How do I get into the Software industry?
-
So I just got my degree from an online school in Computer Science and to be quite frank, I don't think I know enough to land a job in computer science. I took 2 classes in C++, one class in data data structures and algorithms and the rest were database, security, network, etc classes, none of which are enough to get a job in any of those fields. I'm not sure what I want to focus on, I was thinking of some .NET or Java certifications my help. Personally, I find embedded development using C to be of interest, however, I know very little about that. What kind of skills to I need to develop to market myself for an entry level position as a software developer or engineer?
You need to find yourself a project. Find a reason to write a program, then work to bring the stuff you learned all together into a cohesive form. Make some mistakes, start learning what questions you need to ask, find out if you have the programming bug, and once you can code then you will be able to prove yourself in interviews (and also know which interviews to go for)
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
-
So I just got my degree from an online school in Computer Science and to be quite frank, I don't think I know enough to land a job in computer science. I took 2 classes in C++, one class in data data structures and algorithms and the rest were database, security, network, etc classes, none of which are enough to get a job in any of those fields. I'm not sure what I want to focus on, I was thinking of some .NET or Java certifications my help. Personally, I find embedded development using C to be of interest, however, I know very little about that. What kind of skills to I need to develop to market myself for an entry level position as a software developer or engineer?
Embedded development can be hard to break into. One of the best ways to get started is in software testing. You're still writing software and learning, but you don't have the hardware and processor to worry about as well. Most embedded sotware engineers are actually computer or electrical engineers....but if you're interested and you take to programming, you'll do fine in embedded as well. Good luck!
-
You need to find yourself a project. Find a reason to write a program, then work to bring the stuff you learned all together into a cohesive form. Make some mistakes, start learning what questions you need to ask, find out if you have the programming bug, and once you can code then you will be able to prove yourself in interviews (and also know which interviews to go for)
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Yeah, that's a good point. I got my first job by showing off the project I'd been doing, which I did because I thought I could sell it to my work at the time.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.
-
So I just got my degree from an online school in Computer Science and to be quite frank, I don't think I know enough to land a job in computer science. I took 2 classes in C++, one class in data data structures and algorithms and the rest were database, security, network, etc classes, none of which are enough to get a job in any of those fields. I'm not sure what I want to focus on, I was thinking of some .NET or Java certifications my help. Personally, I find embedded development using C to be of interest, however, I know very little about that. What kind of skills to I need to develop to market myself for an entry level position as a software developer or engineer?
Not sure, but I can tell you my experience and you can take from it what you will. I went to college. My first year, my advisor gave me a job to remake part of the school website (the Psychology department section, to be exact). Wasn't anything big. Was a school sponsored internship and paid $8/hour. Didn't spend a whole lot of time doing that, as I had classes to focus on. Then, during the summer, I got a job doing QA for a local software company. I guess they had some deal worked out with the college, because a bunch of college students worked there. I think they too paid me $8/hour. The following summer I worked for them again and they gave me a raise, I think to $12/hour. My last summer in college, I got an internship with a local lawyer. I started working for him at reduced pay because I wanted to spend a month learning what I needed to know to help him (ASP.Net, SQL, etc.). I spent that time reading and learning and getting paid for it, which I don't think is typical, but it did help me do my job better. I got paid around $15/hour during that learning period and about $20/hour for the rest of the summer. I spent a lot of that time learning... I feel like my employer didn't get a very good deal, but at least he got the gratification of helping out the community by supporting newbies like myself at the time. Finally, I graduated and landed my first job. The pay just went up from there (although I'm underpaid now) and I found that I was more and more capable at programming. Now I feel pretty confident at applying for a variety of jobs. That's how I went about things. Much of it was just circumstances that I took advantage of. Since you have very little experience, it might be a good idea to get something -- anything -- that pays. Might not even have to be as a programmer. Could be related. QA worked well for me because it didn't require many skills, only that I knew how to reason and use a computer. Something similar might work for you. Really, though, it depends on your circumstances and who you know. Maybe a teacher can help you find something. Might be more difficult though, as you got your degree from an online school. In any event, there has to be something out there for you... good luck!
