First programming job
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My son is working on a college degree in physics and has finished his first programming classes (Java). He finds it a lot of fun, and has done some projects of his own on the side over the past semester. Now the question: with little qualifications other than two classes and a lot of interest, how would he go about finding a part-time job programming that he could do on the side while he is going to school? He's looked at the classified and some online listings, but it is obvious for the ones he's looked at that they want more experience. Thanks, Robin
he could start building apps for people for a small fee. nothing big just something that gets the job done for them. he'll learn along the way too. _________________________________________________ "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." Albert Einstein ..::: BNEM :::..
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My son is working on a college degree in physics and has finished his first programming classes (Java). He finds it a lot of fun, and has done some projects of his own on the side over the past semester. Now the question: with little qualifications other than two classes and a lot of interest, how would he go about finding a part-time job programming that he could do on the side while he is going to school? He's looked at the classified and some online listings, but it is obvious for the ones he's looked at that they want more experience. Thanks, Robin
I think that he should work on one or more of the ba-zillion open source projects that exist. I mean, I'm sorry, but I just don't think that he should burn any cycles trying to get "paid" (in money) right now. Have him go get a job waiting tables at a place where the tips are really good instead, work all summer on open source projects, read a million lines of other peoples code, write one line that helps a project along. The effort that he expends will be "paid" in many, many other ways. Next summer he will be able to kick down a door somewhere with the confidence that he is going to be worth his rice bowl.
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My son is working on a college degree in physics and has finished his first programming classes (Java). He finds it a lot of fun, and has done some projects of his own on the side over the past semester. Now the question: with little qualifications other than two classes and a lot of interest, how would he go about finding a part-time job programming that he could do on the side while he is going to school? He's looked at the classified and some online listings, but it is obvious for the ones he's looked at that they want more experience. Thanks, Robin
The Coperative Education (Co-Op) program at my school was a great help. It may not be time to get paid yet. There are lots of non-profits that could use help programming. As his Dad you can help steer him clear of some of them (the ones that either don't really know what they want, don't know what can/should be automated, or want something huge/impossible). Find something small that can be done successfully and build on it. People using your software can be a great motivator. A well written thank you letter can serve as a recommendation. Best wishes, -Chris C.
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My son is working on a college degree in physics and has finished his first programming classes (Java). He finds it a lot of fun, and has done some projects of his own on the side over the past semester. Now the question: with little qualifications other than two classes and a lot of interest, how would he go about finding a part-time job programming that he could do on the side while he is going to school? He's looked at the classified and some online listings, but it is obvious for the ones he's looked at that they want more experience. Thanks, Robin
He should let his prof's know he would be interested in helping with any tasks they may take on. Prof's are frequently asked to do contract work and farm it out to students. Prof's are also asked for recommendations on who to hire - it's how I got my first job in industry.
Melting Away www.deals-house.com www.innovative--concepts.com
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<to understand recursion you must first understand recursion> 5ed for the support you gave me. </to understand recursion you must first understand recursion>
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Your son knows Java, so tell him to quickly read through a book on Javascript. It is a great language for enhancing websites. Then: 1. Look at the websites of all local companies he can find. 2. Identify websites which can be easily and usefully enhanced with some neat Javascript add-ons. 3. Identify the local contact person or department who is responsible for the website. 4. Call them to arrange a visit to show a printed picture of what the website would look like with the enhancement (use a picture of the screen, clip-art etc.). 5. Quote a fixed price or whatever for the job. This is the "foot in the door". He may well discover that a local company are desperate for a webmaster with programming capability and initiative. BTW, I got my first programming job after only one programming class by following this type of procedure.
That is indeed a great idea, coming to someone with a proposed "added value" is bound to work. But, I think it's important to also highlight the fact that Javascript, websites, webadmin and most of the Internet-oriented technologies and the jobs that go with them, can been profoundly annoying/discouraging to some people. So the suggestion above might be the best I've seen so far, but for the love of software make sure your son understands it's not the only path. I loath most of the technologies and jobs that revolve around website making/maintenance but I had no trouble finding employment before and after graduation.