152,
Depends what you are going to do and where. Junior programmers can be 12 -18K depending on location.
The job market is quiet at the moment, all thw whizz kids doing internet startups are out looking for jobs since the .com crash.
The biggest problem will be they want experience.
As for courses, what do you want to do ? If programming, everybody does
VB. C++ is more sought after but is not easy. If you want a MCSD (microsoft certified solutions developer) ists going to take about 4 courses (about 6k worth).
Good luck
[This message has been edited by under_exposed (edited 02 July 2001).]