Visual Studio is an excellent GUIIDE.
-
So I just got my degree from an online school in Computer Science and to be quite frank, I don't think I know enough to land a job in computer science. I took 2 classes in C++, one class in data data structures and algorithms and the rest were database, security, network, etc classes, none of which are enough to get a job in any of those fields. I'm not sure what I want to focus on, I was thinking of some .NET or Java certifications my help. Personally, I find embedded development using C to be of interest, however, I know very little about that. What kind of skills to I need to develop to market myself for an entry level position as a software developer or engineer?
Focus on learning, not on certs. As Chris said, find a project. All but the most stupid companies have learnt to weed out candidates that have lots of course and certifications but can't write a program. (Not meant as an offense, but "two classes in C++" usually isn't a lot.) You are into embedded? Get an microcontroller evaluation board, a few LED's and/or sensors, and start playing around. (the first google result returns this[^] - not sure if it's sutiable, but it looks like) I am not sure about your circumstances, so this might be an ugly suggestion - I try it anyway: try to get an internship or similar with a small company that e.g. creates some PC peripherals. We do specific measurement equipment, and have qutie some students - it's great fun to watch them grow their skills on real life projects.
Personally, I love the idea that Raymond spends his nights posting bad regexs to mailing lists under the pseudonym of Jane Smith. He'd be like a super hero, only more nerdy and less useful. [Trevel]
| FoldWithUs! | sighist | µLaunch - program launcher for server core and hyper-v server -
So I just got my degree from an online school in Computer Science and to be quite frank, I don't think I know enough to land a job in computer science. I took 2 classes in C++, one class in data data structures and algorithms and the rest were database, security, network, etc classes, none of which are enough to get a job in any of those fields. I'm not sure what I want to focus on, I was thinking of some .NET or Java certifications my help. Personally, I find embedded development using C to be of interest, however, I know very little about that. What kind of skills to I need to develop to market myself for an entry level position as a software developer or engineer?
Certifications don't mean squat. You need to be a self-starter with a strong work ethic and a desire to teach yourself via the school of hard knocks. The only way you can learn the best way to do things is to do them wrong at least once. You need to dedicate yourself. I don't personally have a degree, but I have the ability to learn what I need to learn to get a job done. Over the last 30 years, I taught myself Basic, Pascal, CMS-2Y, C/C++, C#, Java/Javascript, HTML, CSS, and SQL. I've dealt with a dozen frameworks and class libraries, and a dozen different operating systems. I've become a subject matter expert in several different industries. How do you get a job? Experience and/or a willingness to learn.
.45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly
-----
"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
-----
"The staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - J. Jystad, 2001 -
I taught myself from books, and I was lucky, 6 months later I found a local job. I paid a lot of attention at work, any time I didn't get what people were discussing, I'd buy a book and learn it. I've been in the industry for a decade and it's worked out well for me. If you can find a job somewhere, where you're coding all day and surrounded by people who know more than you do, that's the perfect next step IMO.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.
I second that. I also tought myself with books, and despite beeing in the industry for only a little more than two years, I've passed several playing with books and developing softwares for my self. I also built software for my realtives which own shops, to help them with their job. The thing is, by the time I decided to got for a paid position in a company, I had good skills to show on the interview. I started low, with a trainee position and in less than two years I got a full time job and my salary more the trippled. You got to land a first job so you can learn. Then you will grow in a rate as fast as your dedication and abilities.
-
So I just got my degree from an online school in Computer Science and to be quite frank, I don't think I know enough to land a job in computer science. I took 2 classes in C++, one class in data data structures and algorithms and the rest were database, security, network, etc classes, none of which are enough to get a job in any of those fields. I'm not sure what I want to focus on, I was thinking of some .NET or Java certifications my help. Personally, I find embedded development using C to be of interest, however, I know very little about that. What kind of skills to I need to develop to market myself for an entry level position as a software developer or engineer?
