2 replies to this topic

[Shekkery]

To describe, I'm an Economics-Finance major, and I know for a fact I won't graduate with much of a degree. Well, I will .. but I really want to work abroad. To describe, my situation is I'm graduating from Bentley College with an Economics degree, and during this time period is a very tough recession. I really love computers and I've taken a few programming classes at my school (Java and Java II). Now I'm curious if I could ask a few questions

I know there are quite a few software companies abroad out there, Microsoft and engineering firms, and I was wondering if you could provide some of advice that I could use --

a) what programming language is "hired" abroad often?
b) what do software companies prefer?
c) this is my most important, what are some really significant certifications i could get to demonstrate mastery of programming?

I really want to work abroad, and speak some languages - Cantonese, element Mandarin and Arabic .. but since I go to a business school and not a computer specialized school (ie. MIT), I really need to demonstrate mastery in programming. I was wondering what exams are used? I understand the fallicay that a little certification here and there makes you a great programmer .. but I just need to get my foot in the door and not be on the auto-dump resume pile.

To describe: I have a 3.7 GPA, excellent internships in Finance, and overall a strong CV .. just lacking the demonstrate of computer excellence.

Many .. many .. thanks

[WingedPanther]

a) I don't know that there's a standard answer to that. For countries that are using Linux heavily, you will have a slightly different set of languages than countries that are using Windows heavily. Israel and China, for example, are using Linux heavily, so .NET languages won't be that important for them. C, C++, and Java tend to hold their own well.

b) That depends on what language the software company is doing it's programming in. My company prefers Delphi, because 90% of our code-base is in Delphi. Microsoft mainly uses C and C++, as do many gaming companies.

c) To me, a certificate means very little. Experience is what I'd be more interested in. If you have a portfolio of programs you've written, that would tell me far more than any certificate.

What is confusing me is why you want to focus on programming instead of finance. It seems to me that what you have is a strong finance background with programming as a supporting skill-set. If you wanted to sell yourself as a programmer, I'd want to see what you can do. Perhaps writing some financial apps in Java that you could use to showcase both your programming and finance skills would be a good investment of your effort.

[Shekkery]

Thanks for the response. I know it seems odd, but I'm not sure what finance possibilities I would have abroad. Because of that , I decided I really wanted to try in the fields that seemed that I might be possibly good at.

I really appreciate the information about Linux and Java. I'll try to work on Java much more -- I have a lot to catch up on programming and I hope I will make it for recruiting season next year.

Thanks, I sincerely appreciate the idea about writing financial related programs. I am quite a bit worried about graduating .. and I don't want to just take any job I can get, but something I appreciate a lot.