How do you get your first job?
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I've been programming since I was in middle school nine years (almost 10) ago. I've known since then that this was the career for me. The only problem is, I can't find my first job. It doesn't help that I'm in a small town with no programming jobs. I'm slowly working towards a degree but due to two bad years, I feel I'm falling behind. I'm 22... I should have graduated by now but I haven't even earned my associates degree. I don't know if I can make it through 3 more years of college. It's very tempting to save up some money and just move to a big city with lots of jobs (like Seattle) but I'd have no guarantee that I'd get a job. I'm so bored with my life. I want to earn a living programming. How do you get your first programming job? <.>
First of all, go get Boston's first album and listen to the song "Peace of Mind". Seriously, do that. Second, if you want to program, then program. There is nothing like getting your hands dirty. Be entrepreneurial: ask people what they would like to see their computer do. Don't be afraid of writing plugins for Microsoft Word, Excel, etc. Or try to participate, in some way, to the open source community. I've been programming since I was in high school (over thirty years ago) but I didn't get my first profession job until I was 35. Prior to that I worked mostly on hardware and I wrote a graphics program in my spare time. This isn't to say you shouldn't go to college. In fact, you should. But not going to college will not exclude you (it will make it harder though). Simply writing a code, being persistent, and paying your dues is the most effective way of getting the career you want.
m.bergman
For Bruce Schneier, quanta only have one state : afraid.
To succeed in the world it is not enough to be stupid, you must also be well-mannered. -- Voltaire
In most cases the only difference between disappointment and depression is your level of commitment. -- Marc Maron
I am not a chatbot
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I worked construction and doing janitorial work and as a grader at UT the first couple of years as an undergrad. Then, when those jobs ran out and I was ready to drop out and find work to save for the next year, I got a job writing Fortran code and tutoring that carried me through graduation and turned into my MS research work. Hang in there. I'd check moving to a larger college, but not without some sort of scholarship or part-time job already lined up. And I don't know what outside activities you are into, but I was in none whatsoever until I graduated. I spent 99% of my time working, studying and sometimes sleeping. No parties, no movies, nothing else.
CQ de W5ALT
Walt Fair, Jr., P. E. Comport Computing Specializing in Technical Engineering Software
I don't party. Occasionally (maybe once a month if that) my girlfriend, my best friend, and I will play a Mario Party drinking game... that's about as wild as I get lol. The only big hobby I have right now is Backpacking. I bought some really good ones for my birthday along with a professional water filter. It helps me to work off my programmer's gut. Problem is, I don't have a job so I can rarely afford the like $30 dollars it takes to go. (gas + food) Money is a big factor for why I posted this. I feel like if I can get a job programming, I'd be motivated to perform well in my job. Where as retail... I'm just going to be doing it for the money.
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Stephen Dycus wrote:
I *am* working hard.
Then work harder. I'm beginning to think you are either a troll or a whiner, hoping it's the latter. Anyhow, good luck with you endeavors.
"the meat from that butcher is just the dogs danglies, absolutely amazing cuts of beef." - DaveAuld (2011)
"No, that is just the earthly manifestation of the Great God Retardon." - Nagy Vilmos (2011) "It is the celestial scrotum of good luck!" - Nagy Vilmos (2011) "But you probably have the smoothest scrotum of any grown man" - Pete O'Hanlon (2012)I can't work harder lol. I'm working toward's a transfer degree which requires a list of courses be taken. I only need to take two more courses to be done with my degree... but due to weird scheduling, it's going to take 2 more semesters to complete. I have to take Calc based Physics next semester and then its continuation the next semester. You seem to be holding on to an argument that this is about my work ethic... I cannot take on more responsibility... the college won't let me. I'm pretty sure you're the only one trolling here. Everyone else is being supportive, you're saying it's all my fault. :P
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I've been programming since I was in middle school nine years (almost 10) ago. I've known since then that this was the career for me. The only problem is, I can't find my first job. It doesn't help that I'm in a small town with no programming jobs. I'm slowly working towards a degree but due to two bad years, I feel I'm falling behind. I'm 22... I should have graduated by now but I haven't even earned my associates degree. I don't know if I can make it through 3 more years of college. It's very tempting to save up some money and just move to a big city with lots of jobs (like Seattle) but I'd have no guarantee that I'd get a job. I'm so bored with my life. I want to earn a living programming. How do you get your first programming job? <.>
My good looks, wit, and charm won the day for me. That was over 30 years ago. It won't be long before I can no longer rely on just being pretty.
