Elysian Shadows

Sorry for the double post, but this is a different question I've been meaning to ask to those more experienced. How do you know when your ready to start searching for jobs in programming, or engineering?, seems like the learning never ends, but there has gotta be a point where you say.. look, it's time to start looking. Lol. Anyone have any clear advice on this?

Thanks all

GameDevver4Evr wrote:Sorry for the double post, but this is a different question I've been meaning to ask to those more experienced. How do you know when your ready to start searching for jobs in programming, or engineering?, seems like the learning never ends, but there has gotta be a point where you say.. look, it's time to start looking. Lol. Anyone have any clear advice on this?

Thanks all

once you have a degree.

avansc wrote:

GameDevver4Evr wrote:Sorry for the double post, but this is a different question I've been meaning to ask to those more experienced. How do you know when your ready to start searching for jobs in programming, or engineering?, seems like the learning never ends, but there has gotta be a point where you say.. look, it's time to start looking. Lol. Anyone have any clear advice on this?

Thanks all

once you have a degree.

Heya avansc, thanks for the reply, but I'm thinking more along the lines of your ability, rather then degree, not that I'm setting aside that answer. Because for example, I'm sure many people that end up with their degree are not as fluent in their abilities ( or am I wrong on this? ). I'm actually not going for a degree in it, but I am interested in the field. That's why my question was about how should you know when your ready before attempting? ( probably should have added that in, my mistake ).

Well its sad, but in todays world they wont even look at you if you dont have a degree(most of the time, there are exceptions). Getting a degree in any field does not mean you are proficient in that field, but it atleast means you SHOULD know what the hell is going on.

now as for if you wanna be a successful programmer, how much experience should you have. i dont know, its different for everyone atleast. and its a ongoing process. but id say that if you have 5-10 years programming experience, you should know enough to hold your own and atleast not make a total fool out of yourself.

now as for when you should attempt to work in the field, honestly, if you dont have a degree atleast in some technical field, than dont, unless you are phenomenal. (if you start you're own thing then its a different story)

I was thinking right out of college, I heard if you go to like MIT or CalTech, there are guy literally out there on graduation day trying to recruit you or something. Well if I graduate college when I am 22, that means I would have 10 years experience in programming, which is a lot if you think about it, it would 5/11 of my life... I have no life


edit: is there such thing as internship for programmers? I think the summer before college, I want to intern at JPL or something.

Well, it's never too early to try, if you're proficient...I guess it all depends where you live and what's around you. There are all kinds of internships and programs for highschool level, even. Everything from Google's "summer of code" to local companies could present an opportunity--especially local universities. Be on the lookout, and don't be afraid to send your resume and a personalized letter to whomever may be able to help.

I interned at Raytheon, Integraded Defense Systems when I was a Junior in high school working with Unit Testing (LMAO!) and wherever else they could stick me. When I was a senior, I got a coding job at a new game development company. I'm still with that one. ;p

Obviously, I got lucky, and had an impressive resume under my belt to prove proficiency. Am I any better a programmer than the next guy? Probably not. I simply know how to sell myself. (see: prostitution)

Now, to actually answer your question...I really have no idea. I really wasn't ready to hop into the industry when I did with Raytheon (to be completely honest with myself). Though I was more than capable of learning as I went and not letting myself become overwhelmed, and I feel I've progressed considerably.

Dude, my first job ever at age 18 was making $14 an hour at a missile defense company as a sophomore in college. I had (and still do have) a secret level security clearance and zero previous work experience. You really need to look into your university's cooperative education program. That's where college students with good grades get to essentially intern on and off with local companies.

I'm working my second programming gig now with Marcel. We're both developing an in-house engine using the Unity3D engine. We're C# developers.

Summers are always hard for me, summer school and summer football practices are like 4 hours long everyday... I said summer before college because of no football or summer school. One of the teachers promised me that they would recommend me for internships my senior year

Also there is a fantastic program to intern at JPL with CalTech, I first have to get into CalTech There are internship programs for HS students in CalTech, but my schedule will not allow

Ah thanks for the insights guys, I think my main plan is to work on a few projects that demonstrate my abilities as a programmer/engineer, and like Marcel said, try to sell myself, and see how far it will get me, I'm not too worried with the actual interviews, or technical questions they could ask. But I want to be well prepared either way, so it sounds like even with little experience you guys have gotten off to a pretty good start in your programming careers .