, however, you need to have either a degree or a portfolio that says you know what you say you know. Think of it this way, pay more or less followes needed skills...

Web Design = low skills / low pay
Web Server Administration = more skills / higher pay
Web Database integration/administration = more skills still, and... You get the idea.

Coming up with an idea, and then slapping it into Dreamweaver will only get you so far. Unless you know someone that wants to hire YOU specifically, you're going to have to demonstrate amazing design/construction (i.e., portfolio) or you will have to settle for less than wonderful jobs and pay.

If you want to do 3D design, I suggest you work on the math skills. Most game design that I did was entirely based on 3 dim calculus, and I hated every minute of it. I went into the system/database design/construction/administration field because I didn't want to constantly be dealing with other people's rogue code.

Bottom line: Find the aspect of computers that you like, and get skilled in that. A MCSE (*shudders*) can make decent money without knowing any math at all (must supress snide comments!!!) All they have to know is what Microsoft says is possible.

I have plenty of friends who are "Graphic Designers" who will take "Whatever work they can find." Likewise, I have a friend who is a system design manager who is "Still Looking For Work." (And has been for almost 2 years).

If you are more into the idea of having people work for you, consider MIS (management information systems). You get to tell the peon programmers what you want them to write.

That's about as scaled down as I can make it without more info as to what you want to do. Ask yourself this, "What do I want to be doing 5, 10 and 20 years from now?" Chances are we can help you look at a logical field that will get you where you want to go.