How can I get a programming job?
I wanted to know how easy it is for someone to work his/her way into some
sort of programming career without having a college degree or any prior computer
programming employment experience. I have been teaching myself VB for around
9 months (basically studying/reading and programming for 1 to 3 hours per
day). In my current position it would be very hard to work my way through
college but I don't want my interest in programming and current knowledge
to go to waste. I would appreciate it if someone could help me out. I guess
I am wanting to know where I can start (for example: What type of job should
I start looking for?).
Thanks.
Re: How can I get a programming job?
Scott,
I hate to tell you that, but without a college degree or working experience,
it is next to impossible for you to get a programming job. Teaching
yourself how to program does not really count, in the eyes of the hiring
managers.
Some people here in this newsgroup had suggested to do free work for charity
organization. It is not a bad idea. But it is still not good enough to
most hiring managers. Since charity work are free, they don't care if your
work follows any standard or not; or worse, they don't care if you are
writing sphagetti code. But anyway, if this is your only alternative, make
sure you get into a project that requires a team of developers. Being able
to work in a team environment and being able to follow direction from a team
leader are good things to show to prospective employers.
Just wondering.... do you mind to share the reason why you cannot go to
school? Is it because you are married with bunch of kids or something?
Hope this helps.
simon.
"scott" <psmcmillan@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:3acb3691$1@news.devx.com...
>
> I wanted to know how easy it is for someone to work his/her way into some
> sort of programming career without having a college degree or any prior
computer
> programming employment experience. I have been teaching myself VB for
around
> 9 months (basically studying/reading and programming for 1 to 3 hours per
> day). In my current position it would be very hard to work my way through
> college but I don't want my interest in programming and current knowledge
> to go to waste. I would appreciate it if someone could help me out. I
guess
> I am wanting to know where I can start (for example: What type of job
should
> I start looking for?).
>
> Thanks.
Re: How can I get a programming job?
You didn't indicate what sort of work you are doing now; but if you can, try
to use your skills to do something to benefit your current employer. If
your employer has an IT group, try to get into it - many companies will give
people in your situation a chance.
I have a good friend who was able to use his computer skills in his current
job to automate several functions in his plant, saving his company a lot
of time and money. If you are in a position to do that, and you can keep
up and use the marketable technologies, you have a good chance.
But it is hard to get even an entry-level programming job with your particular
experience. Not impossible, but definitely challenging.
Another option is to get into a company that has a large IT group. Try to
get in at any level, mainly at a helpdesk or support level, even if it's
just answering phones. Or as a software tester. Let it be known what your
goals are, and keep working on your skills. If you do good work and have
good management, then you may get a shot within a couple of years. It's
a lot cheaper for companies to transfer someone into a group than to hire
someone off the street.
Good luck.
Re: How can I get a programming job?
I can relate. I started in the IT world with no degree and have progressed(I
think).
My lack of degree was due to the comittments of a military career. I did
however take the time to get a certificate from a technical school after
I got out. Just as Jeff suggested I got my start on the help desk. After
a few months there of writing small programs on my own I was given the chance
to work with the real toys. I paid attention to the senior programmers(those
that were not a**holes that is) and continued to learn.
A couple of years later after more experience I got an MCSD which helped
me learn even more and moved me into better jobs where I can get even more
experience.
It is difficult to get that start, but when you do, and can prove yourself,
it should be ok. I do still face the occasional short sited hiring manager
who will not even look at my resume without a BS, but I just laugh and find
another company(hopefully their competitor), it's their lose.
"scott" <psmcmillan@mindspring.com> wrote:
>
>I wanted to know how easy it is for someone to work his/her way into some
>sort of programming career without having a college degree or any prior
computer
>programming employment experience. I have been teaching myself VB for around
>9 months (basically studying/reading and programming for 1 to 3 hours per
>day). In my current position it would be very hard to work my way through
>college but I don't want my interest in programming and current knowledge
>to go to waste. I would appreciate it if someone could help me out. I
guess
>I am wanting to know where I can start (for example: What type of job should
>I start looking for?).
>
>Thanks.
Re: How can I get a programming job?
>It is difficult to get that start, but when you do, and can prove yourself,
>it should be ok. I do still face the occasional short sited hiring manager
>who will not even look at my resume without a BS, but I just laugh and find
>another company(hopefully their competitor), it's their lose.
Well, if the company has an HR department or employs a technical recruiter
then this is the person who is rejecting you (usually due to company policy).
I doubt that the hiring manager even had the opportunity to look at your
resume.
