I don't really like working in legacy environments, but it's not that bad either. You just get typecast as a legacy programmer of environment x and language y. 

Pascal was my first language, oh so long ago, and I actually enjoyed working with it for programming 101 and 201. I've had COBOL classes to, and while COBOL is mostly warts, it still has charms.

I'm kinda stuck with my parents in Glendale, but not totally. I would certainly not mind talking to your former manager.

On Tue, Oct 17, 2017 at 1:00 AM David Schwartz <newsletters@thetoolwiz.com> wrote:
BTW, if you’d like to learn Delphi, I could refer you to a place in Delaware working for the State maintaining some apps that their VR folks use.

I had a contract there for 6 months, and they need someone really badly full-time to maintain a couple of Delphi apps. There’s also a lot of MS SQL Server stuff involved.

The Dept Mgr is a terrific guy, and most of the people who work in the Dept are very dedicated people. Some are pretty sharp, some not so much. Most are older. (Youngsters don’t seem to like working for the State.)

-David Schwartz



On Oct 16, 2017, at 10:09 PM, trent shipley <trent.shipley@gmail.com> wrote:

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
trent1967.48@outlook.com (junk e-mail account)
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