I had a roommate with a 2 year technical degree in Computer Science. The only job he was able to land was as a manager at a pizza delivery chain. He finally landed an underpaid gig helping a minister rework his membership database. His effective pay probably amounted to $4USD/hr, but it was part time and he learned a ton about driving requirements, interacting with his customer, making milestones, etc. He probably would have done it for free, but having the fixed fee upon delivery kept both him and the customer motivated. This gave him the experience, provable body of work, satisfied customer reference, etc. to launch into his consulting/programming career and quit the pizza business. After just a few years he ended up as a right hand man for an upper echelon financial person at an oil/gas company.
-
So I just got my degree from an online school in Computer Science and to be quite frank, I don't think I know enough to land a job in computer science. I took 2 classes in C++, one class in data data structures and algorithms and the rest were database, security, network, etc classes, none of which are enough to get a job in any of those fields. I'm not sure what I want to focus on, I was thinking of some .NET or Java certifications my help. Personally, I find embedded development using C to be of interest, however, I know very little about that. What kind of skills to I need to develop to market myself for an entry level position as a software developer or engineer?
I got my degree mostly on-line as well. It wasn't even in Computer Science, it was in Computer and Information Science (kind of a hybrid thing I guess). I was looking for a job to do some MS Access stuff, but I stumbled upon an internship position doing C++ work. After 6 months of internship, I got an offer from them and have been working here ever since. I think I got pretty lucky landing this internship, but I guess the point is try to find an internship or a volunteer position somewhere first to get some experience under your belt. Showing off some projects you did on your own helps as well.
-
Focus on learning, not on certs. As Chris said, find a project. All but the most stupid companies have learnt to weed out candidates that have lots of course and certifications but can't write a program. (Not meant as an offense, but "two classes in C++" usually isn't a lot.) You are into embedded? Get an microcontroller evaluation board, a few LED's and/or sensors, and start playing around. (the first google result returns this[^] - not sure if it's sutiable, but it looks like) I am not sure about your circumstances, so this might be an ugly suggestion - I try it anyway: try to get an internship or similar with a small company that e.g. creates some PC peripherals. We do specific measurement equipment, and have qutie some students - it's great fun to watch them grow their skills on real life projects.
Personally, I love the idea that Raymond spends his nights posting bad regexs to mailing lists under the pseudonym of Jane Smith. He'd be like a super hero, only more nerdy and less useful. [Trevel]
| FoldWithUs! | sighist | µLaunch - program launcher for server core and hyper-v serverLook at the open source Arduino micro controller. It runs about $30 and the C++ IDE is free. I had my first project up and running in short time. You may not get paid for building projects, but you will learn as you build. Post your projects to the web site, and you can have employers look at your work. Good Luck Don803
-
I taught myself from books, and I was lucky, 6 months later I found a local job. I paid a lot of attention at work, any time I didn't get what people were discussing, I'd buy a book and learn it. I've been in the industry for a decade and it's worked out well for me. If you can find a job somewhere, where you're coding all day and surrounded by people who know more than you do, that's the perfect next step IMO.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.
Yeah, that's how I did it. The apprentice system is still alive and well in certain disciplines like ours. I just basically hung around this guy at work for a while pestering him with questions until I could do something useful. Then they had me to do all the grunt work for a year or so, writing SQL procs, tweaking javascript, etc. Then I got more responsibility and a raise, and by the time I left I had a real resume and landed a real developers job. I personally think this is the way to go, because you get the taste of what a developers day is like right from the start. When I was in school there were quite a few kids that were majoring in CS that actually didn't like computers much, a few that didn't OWN a computer, and several that didn't like spending hours staring at one. I feel bad for the rude awakening they're going to have when they find out what we actually do. But I guess then they can always fall back to sales :laugh:
-
So I just got my degree from an online school in Computer Science and to be quite frank, I don't think I know enough to land a job in computer science. I took 2 classes in C++, one class in data data structures and algorithms and the rest were database, security, network, etc classes, none of which are enough to get a job in any of those fields. I'm not sure what I want to focus on, I was thinking of some .NET or Java certifications my help. Personally, I find embedded development using C to be of interest, however, I know very little about that. What kind of skills to I need to develop to market myself for an entry level position as a software developer or engineer?
