How do you become a programmer?

Question

I have a friend who has a degree in Mechanical Engineering (Masters) and he's looking to shift his focus to programming. Does anyone have any ideas or clues on how he can do this?

For example, how many hiring managers would look at a mechanical engineer's resume and would even want to hire the person since his education does not include Computer Science?

Should he try to go to college and get an associate's degree - and in these days - are those even worth pursuing to get a foot in the door?

He has worked on some personal projects before, but nothing substantial. But everyone's got to start somewhere and he needs some pointers on what he can do.

Answer 1

Just start programming.

I wouldn't hire anyone who hadn't shown themselves to actually enjoy programming in a substantial way. I wouldn't personally look too closely at the degree involved, but I would want to see evidence of personal or open source projects if they didn't have commercial experience.

Additionally, if your friend does some programming in his spare time he'll have more idea of whether or not he really enjoys it.

Answer 2

There are a lot of places that would be willing to hire a mechanical engineer with experience in programming for a programming position, but most software shops would not. For the majority of places, a B.S. is required. I personally don't even think an Associates is worth having or listing on a resume. Most people won't care.

If he's serious about a career in software development, I would have to say he probably should get a degree in CS.

The most important thing is for him to program for fun. He won't learn much in school, that's mainly for the piece of paper you get at the end... you really need to learn on your own and be able to show what you've accomplished and learned from working outside of school or a job.

Answer 3

He should write some code. And BTW, as someone who has interviewed hundreds of people, I don't care what kind of degree they have, or even if they have one.

Answer 4

I've known some really talented programmers that don't have a Comp Sci degree. But I think if you are serious and starting out a bachelors is worth pursuing.

I'm sure you've heard the common writing advice, "A writer writes, all the time." Which basically means, that people who are serious about writing do it all the time to improve their ability.

Well, a programmer programs, all the time.

Answer 5

• The simple answer is this: start programming. That is the basic answer to the basic questions.

• In terms of getting a job, it would probably be useful for someone with no official programming experience to either earn some type of degree or certifications from accredited colleges/universities/programs, or go the free-lance route and build up a suitable portfolio of work. If you can't demonstrate in some fashion that you know something, nobody is going to take the chance on hiring you when there is already a glut of actual programmers out there of varying quality trying to get jobs.

Answer 6

I wouldn't think that the associates degree would help much. I personally have a computer engineering degree during which I only took two basic programming related classes. If he is currently working somewhere that has a programming department, I would look at getting moved over there if possible. It would also help to get involved in some open source projects.

Answer 7

Reading Stack Overflow. He will be an uber-programmer in matter of hours xD.

Answer 8

My friend's father worked at a geophysics company. He told her that he'd rather hire physics people and teach them to program than hire programmers and try to teach them the necessary physics.

So if your friend learns to code, it's quite likely he'll be even more valuable to a company like that, one who's got plenty of mechanical engineers that he can relate to, where he can help translate their work into code.

Answer 9

I don't have a CS degree, and I've been programming professionally for the past 7 years.

In fact, most employers know that an engineering degree is more appropriate for real world programmers than a CS degree. I hold an MSEE, so your friend with an MSME should do just fine.

Answer 10

The difficult part is getting that first programming/IT job.

One route is to do enough hobyyist/open-souce work that you can really sell yourself (or be so succesful that you don't need to.

Alternatively you need to get that first entry level position. Having done a serious amount of programming helps, but you are really selling yourself as having potential.

There are employers who will consider entry-level people with good qualifications/background in non-IT subjects without CS degrees. I would look at organsiations such as Civil Service and large banks and IT companies. If they have a graduate entry scheme you have a chance.

I've been that route myself (albeit many years ago) and my son (engineering degree) has done more or less the same thing a year or two back.

Answer 11

I've never get my higher degree, and still, don't have any problems with job. Maybe in USA situation is different, but here, in almost every european country experience outbeats education.
So, simple answer for me is: if you'll become a guru for yourself, you'll not face any borders.

Answer 12

1. In general, the best way to become a programmer is to write programs. It seems like a silly answer, but in general, it doesn't matter what type of program he does. It doesn't even need to be advanced or particularly complicated.
2. Someone with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering is clearly an intelligent person, and most managers will ask to see an example of his code. Again, doesn't need to be huge, just representative of his skill and style. Style is very important.
3. In general, larger companies will care more about degrees, and smaller, family or startup businesses will look at someones examples more carefully.
4. The single best way to find out whether or not it is worth it or possible to switch focus to programming is to go out and look for jobs. Apply to several, go to an interview, and ask questions. And if he gets a job while doing that, then he's already succeeded.

Answer 13

In order to be a writer, you write. In order to be a programmer, you program. Fancy degrees can help you get a foot in the door, but some of the best programmers don't have degrees in programming. In fact, programming has very little do with standard comp sci degrees from colleges. Just tell them to be a good programmer and that will create job opportunities.

Answer 14

Read the article Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years, by Peter Norvig!

A small quote:

• Get interested in programming, and do some because it is fun. Make sure that it keeps being enough fun so that you will be willing to put in ten years.

• Talk to other programmers; read other programs. This is more important than any book or training course.

• Program. The best kind of learning is learning by doing.

Answer 15

Lots of practice, lots of effort, and lots of mistakes.

Answer 16

Where I live it's difficult to get into a programming job if you don't have a formal qualification or a fair bit of commercial experience in the area. It was different years ago when computing graduates were few and far between, but nowadays there are so many people coming out of university with computing degrees as well as a load of unemployed, experienced programmers who are willing to take less pay in order to get a job in the current climate.

Your friend does have a pretty relevant degree though, not just any old idiot can get a mechanical engineering degree - the type of skills and mindset needed to do that are the same as what is needed to succeed at programming too. If he can provide some examples of programming work he has done then he may be able to get a foot in the door somewhere.

Answer 17

Your friend needs to have some form of programming education or degree. Getting an associates computer programming degree will ensure that he has the required proficiency and exposure in programming. This will not only help him get his foot in the door but would also add value to his resume. Since your friend does not have substantial experience it would be apt to take this route.