[vaironl]

How did you break into the software development industry?

Hello Everyone,

I'm studying for my final exams and am currently taking a break to ask somewhat of a FAQ and stupid question. But, I hope to find different answers that can help me understand more about this subject and somewhat that went through a similar experience.

At the moment, when I have time to spare, I develop applications (Java) to learn more about subjects I don't understand or subjects which are new to me. For about 6 months now I've also been looking for software development jobs. I had a job in early January 2012 as an Android Developer, which I enjoyed but had to resign because of school duties. Now that I'm finishing my first semester of college I will qualify for more internships, and other barriers that prevented me from working in the some companies have been unblocked. So what should I do now?

I would really like to hear where did you start? Did you have to relocate? Found a remote job? Also would someone being interested in developing games had to move to California? Or someone interested in private companies move to Virginia?

These are only example questions, so please feel free to add whatever I missed. Also pardon me for things that don't make sense and grammatical errors.

Thanks.

[Python_4_President]

I started working at a company as a customer support guy. Made friends with the IT guy and got him to install a Python interpreter on my machine. (I didn't know anything about Python at the time)

Then, as a way to learn Python, I automated parts of my job that were better handled by a computer and impressed some people, including my predecessor for my current position.

He was basically a human file server/syntax checker/mail server. He quit, though, so I got the position, then automated it. Then I automated some other stuff that caused me grief indirectly. Now I just kinda maintain the stuff I built and work on pet projects.

In short: I just became one.

[trevster344]

My dad said to my brother and I "Boys.. today you stop playing video games for a minute and start making them. Here's some copies for VB6. Install it, and see what you can come up with". Needless to say I was the only one to really try to learn it, and here I am 8 years later.. and still haven't finished a single game, but I did fall into creating a lot of business management software for various companies and I'm quite happy with that side.

[jon.kiparsky]

vaironl, on 30 November 2012 - 07:10 PM, said:

How did you break into the software development industry?

Waited around the back of the building until everyone left. Crowbar, window, in and out before you know it.
Got lotsa good stuff, too.

[depricated]

I started on the path a good 17 years ago. I say started, because I didn't actually 'break into' the industry til a few months ago. The day I got internet access I started trying to figure out how to make stuff on it. Taught myself HTML, CSS, Javascript, light PHP and MySQL usage - over the course of those first 10 years. Nothing impressive, nothing fantastic, but always something I loved to do and had fun with. I hadn't even considered the possibility of making a career out of it at that point, it was just a hobby.

Fast forward. I got in to working IT, did some automation through scripting, but never really got any recognition for it (just hassle - that's the corporate world of IT. What you do is only noteworthy when it threatens SLAs). Paper tigers at my old job get up in arms when I say I refuse to work a specific account and would be looking for a new job, fire me instead. That was the opening I needed.

As side projects, I run several websites, have made several free applications for friends to use, contributed to collaborative projects. I also went to ITT tech for a 2-year degree, focused on Software Development (which, by the way, only do if you're going to dedicate your time independently to learning. The materials they give you are good, but they're not the greatest school).I had built up an, if not impressive, at least sufficient portfolio. When I began job hunting, I threw my resume out for IT and for Programming. One place contacted me regarding IT but was looking for someone who could also program - to fill a unique role as a developer specifically for their team rather than the organization. I needed the IT background to qualify for the team, and the development background for the job they wanted to bring me in for.

I've been doing a lot in just VBA, but we're in the process of transitioning it to .NET now. I'm still at the very beginning of my development career, but I couldn't be happier about it. This is exactly what I've been chasing for about 5 years.

[Sergio Tapia]

Girlfriend (now my wife ) got pregnant and I stopped dicking around University and programmed my ass off. 5 years later I make a kickass living off it and get to dick around the computer while my code "compiles".

We truly are blessed in this industry! (Except IT people, they're fucked! I hate how they are abused.)

[DarenR]

Went to college and 2 weeks later got a job......actually i started in BASIC in the 80's and strayed away when my highschool guidance lady said "computers are a fad you should go into engineering" So i did and hated it and 10 years later went back to my original love of computers.

[modi123_1]

I would direct your attention to the two pinned threads in the cubicle corner on the 'Q&A with the Experts'.

http://www.dreaminco...th-the-experts/
http://www.dreaminco...826-qa-answers/

[gabehabe]

vaironl, on 30 November 2012 - 07:10 PM, said:

How did you break into the software development industry?

I lost my anal virginity.. twice.

[no2pencil]

& the sad thing is you gave it up for a job coding in FoxPro!

[BenignDesign]

... cuz he wants it up the ass every. day.

[jon.kiparsky]

gabehabe, on 03 December 2012 - 10:09 AM, said:

vaironl, on 30 November 2012 - 07:10 PM, said:

How did you break into the software development industry?

I lost my anal virginity.. twice.

... a day

This post has been edited by jon.kiparsky: 03 December 2012 - 08:14 AM

[modi123_1]

gabehabe, on 03 December 2012 - 09:09 AM, said:

vaironl, on 30 November 2012 - 07:10 PM, said:

How did you break into the software development industry?

I lost my anal virginity.. twice.

Oh I see you were introduced to the interviews where you walk into a generic office and are told to sit down on a black couch. Where the "talent agent" has to record your interview and tells you can make up to a thousand dollars a contract day.

[gabehabe]

no2pencil, on 03 December 2012 - 03:11 PM, said:

& the sad thing is you gave it up for a job coding in FoxPro!

Glutton for punishment. You should see the uniform I have to wear for work, it's degrading.

[no2pencil]

You should see the uniform I'd make you ware.