11 replies to this topic

[Volte]

I was wondering what the best way was to get started in a programming career? I'm currently attending college at a technology school (ECPI College of Technology) and aiming for my bachelors in computer information science. The problem is, I know I don't know enough yet to actually make any kind of income doing programming.

I've peeked around the internet a bit to see what companies want when hiring a programmer. It was pretty obvious to me that this isn't the kind of field you get an into without previous experience. So basically, what's the best way to get started? I read an article somewhere saying the only way to get into the programming world is to just start doing enough stuff that you can add to a resume. Make a website, an iphone app, a video game, join an open source project, etc and just pile everything you've done on a resume. Is that really the best way?

[lor]

What I've noticed when I've searched for jobs on sites like TradeMe is that they want experience, usually like 5+ years. I've hardly seen any advertizements for junior programmers.
What I'm going to do, and what I also recommend (may not be available to everyone however) is to try and find a company that are looking to train junior programmers up, like cadetships or apprenticeships.
I also would get started making some projects so you can show them to an employer and be like "oh hey this is what I've done and this is what I've learned during this process", like things like that.

[Volte]

Yah that's the problem I've seen. Everyone wants prior work experience which is something I don't have.

I'm glad I found this site though. If I spend a few months sifting through all the information, I'm sure I can learn enough to start generating some income from somewhere.

[WingedPanther]

My company just hired a student who has his associate's, and is working on his bachelors. He was hired to do database migrations, but has worked on some small projects as well. Entry level positions, internships (possibly unpaid), and free-lance are all possibilities. Also, be aware that just because the company WANTS 5+ years experience doesn't mean they can find it or won't accept less. This is particularly true of smaller companies that may accept less experience for a lower salary and the chance to train you in "their" way of doing things.

[user]

Internship. They generally don't expect prior experience.

[FOsHO]

I had a programming interview this week. They didn't want to take me because I didn't have my bachelors. I am currently at a university getting a degree in physics. Although programming is my true passion. Will I find anybody to give me a chance. I complete the interview programming test in 15 min; the senior programmer told me it takes people an hour on average. He was impressed but "didn't have the time to train me". Does anybody have any advice? What worked for you?

[DEViANT]

google://

[WingedPanther]

The larger the company, the worse your chances. The company I work at currently has only one developer with a bachelors in CS, with a wide variety of other degrees floating around. A small company can afford to spot talent and work with it. A larger company has more bureaucracy in the way to prevent you from event getting an interview.

[Volte]

DEViANT said:

google://

you mean work for google or google some jobs? lol

[DEViANT]

Sorry, I should have quoted. My reply was aimed at FOsHO's post, asking where he could get all the information/litterature he needed

[tossy]

If you took internship, no need to go for experience you will get chance to work.

[isuru]

Experience vs Education.

Most of the times Education can't fulfill industrial needs. That is the reason most companies asking for experience. But I suggest work on open source projects and internships to build up experience. Other than that I suggest you to look in to taking membership of IEEE and BCS. So you can keep up with the industry. I am a member of BCS(British Computer Society) and they send me all those news and internship opportunities. But I am not live in UK, so I can't fullfill all those opportunities.