Dear plug-discuss,
I currently work as a telephone customer service representative. There are no sales, but I still hate it, it pays poorly, and I'm bad at it.
I have three disabilities, I'm bipolar (well treated with medication), autistic (high functioning), and I have attention deficit disorder. (Also, I'm 50, which is effectively another disability.) Three disabilities is enough to qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation services from the State.
I like programming. I'd like to be in IT, I think. I had a couple years of experience back between 2000 and 2002, mostly writing SQL queries in Oracle. I have a BA with majors in history (3.5 GPA) and math (2.25 GPA), an MA in anthropology, and unsuccessful attempt at a PhD in anthropology, an MS in information management, and a community college Certificate of Completion in computer programming (CIS department, not CS).
There are two major barriers to my getting a job as a programmer. First, it seems to involve way too much interaction with people for an autistic person. Second, it requires a four year degree and internships. Voc Rehab doesn't want to pay for it, and I can't pay for it myself.
So the option of web developer came up. The Labor Department's web site said you could qualify to enter work as a web developer with a post-high school certificate. Unfortunately, I suspect that being a web developer requires even more people contact than being a programmer.
Nevertheless, my assignment for the week is to talk to two web developers. I'd appreciate any contacts list members could provide that would be willing to provide a 20 minute interview about their work, either web developers or programmers with less than a BS.
Regards and thanks,
Trent Shipley