Did I choose to study the wrong Programming technology (asp.NET)?

I'm currently taking a course on asp.net. the c# part was very fun but now that I am getting into all the details of asp.net I wonder if writing the code for web controls is the type of stuff that I want to be doing for who knows how many years to come. I think it's great that in this course hopefully I'll learn how to create 'advanced' web pages, but at the same time I think that working in an environment where I'm building non-web related applications is something that I would enjoy doing a bit more.

However, given that I've been unemployed for many months and that my main goal right now is to learn a current technology so I can find a job, I wonder whether the asp.net knowledge is the way to go even if web development is not the part of computer programming that excites me the most.

if I am not mistaken the number of companies that need to hire people to take care of their web sites is much higher than the number of companies that want to hire a guy to build them an application, so I am under the impression that as an asp.net developer my chances of finding meaningful employment would be a lot higher than if I were to learn something else, and I say this not only because of my perception that there are more web development jobs than windows application development jobs but also because web development jobs are probably relatively less competitive. (I think this is an important point to keep in mind given that my professional programming experience is pretty much worthless: archaic technology, maintenance programming.) And then, once I have some relevant programming experience under my belt, even if it's web development, I can hopefully move towards other areas that I personally find more rewarding.

But I need to know, is my reasoning correct?

Is there in fact relatively high demand for people with solid knowledge of asp.net?

Or am I wasting my time learning something that is not going to be of any real use to me and that is going to leave me in the same position I am in right now?

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Originally Posted by y99q

Is there in fact relatively high demand for people with solid knowledge of asp.net?

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The answer to this is only relevant if it applies to the area in which you are seeking for a job, so telling us where you intend to work could help, e.g., if one of the members here happens to be familiar with the tech job market in that area.

Learning a programming language is always a good thing, as it gives you experience in both programming in general and a specific language.
I wouldn't say it would be useless. But if it will be much help later is debatable.
Regardless, having more languages under your belt is always a "+", so don't think of this course as a waste of time.

Goddamnit it's hard out there right now. I wish you all the luck in the world man, because I know that when I get out there I'll need all the blessings I can get.

But I have a question for you, what's wrong with archaic technology? At least, if it's mainframe (like cobol, etc) stuff you're talking about, IBM actually scouts my school like crazy looking for new mainframe talent. Unbelievably, that market seems to be going up, as grey haired progammers retire or kick the bucket. Many companies (credit card companies is a notable) use mainframe technology and have no desire to move to different platforms (if it ain't broke...).

I actually took a c++ course with an older guy who had tons of mainframe experience. I asked why he was taking the course, and he was like, "I'm out of work." So a quick scan of craig's list showed TONS of high paying mainframe work near us. I inquire further, and he says, "I don't want to relocate". :rolleyes:

I could be way off base, but I just thought I'd throw you an example of the "where" being more important than the "what".