C, C++, Java, and .net are very diverse and different. Good to know something about each, but most jobs want an expert in one (maybe two). Note the biggest issue I remember from eons ago leaving school is the different programming mentality. In school, I wrote a lot of programs, rush through them, and never saw them again. Didn't have to deal with bugs or maintainability. Paying world tends to be different... I agree on somehow getting in the door somewhere for experience, then building. I've had to update skills over the years, and that's how I end up doing it. Take a few classes, find an excuse to use C#, then I've got experience! 8-) Good luck.
-
So I just got my degree from an online school in Computer Science and to be quite frank, I don't think I know enough to land a job in computer science. I took 2 classes in C++, one class in data data structures and algorithms and the rest were database, security, network, etc classes, none of which are enough to get a job in any of those fields. I'm not sure what I want to focus on, I was thinking of some .NET or Java certifications my help. Personally, I find embedded development using C to be of interest, however, I know very little about that. What kind of skills to I need to develop to market myself for an entry level position as a software developer or engineer?
-
I taught myself from books, and I was lucky, 6 months later I found a local job. I paid a lot of attention at work, any time I didn't get what people were discussing, I'd buy a book and learn it. I've been in the industry for a decade and it's worked out well for me. If you can find a job somewhere, where you're coding all day and surrounded by people who know more than you do, that's the perfect next step IMO.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.
Exactly what skills do I need to get an entry level position? I know C++ basics, functions, pointers, arrays, etc, but I don't know how to do anything useful (such as creating utilities to interact with Windows, like moving files around, etc) Is this enough to get an entry level position? It almost seems that I need to find an employer who is willing to pay me little so that way I can adapt and learn.
-
So I just got my degree from an online school in Computer Science and to be quite frank, I don't think I know enough to land a job in computer science. I took 2 classes in C++, one class in data data structures and algorithms and the rest were database, security, network, etc classes, none of which are enough to get a job in any of those fields. I'm not sure what I want to focus on, I was thinking of some .NET or Java certifications my help. Personally, I find embedded development using C to be of interest, however, I know very little about that. What kind of skills to I need to develop to market myself for an entry level position as a software developer or engineer?
The thing that is ESSENTIAL to any Computer Programming field is PRACTICE. This is a field where I honestly don't believe you really understand what you read until you try it. Do not wait for a project to fall into your lap, start seeking them out. Writing a database backed MUD server in C++ would teach you a lot about general practice programming. Need to sort your music collection? Learn a scripting language and have at it. Build a blogging engine or perhaps an online calendar with schedule functions from scratch to learn about web programming. Any computer programmer I'd even consider hiring needs to know enough about networks (client\server, TCP\IP), web standards (xhtml, css, javascript), databases (SQL, management), and general algorithms for it to be worth my time having them as an employee. If you're not willing and able to learn on your own via reading books, blogs, magazines and experimenting, you're going after the wrong profession.
-
Yeah, that's how I did it. The apprentice system is still alive and well in certain disciplines like ours. I just basically hung around this guy at work for a while pestering him with questions until I could do something useful. Then they had me to do all the grunt work for a year or so, writing SQL procs, tweaking javascript, etc. Then I got more responsibility and a raise, and by the time I left I had a real resume and landed a real developers job. I personally think this is the way to go, because you get the taste of what a developers day is like right from the start. When I was in school there were quite a few kids that were majoring in CS that actually didn't like computers much, a few that didn't OWN a computer, and several that didn't like spending hours staring at one. I feel bad for the rude awakening they're going to have when they find out what we actually do. But I guess then they can always fall back to sales :laugh:
DiscoJimmy wrote:
But I guess then they can always fall back to sales
Or management... They do say that those who can't instruct others.
But fortunately we have the nanny-state politicians who can step in to protect us poor stupid consumers, most of whom would not know a JVM from a frozen chicken. Bruce Pierson
Because programming is an art, not a science. Marc Clifton
I gave up when I couldn't spell "egg". Justine Allen
