Advice changing careers TOWARDS programming.

Question

I have spent (too) many years in the wonderful world of audio recording and am now looking at returning to one of my original loves: programming. It has been a number of years since I wrote any useable code (originally in C, Pascal, and Basic) and am unsure how to advance. I am interested in programming in C, Objective-C, Python, and JavaScript (I'm a Mac guy)

I have considered returning to college to pursue a degree in Computer Science (since most job posting seem to require one), learning on my own and possibly attempting to get an internship, or just stretching the truth (i.e. lying) my way into a job (fortunately, I'm a quick learner, but I don't think this last one is a good idea).

My question is: With the current programming landscape, what do you feel would be the best approach? I am open to going "mainstream" and programming something other than Macs and iPhones (I just happen to like these).

Answer 1

Go to college if you can, get a degree in computer science, you wont find a decent job otherwise, and if you lie your just getting yourself in a huge bind. Myself, I'm going to college in a few years for the same thing. Maybe I can work for microsoft :p, good luck my friend.

Answer 2

I believe there is quite a bit of opportunity for programers. A degree will certainly allow you to get more interviews and give you a broad background of theory behind how things work.

Answer 3

I started programming by teaching myself. So it can be done, my 2 cents:

Show me an app you coded running on your Iphone and as an interviewer I'd be pretty impressed. This showed you were able to teach yourself how to setup the dev environment, and put together and deploy an app. It shows instinct and energy. These are great places to start. And it makes an interview pretty easy, you can look at code and talk about good and bad points. This is pretty rare, as most people's code is hidden behind the walls of their former employer.

However, that might only get you a pretty junior position.

At some point you'll need to talk the talk. There are books about programming, which I'm sure you can find on this site that will help you speaky the l33t cod3r talk.

Then as you move down this path, you may decide you don't like programming or you do like programming and you want to go to school for it. You might make some contacts in figuring out how to write this app that lead to a job, or heaven forbid, you write a killer iphone app, and we all buy it.

Good luck...

Answer 4

Go the degree, especially if you can pick up a part-time programming job or freelance at the same time. If you can talk your way into a junior position without a degree, but on the understanding that your employer is willing to accomodate your classes, this is probably the ideal situation.

In some cases, if you're confident in your ability, you will be more likely to succeed in freelancing without formal qualifications - most clients are results oriented, so if you have a history of delivering, they tend not to fixate on qualifications the way some employers will.

Answer 5

I would agree that a CS or IT degree from a good college is the best way to get your foot in the door but I believe that experience is king in this industry. If you have a minimum of 3 to 5 years of development experience (and have a lot of work to show) then you won't have a problem getting a job.

If you are young and have the time and money to go back to school then I would say go back to school. If not then I would just try to find any entry level IT or software development job and work your way up from there. Also get involved in open source projects and possibly try to find someone in those projects that could be a mentor for you.

Answer 6

Getting your degree and (re)establishing yourself in the foundations of CS is proven path. If you have the ability to do it, take the high road and get yourself into a good CS program.

However, another approach I would recommend would be to jump right in; combining self learning and training where it makes sense. Get involved in one or more open source projects in an area you are passionate about. Learn the ropes of open source development and contribution. This is an excellent and tangible way to gain experience and credibility. It also has possibilities to open doors into other opportunities. You might also consider focusing on work that your audio recording background compliments. Don't just abandon the skills and experience you already have!

Answer 7

Since you have said that you hav already spend too much time on another vocation i assume you would be hard pressed to do a Comp Sc degreee.

My advice would be to follow up on what you said you like (iPhone market is quite hot right now) and then do a degree in parallel. At thevery least it would tell you whether you still feel the same about programming the way you used to.

Answer 8

They will always say "get the degree" or an equivalent. Forming new passions (or igniting dormant ones) has nothing to do with scholastic education. There is (as you know) a myriad of ways to become involved in programming & development.

I changed careers, erm.. from Poet to Web Developer at age 27, took a few courses at a local JUCO, and yes, I struggled to find work without the B.Sc. and 2 years experience that all the jobs seem to require. However, I started a small project writing html and very simple php, worked on it about once a month for intensive sessions. Two years later, a JavaScript artist and Systems Analyst called my small project a tour de force in net design. It wasn't about how standardized or web 2.0 the work was, but it was a true re-envisioning and re-inventing of myself through a dormant passion. (I too became interested in programming (BASIC) at a fairly young age.)

Programming is inherently prohibitive. It's a strong facet of the work that aspect of "RTFM", "NEWBIE", "FRESH MEAT" and so forth, because it requires at least a good deal of ambition, and then if you're lucky some determination and the ability to keep a regular sleep schedule.

So, my advice is to take some light coursework just to get a feel for being around programmers, professors, and people who feel passionate about programming, even people who claim knowledge where they possess none or very little ---- but don't feel pressed to go for the B.Sc. degree. Ultimately, the reward is greater when you take it as travel, rather then education. It is a journey to change the course of you life.. professional & otherwise. Education is not a journey, but a regimen. Do you want to produce regimental work, or inspired work?

Sure, plenty of B.Sc. grads are inspired programmers, but, dare I say, the majority of them lead mundane careers.

It's a question of passion and vision, rather than pre-requisite for some random recruiters checklist. Go with your heart, and only listen to people who show heart.

You can do it.