August 16, 2009

To whom it may Concern,

My name is Taylor Ciprick.  I am a high school dropout, and am 18-years old.  But, I am currently attending a Youth Challenge program.  It is a military-based camp that is teaching me discipline; integrity, courage, honor, and commitment, as well as helping me earn my GED.  This program has its own school four days a week.  The other three days of the week we go to life skills classes.  Because this program is also meant to teach a military lifestyle, we do a lot of military activities, like marching, eating MREs, as well as physical training three times a week.  Every day we get up at 5:00 a.m. and go to bed by 9:00 p.m.

Once I get through this program I will have a letter of recommendation from the adjunct general of the army and one from the Governor.  But, now to the main point of this letter, I am extremely interested in becoming a computer systems software engineer.  I was wondering what I would have to do to be that.  What colleges would be recommended?  What skills would I need?  And, would I have to major in computer science?  Please help me out and give me all the information I will need.  I will be enrolled in this program through December 13, 2009, and then I will be going to whatever college you recommend.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely, Taylor Ciprick

What advice do you have for Taylor?

Faculty, college students, ICT industry professionals what advice can you offer Mr. Ciprick?  Should he major in computer science?  What classes should he take that will best help him accomplish his career pathway, working towards a career as a computer systems software engineer?  What are the best colleges at the community and technical college-level?  This is your chance to help out Mr. Ciprick.