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"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 -
I can't work harder lol. I'm working toward's a transfer degree which requires a list of courses be taken. I only need to take two more courses to be done with my degree... but due to weird scheduling, it's going to take 2 more semesters to complete. I have to take Calc based Physics next semester and then its continuation the next semester. You seem to be holding on to an argument that this is about my work ethic... I cannot take on more responsibility... the college won't let me. I'm pretty sure you're the only one trolling here. Everyone else is being supportive, you're saying it's all my fault. :P
Yep, you're a whiner.
"the meat from that butcher is just the dogs danglies, absolutely amazing cuts of beef." - DaveAuld (2011)
"No, that is just the earthly manifestation of the Great God Retardon." - Nagy Vilmos (2011) "It is the celestial scrotum of good luck!" - Nagy Vilmos (2011) "But you probably have the smoothest scrotum of any grown man" - Pete O'Hanlon (2012) -
My good looks, wit, and charm won the day for me. That was over 30 years ago. It won't be long before I can no longer rely on just being pretty.
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"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, 1997With age, your looks and charm may pass, but your wit will live on forever old man. ;) :thumbsup:
"the meat from that butcher is just the dogs danglies, absolutely amazing cuts of beef." - DaveAuld (2011)
"No, that is just the earthly manifestation of the Great God Retardon." - Nagy Vilmos (2011) "It is the celestial scrotum of good luck!" - Nagy Vilmos (2011) "But you probably have the smoothest scrotum of any grown man" - Pete O'Hanlon (2012) -
Yep, you're a whiner.
"the meat from that butcher is just the dogs danglies, absolutely amazing cuts of beef." - DaveAuld (2011)
"No, that is just the earthly manifestation of the Great God Retardon." - Nagy Vilmos (2011) "It is the celestial scrotum of good luck!" - Nagy Vilmos (2011) "But you probably have the smoothest scrotum of any grown man" - Pete O'Hanlon (2012)*shrug* Guess so. It's better than being a troll. ^^
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I don't party. Occasionally (maybe once a month if that) my girlfriend, my best friend, and I will play a Mario Party drinking game... that's about as wild as I get lol. The only big hobby I have right now is Backpacking. I bought some really good ones for my birthday along with a professional water filter. It helps me to work off my programmer's gut. Problem is, I don't have a job so I can rarely afford the like $30 dollars it takes to go. (gas + food) Money is a big factor for why I posted this. I feel like if I can get a job programming, I'd be motivated to perform well in my job. Where as retail... I'm just going to be doing it for the money.
Because you're using your name on the Internet, I'd also be weary of providing too much personal information which can easily be found through a simple Google search. I think the next up-and-coming generation has been caught up in sharing their lives on the internet. They have lost sight of the general bent most people have to judge/generalize others, especially others who may be looking to hire them.
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Those are examples of people that left school to pursue their own companies. They wouldn't be applying for an entry level job. And if they did, they probably would not have been good employees. So yeah, I wouldn't hire someone without a degree that is expecting to walk into an entry level dev job, I'd assume they wouldn't last. Even Ellison, who worked odd jobs as a developer after dropping out, bounced around so much he would've been a bad hire.
Fair comment but not everyone goes down the degree path and I wouldn't exclude someone simply because of that.
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me
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Because you're using your name on the Internet, I'd also be weary of providing too much personal information which can easily be found through a simple Google search. I think the next up-and-coming generation has been caught up in sharing their lives on the internet. They have lost sight of the general bent most people have to judge/generalize others, especially others who may be looking to hire them.
Eh, someone found out my complete info when I did my hacking under another name. Past 3 addresses, where I went to school, etc. There is no anonymity on the internet. No sense in worrying. If an employer doesn't hire me for anything in this thread, I don't want to work for them anyways. : /
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I've been programming since I was in middle school nine years (almost 10) ago. I've known since then that this was the career for me. The only problem is, I can't find my first job. It doesn't help that I'm in a small town with no programming jobs. I'm slowly working towards a degree but due to two bad years, I feel I'm falling behind. I'm 22... I should have graduated by now but I haven't even earned my associates degree. I don't know if I can make it through 3 more years of college. It's very tempting to save up some money and just move to a big city with lots of jobs (like Seattle) but I'd have no guarantee that I'd get a job. I'm so bored with my life. I want to earn a living programming. How do you get your first programming job? <.>
Don't worry, I started off college rocky. To be honest the degree isn't necessary. If you think you have the chops, start consulting while in school to build your experience and you may never need a real job. Heck, if you want to work for free I even have a start-up you can code on.
Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. I also do Android Programming as I find it a refreshing break from the MS. "And they, since they Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs" -- Robert Frost
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Fair comment but not everyone goes down the degree path and I wouldn't exclude someone simply because of that.
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me
Unless they have another way to prove they can commit to some task for at least 4 years, I will exclude them. A previous job for this long would be fine for me, but then again, they probably wouldn't be seeking entry level work, so that would raise a flag, too.
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I've been programming since I was in middle school nine years (almost 10) ago. I've known since then that this was the career for me. The only problem is, I can't find my first job. It doesn't help that I'm in a small town with no programming jobs. I'm slowly working towards a degree but due to two bad years, I feel I'm falling behind. I'm 22... I should have graduated by now but I haven't even earned my associates degree. I don't know if I can make it through 3 more years of college. It's very tempting to save up some money and just move to a big city with lots of jobs (like Seattle) but I'd have no guarantee that I'd get a job. I'm so bored with my life. I want to earn a living programming. How do you get your first programming job? <.>
I got my career start because I was in school. One of my instructors offered me a job at another college where he also worked, doing lab tech work. After a year of that, another instructor asked me to come to work at his primary employer, General Dynamics. Most of the really capable instructors at my college had real jobs; the academics were pretty much useless. After I graduated, GD kept me on until I got tired of being stuck there. Had I not stuck out the tedium of 5 years of college, I'd probably still be tossing pizzas for a living. Give it a shot - you're still a kid. Move out while it's still fairly easy to move back home. Try a big city for a while, take a break for a year, then get your ass back in school and graduate. You'll probably find better schools in a bigger city, as well, and you'll certainly find more jobs and better pay. Just don't take too long a break, as it will only get harder to go back to class.
Will Rogers never met me.
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Unless they have another way to prove they can commit to some task for at least 4 years, I will exclude them. A previous job for this long would be fine for me, but then again, they probably wouldn't be seeking entry level work, so that would raise a flag, too.
Your job, your rules but I like to give people a chance to prove themselves, especially youngsters. I know plenty that got themselves through university despite themselves and the only commitment they showed was to having a good time. BTW, most degrees in the UK are 3 years (still a year too long really, Why are they 4 years here? Universities not making enough money?)
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me
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Up
"the meat from that butcher is just the dogs danglies, absolutely amazing cuts of beef." - DaveAuld (2011)
"No, that is just the earthly manifestation of the Great God Retardon." - Nagy Vilmos (2011) "It is the celestial scrotum of good luck!" - Nagy Vilmos (2011) "But you probably have the smoothest scrotum of any grown man" - Pete O'Hanlon (2012) -
madre
"the meat from that butcher is just the dogs danglies, absolutely amazing cuts of beef." - DaveAuld (2011)
"No, that is just the earthly manifestation of the Great God Retardon." - Nagy Vilmos (2011) "It is the celestial scrotum of good luck!" - Nagy Vilmos (2011) "But you probably have the smoothest scrotum of any grown man" - Pete O'Hanlon (2012) -
Unless they have another way to prove they can commit to some task for at least 4 years, I will exclude them. A previous job for this long would be fine for me, but then again, they probably wouldn't be seeking entry level work, so that would raise a flag, too.
OOhh, so working for you is so terrible that you want someone who'll look like they'll stay no matter how bad it gets.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
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OOhh, so working for you is so terrible that you want someone who'll look like they'll stay no matter how bad it gets.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
They leave when he starts doing stand-up in tech meetings. :-)
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me
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OOhh, so working for you is so terrible that you want someone who'll look like they'll stay no matter how bad it gets.
The difficult we do right away... ...the impossible takes slightly longer.
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Your job, your rules but I like to give people a chance to prove themselves, especially youngsters. I know plenty that got themselves through university despite themselves and the only commitment they showed was to having a good time. BTW, most degrees in the UK are 3 years (still a year too long really, Why are they 4 years here? Universities not making enough money?)
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me
mark merrens wrote:
Your job, your rules but I like to give people a chance to prove themselves, especially youngsters.
I'd say that's fine if it's your company, but at most companies, you get judged by the performance of who you hire. I wouldn't put my ass on the line to give a guy who didn't go to college (or as I mentioned earlier, has no decent amount of work experience)a chance to prove anything.
