Entry into a programming career questions?

Question

So, I have an AAS degree, majors in Computer Programming. I graduated with honors in 2002. I was unable to get ANY responses on my resume for a programming job, but I got plenty for computer repair and help desk. This is the avenue I have taken up until 2008 when I wanted to get back to what I originally set out to do. I decided to go back to College for my Bachelors of Science and so far am halfway through with honors. I hadn't programmed since College(2002) so I picked it back up when I started in 2008. To start, I would consider myself to be an intermediate programmer skill-wise presently with no experience outside of College of course. I am still getting zero responses to my resume and I read an article that said a great foot in the door can be to just do freelance. I looked up some freelance stuff and well, that is kinda where I get scared. If I mess up like once on a customer not only can I not get paid, but I can get banned of the site! This doesn't sound like a good avenue either but maybe one of you can help me! Here is a list of the things that sort of escape me right now in programming, everything else I know.

Interfaces
Delegates
Data Access (partially understand)
Network Access such as Client/Server, Peer 2 Peer, etc.
Multithreading
Operator Overloading

Who knows maybe I am still missing too much there lol. If you think so then please throw me some program challenge ideas because I have run out of ideas of things to challenge myself. Oh and my language of choice is C#! If you do suggest freelance and have any sites you would like to share please do. Any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

Wow, tough job market. During the .com bubble you probably could have gotten a 6 figure salary and stock options.

But don't give up, there is still a demand for good C# programmers. There's just more competition than there was a decade ago. If you have 8 yrs. experience in comp repair/help desk, that should put you well ahead of someone younger with just academics. (Assuming you have good references?)



You need to keep building your skills, of course. Not just from coursework, but on your own as well. Of the things you listed, I would focus on Data Access first. Databases are everywhere. Learn some SQL. Learn how to connect C# to SQL. That's a common need in lots and lots of C# apps (and not just web apps). Learn how to use LINQ. You HAVE to know LINQ.



Any work study options for you? Great way to get a foot in the door and pad the resume, but not an option for everyone.



You could consider trying to contribute to an open source C# project. Lots of them out there. It's less risky then trying to earn money from your skills (although...money can be a good thing). The worst that happens is you get some nasty peer review. Best case you have something to add to the resume. You'll have to do some Googling to find an open source project that fits your interests and your skill set, but there are a lot of them out there.



Have you had your Resume reviewed by anyone (who isn't a techie)? I've been on the hiring side in the past. You start with a big stack of resumes and you have to widdle it down to a small stack that gets interviews. You can't interview everyone. It's time consuming and tiring. Small things in a resume CAN make a difference. Spelling, grammar, layout, too much information, not enough information. When you are widdling, you sometimes make decisions based on small things. Techies/Programmers aren't always the best at spotting (or caring about) the small stuff in a resume. But it can matter. Get it right.



Best of luck.

Answer 2

I suggest you work with a contracting firm that pays on a hourly basis and places you wherever there are programming openings. There are many firms which do this. The advantage is that they will look for placing you. And sometimes they pay a small amount when you are on bench until they can place you somewhere else.

Its also also better than permanent employment with a large firm because nowadays there is no job guarantee and you could be fired at anytime. You might as well make some money while taking limited risk with a contracting firm.



I don't think lack of knowledge about Multi-threading and operator overloading is a big problem. Most real projects don't need it. But its useful to have theoretical knowledge enough to pass interviews.

Answer 3

a million. in case you have little to no programming journey, i could say initiate with Java. It frees you from various the stressful C++ stuff, like reminiscence administration (no pun meant). you is often much less annoyed in case you pass with Java first. 2. i'm no longer extraordinarily responsive to the two one, yet my impact is that sq. is a separate equipment which may well be built-in with Hypertext Preprocessor or in all danger another environments mutually with ASP. 3. Um...what? final I heard, Dreamweaver became a WYSIWYG cyber web editor. it is no longer a Java IDE. 4. i don't comprehend plenty approximately this. 5. Or this. 6. Compiling is whilst a working laptop or computing gadget takes the source code for a application and produces a sparkling set of records representing the translation of that source code into some executable language (in many circumstances gadget code). Debugging is whilst a programmer has got here across something incorrect with a application (a computer virus) and takes measures to choose the place the subject is, what's inflicting it, and the thank you to restoration it. the two a sort of are particularly undemanding concepts and anybody discovering programming will replace into responsive to them very immediately.

Answer 4

Hello and my name is Brian and the buisness I work for, Minor Cube Solutions, was looking for a person with your knowledge and I was wondering if you would like a job if you would like a job please contact me at [e-mail]