Desperately Seeking Employment
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John, this does not make me feel secure! I'm 42 and have four more weeks of school before I get my ATA in Computer Information Systems. I live in the Seattle area, and all I have for experience is three classes in C++ and one in MFC. I really want to be a programmer, but if you have the experience you have, and your finding a lack in the market, what do you think a person starting out should consider for future skill sets? I love C++ and would like to only invest my time in solid skills that will get me a job. Thanks RON:confused:
Ron, its always the same issue, no matter how old or how experienced you are. You can only be an "expert" in so much. The number of companies which will give you an opportunity to develope professional expertise in a wide range of technologies are very few. So you have a tendency to become pegion-holed technologically. When you want to grow professionally, to develope and implement new technical skills, you are always back to square one - can't get the job without the expericence can't get the experience witout the job.
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John, this does not make me feel secure! I'm 42 and have four more weeks of school before I get my ATA in Computer Information Systems. I live in the Seattle area, and all I have for experience is three classes in C++ and one in MFC. I really want to be a programmer, but if you have the experience you have, and your finding a lack in the market, what do you think a person starting out should consider for future skill sets? I love C++ and would like to only invest my time in solid skills that will get me a job. Thanks RON:confused:
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it is quite damn stupid that the world needs good software (and by extension good software engineers) and yet someone like you is worried about work being available ... the age thing seems like an instant b grade when it should be the opposite ... but hey ... managers didn't get where they are by being clever now did they? i spent the past 18 months writing an app we sell to the financial markets and it has taken off big time so i guess (with luck) i will be cool for work for the rest of my working life (however long i choose to make that) but your message reminded me of the payback i'm getting for the past effort good luck and take no crap :) --- "every year we invent better idiot proof systems and every year they invent better idiots"
Yeah, I know. Check out my resume on my website. Lots of people say the same thing you do, but when it comes right down to getting an interview, nobody wants to talk to me because I don't have any VB, ASP, SOAP, XML, JAVA, or [insert your favorite anti-language here] experience. I've interviewed for exactly one C++/MFC job in this town since 11/2000. They weren't even sure they needed a programmer (and it turns out that they didn't). http://www.paddedwall.org/john/programmer I spent 12 years at one company (through 05/2000), nine of those were spent writing in C++, and I taught myself Turbo Pascal, C++, MFC, the Windows API, amd all while learning how to do estate planning. I can (and have demostrated the aptitude to) learn anything, but nobody wants to hear that. They want instant experience.
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My complaint is about the local market. Seattle may be usting with C++/MFC jobs, but San Antonio is most definitely *not* the place to live for anyone wanting to make a living in C++. I hate job hopping (I spent 12 years at one company - as a programmer), and believe it or not, I'm not in this for the money. I write programs because I like doing it. I don't care if I ever become famous or get rich or come up with the latest killer app. I just want to to do what I do and receive a heart-felt and honest "great effort, and great programming" from the guy that signs my paycheck. As I see it, companies aren't interested in delivering a quality product (or quality after-sale support) with a two-or-more major revision lifecycle. They see an original idea and sink their fangs into it and bleed it dry in a matter of months. Users are left with non-supported software with no hope of even the most minor of bug-fix releases because the coporate beancounters wanted the fastest buck with as little expenditure as possible, and they wanted experts *immediately* that work for peanuts. They're not interested in nurturing an employee, and loyalty is a one-way term for corporate suits. As long as *you're* loyal to "the company", you're fine, but don't even *dare* to expect the same favor in return. Am I bitter? Maybe a little. Am I angry? You bet, and everybody that crusise this website should be, too. We're at the mercy of corporate America, and corporate America doesn't give a rat's ass about us because some programmer wanna-be with a four year sheepskin that thinks Visual Basic is "the best language ever" is being pumped out of our colleges by the thousanads, so there's always someone who can step in where integrity and pride in a job done well has long-since taken a powder. I'm ready to dazzle anyone (with the gumption to hire me) with some first-class code, and I can learn any of the anti-languages necessary to get a job done. :suss:
I agree with you John. You should have added Java in your list.;)
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Thanks for letting me know this up front :) At least this way I'm getting the real picture of the field instead of some school blowing smoke. Now I can start making plans for my future based on reality. As for VB, yes I did take two classes on this and was not impressed with it. But then again it is just another tool.(I think). But I guess what I would like to know from people that are in the field is what skills look like they have a promising future :confused: Java, Asp, XML etc. Thank RON
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Thanks for letting me know this up front :) At least this way I'm getting the real picture of the field instead of some school blowing smoke. Now I can start making plans for my future based on reality. As for VB, yes I did take two classes on this and was not impressed with it. But then again it is just another tool.(I think). But I guess what I would like to know from people that are in the field is what skills look like they have a promising future :confused: Java, Asp, XML etc. Thank RON
Well, dispite everything I've said about wanting to learn new technology, I actually honestly believe that C++/VC++ remains the best bet. I think the hype around Java, VB etc, is going to fade away. Reality will sink in with the industry, and demand for "real" programmers will come back with a vengence, as well written C++ apps continue to outperform those written with any other platform. C# might be worth a look, but I will actuall be suprised if 5 years from now the world is clamoring for C# programmers. I do think XML has a tremendous future. Also, keeping your database skills up to date will continue to be important.
