How to become a programmer without formal education?

Question

Hello,
I am very interested in career in programming as I like to solve problems and think logically. I want to someday be part of software development team and program useful applications. My issue is that I already have a bachelor's degree in Economics and Business. I know that many programming jobs don't require formal education, but be able to show past work and show them that you know how to program in certain language that job entails.
My plan of study is this: I'll be learning Python and at the same time, I'll be reading a book on algorithms, and also a book called "Code Complete." After this, I'll work on some problems with Scheme. Then, I want to be familiar with C, and finally after this, I'll start learning C# and I'll decide on what area I'll want to focus on with .NET framework and get one of the Microsoft certification. I want to make sure that I understand the foundation of programming so I'll be adaptable with this fast paced industry.
I have few concerns. I am 26 years old and about to turn 27. By the time, I'll be ready to get a programming job, I'll be 28. Would employers consider hiring a programmer with no experience who's close to 30? As with most jobs I find on job posts, most would require at least couple years of experience. How would I go about finding a programming job without any experience?
Also, I currently hold an inside sales position. Should I look into getting some kind of IT position? If so, what type of job could I get with no experience and minimum education so I can get my foot in the door? Any suggestions with my career change, I would greatly appreciate it!!!

Answer 1

A programming job with no experience is called internship. Personally, I'd rather get one 30 year old intern with a business degree than two 16 year olds, because with you I'd know you're serious about your career, while a 16 year old is a crap shoot. When I was a biochemistry researcher, I had a student in her 40s, who ran a fashion boutique on Times Square, but decided that she wants to do some science -- and she was a lot more attentive and thorough than any straight-A college kid.

Same in software industry, where I am now. Most people are in their 30s, serious about their work now and about their plans for the future, regardless of experience. I don't think formal education ever even came up with anyone here.



It is great that you want to learn foundations of programming -- I approve of Scheme very much. Personally, I think a perfect programmer should know at least one language of each family (functional, imperative, object-oriented, prolog, forth-like, and even APL-like if you're as crazy about programming as me -- although you never know, I've interviewed for an APL/J position at a financial firm in Manhattan once). You might never ever need Scheme in your career, but it will make you understand a lot of things that aren't taught in a C course and that are hard to get a feel for by reading a dry discrete math textbook. I disagree with the other poster who says Python has little commercial use. My company, for example, uses it for a whole lot of intercomponent goo, while core components are written in c++ or java or whatever else is necessary. Can't say we'd hire someone just for python skills, but they are a plus.



Of course it might be too late to try to learn everything, so, prioritize goals. I'd go with: learn algorithms (using python, scheme and c++ or java would be perfect while you do that. You don't have to learn all about the languages but you should see how the same algorithms transform when you switch languages), understand software development process, once you understand *how* it's done you can really see what do you want to do and where would you'd fit -- development, QA, maybe even packaging or something hardware-oriented. See what kind of industries there are -- web, embedded, system, talk to people who do each.. and then, once you know the direction - dig in: intern, entry level job, and up and up, until you're the CTO and your business degree is all coming back to you :)

Answer 2

You'll have to decide what kind of applications you wish to program, and your education in business can be a real leg up if you wish to leverage it. Learning a bunch of languages isn't going to be that helpful unless you're a general purpose programmer.



C++ is good for embedded programming, game programming and Unix graphical desktop programming. Also number crunching for those scientific applications. If you want to do scientific programming, it's really good to know Matlab, and Fortran.



Python and Perl excel at task automation. If I need to join 50 text files together in a particular format or perform some other basic data manipulation and I'd like to be done in a hour or less, I'll pick up python every time.



.NET excels at office integration, if you need to grab all that data from excel sheets and perform some business analysis on it, then its a good pick. Certification can help make up for lack of a formal education, but your business experience will probably speak louder as you'll become viewed as somebody who gets it from an accounting point of view.

Answer 3

1) Start with http://www-old.oberon.ethz.ch/WirthPubl/AD.pdf It's the best programming course I've ever found. (Figure on 6 months of just this.)



2) Forget Python. It's nice, but it's not used much commercially. C# is good, but you should start with C++. Although you can use C# in Linux, most companies looking for Linux coding prefer a non-Microsoft language. (For many reasons, only one of which is refusal to support Microsoft.)



3) 30? Sure. You'll be starting as an entry-level programmer. With 2 years of non-paid experience, you're ahead of someone fresh out of school. And if you learn programming, not just languages, you're WAY ahead of most candidates. (I always give a little programming test - in a language I invented just for the test. A programmer looks at it, writes the code, and wonders why I gave him such a trivial test. A "languager" looks at it and can't figure out where to begin, because the language is like nothing he's ever seen. He's politely shown to the parking lot at that point.)



4) Get to know the IT people in the company. Schmooze. After you get to know them, ask them if there's a way to get your foot into their door. Knowing someone inside is better than a Microsoft certification. Either one just gets you in the door, but would you rather talk to a friend or interview an applicant? Most people would rather hire someone they know.

Answer 4

It is very hard to start that age in programming, but keep trying the rewards are worth it ;)



For a beginning job, look for a junior position (and yes, it will be hard to get a job), impress and keep on impressing.



Few tips:

Try contributing to open source projects

Get a blog and write about your experiences with programming

Write heaps and heaps of sample code

Try freelancing for experience



HTH and good luck!

Answer 5

Well.... um you can always search up stuff on Google and start learning stuff.



Things you need to learn depends on what kind of programs you want to develop. I'm 13 btw so yeah.



Anyways things you should focus on are .NET Framework, C++, and Flash. But these are just simplified program development for moderate users but that's what I recommend. If you go further you'll end up developing your own platform for developing programs. Learn how to make scripts and manual file making.



Manual file creation

Open Notepad

type in stuff..... yeah

File > Save As

Select All Files and type in .



But I'm just a kid. I develop some programs.... just for my use.

Answer 6

lots of practice and an adiction to caffine and smokes