Best preparation for programming job?

Question

I work for my parents in a small document management company. Almost 3 years ago I began learning how to code in Visual Basic using Visual Studio 2005 and .NET 2.0.

I have read many books since then and attempt (when possible) to learn as much as I possibly can. A problem I have, though, is the tyranny of the urgent, which means that I've mostly learned just what I needed to know in order to make our (my) software programs work.

Based on our current contracts, it looks like we may need to close our business this summer or fall. Anticipating that possibility, my parents and I want to make sure that I am as marketable as possible going into my next job.

I have some college, but no degree. I currently have no certifications. I do have a large body of code that I could display to a potential employer, but I'm feeling like I need to do more.

We have looked into certifications, but I seem to find more questions than answers along that path.

1. Are they even worth it at all?
2. Should I go for MCTS (cheaper and easier) or MCPD ($$$ and hard but probably better)?
3. Once I decide on a track (if I do one at all), should it be book learning, online courses or classroom training?
4. If classroom training, who is reputable? A lot of the "boot camp" and other classroom training websites seem fairly sketchy to me. I'm not sure I would trust them with my money.
5. If book or online training, what are the best resources?
6. Even if I'm not going to pursue the certs, what books should I read to further my knowledge best?

I'm not looking to pad my resume simply to land a job. I want to look more desireable to a potential employer, but I also want to LEARN the material so that I look better AFTER the hire than I did during the interview.

What's a guy to do?

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Duplicate:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/367381/how-to-get-my-first-programming-job

and asked and answered (and closed):

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/439027/landing-a-job-in-web-development-what-does-it-take

Answer 1

Finish your degree if you can, that will make it a lot easier to position yourself in the market. At the same time build a portfolio that represents the work you've done so far. Even if you prepare in advance, most of what you are going to learn is related to the job you (hopefully) get, and then you can spend time to hone your skills to fit.

Answer 2

You've developed, you have experience, and you want a job.

Demonstrate passion and a desire for excellence, and you have no need to pad your resume.

Build something, contribute to open source and get involved in your local .Net community.

Personally, I think certs are a waste of time. But not all employers will feel that way.

I think the value of doing and learning is much greater.

Edit: To echo the other answer, if you're going to do anything, finish your degree (frankly, major doesn't matter). It has waaay more value than certs.

Answer 3

You may want to start looking for an internship as well. This way you can get some hands on experience as well and you never know when the company may like what you do and decide to hire you. No matter what, you will come out of it with more experience.

Answer 4

I agree, finish your degree.

Beyond that, hate to say it, but pad your resume with a few cheaper certs.

I lost out on a large number of jobs I could've easily done (for more than I deserved to make) simply because I lacked (still do) some certifications.

If your languages of choice are Microsoft Languages, you're in some trouble if you lack them. A good number of recruiters won't even pass your resume along without them.

Answer 5

Talk to people. Network. Learn as much as you can.

I'm in the same boat as you; I'm a young guy with no formal education, but I teach myself everything I can possibly get my hands on. Just keep learning, and get some interviews. Show them that you know what you're talking about, and that you would be a good asset.

You need to get out there and get some references and more work experience. With experience, you're just as valuable as the guy with the degree.

Answer 6

I think the best way to learn how to do something is to emulate and learn from someone who already knows. Your test will be to find this person, and it is not necessarily a 1 shot deal. There may be many mentors out there. Start asking around.

Answer 7

This is more advice for the job hunt rather than your actual question.

1. Avoid 3rd party recruiters if at all possible.
2. Check Craig's List.

Answer 8

As an owner of a small development shop I can tell you that I don't put much store in certification.

I think that a portfolio of finished projects is very useful and I might hire someone with a portfolio but no degree. However, having a degree from a good school would ensure a significantly higher starting salary. Over time, I'd certainly be open to letting someone prove their value - and paying them accordingly. At the start, however, the degree would definitely mean more $$s.

Answer 9

Mostly likely you'll end up paying for your own PC and IDE so you might as well be something you like.

Answer 10

Something to do is to focus where within VB and .Net 2.0 would you like to go: Web applications, enterprise windows forms applications, console applications or some combination of the former. Have you done any database work, e.g. Access, MS-SQL, Oracle? Are there other technologies you know besides the VB, Visual Studio 2005, and .Net 2.0? What methodology and process did you use for developing software for your parents' company, e.g. Waterfall, Scrum, Agile, RUP? Did you use any version control? What documentation, bug tracking and specification tools did you use? Do you know the Software Development Life Cycle?

Do you want to go to a company that develops software or do you want to be in the IT department of a company where you'd design in-house application or work for a consulting company that is brought in on projects to integrate some off the shelf software with a corporate client? All are slightly different in terms of how I'd structure my resume and style in terms of going for a position that will be a step up.

Answer 11

The biggest challenge is getting through the HR filter. This is where having certs, degrees, etc. will come in handy.

Answer 12

The bigger the firm, the more important it is to have a degree. Human Resources people often don't know how to read technical resumes. They look for the degree and the right acronyms and put in if the pass or fail pile for follow-up.

People hiring at smaller firms are more likely be to the person you're working with, and are more likely to be able to understand non-degree accomplishments. You're more likely to find work in smaller firms with your experience.

With a degree there are fewer hoops to jump through.