First Job

[Mark Phillips]

An additional thought. Once you find your programming passion, look around
for an opensource project that interests you. Spend some time helping out
on that project to hone your skills. There will be mentors there as well.
You may have to try a couple of projects to find a community that you like.
With a little hands on experience on one or more projects, you will at the
very least, have some real world development challenges/solutions to talk
about in an interview, something to put on your resume, and code your
potential employer can look at.

Good luck!

Mark


On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 9:07 AM, keith smith <klsmith2020 at yahoo.com> wrote:

>
> Since I started paying attention in about 1983, there has been an
> overwhelming demand for developers.  However the other side of this coin is
> gaining entry.  For me finding that door was not easy.
>
> One thing life has tough me is most employers are looking for skills and a
> track record, even for the entry level position.
>
> My suggestion is first to determine what your passion about.  Then learn
> it and do something on your own.  You might want to find a mentor who has
> experience in that area.  The mentor can guide you in what you will need to
> know to be entry level and what types of things you might do to show you
> have at least entry level skills.
>
> Once you have decent skills you may want to keep your day job and start
> doing side projects until the demand for your side projects over takes your
> day job.  This may be counter indicated for trying to find a job.  I do not
> know this for a fact, however I hear some or most employers do not like
> those who are entrepreneurial. However if you would like to be on your won
> this is a good plan.
>
> If working for yourself is not for you, then you might start contacting
> hiring managers and pitch yourself.  This will allow you to learn about the
> demand and what it takes to get one of those jobs.
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------
> Keith Smith
>
>   ------------------------------
>  *From:* Trent Shipley <trent_shipley at yahoo.com>
> *To:* "plug-discuss at lists.phxlinux.org" <plug-discuss at lists.phxlinux.org>;
> AzIPA <azipa at yahoogroups.com>
> *Sent:* Monday, August 26, 2013 5:48 PM
> *Subject:* First Job
>
> I would like a very entry level job in programming or in reporting.  I'm
> not worried about the offshore competition.  The advertisements say that
> after 5 years you make 60-80 K as a programmer.
>
> I have a degree in mathematics from 1989, a Master of Science in
> Information Management (from 2009), and more semesters than not I take a
> computer course at the community college.  I recently finished two
> semesters of C#.  I've take CS 205 in Java, but that was over 8 years ago.
>  I just finished the first semester of Java.  I am now taking SQL Server.
>
> I am  working on a Certificate of Completion in Programming at Rio Salado
> Community College.
>
> Unfortunately, the ads tend to ask for a 4 years Computer Science degree
> and a year of experience (presumably as an intern or employed in your field
> while still a student.)
>
> Also, I make in the low 40's with good benefits as an administrative
> assistant, and it looks like entry level jobs don't come close.
>
> Do I have a chance without leaving Phoenix?
>
>
>
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