Find a niche and start a company -- solve something you hit as a programmer for example. Expose an API and call it good. You seem uniquely qualified being extroverted and competent. It's a crazy long shot I know but I found that only when I was day-tading (not the same thing) I was happiest because I was earning for myself and making my own hours and best of all trying to see if my hypothesis (or in your case your co…
Ask HN: I'm 24, coding since 14, and I don't know what to do
11–20 of 77 posts
Re: Ask HN: I'm 24, coding since 14, and I don't know what to do
#12It depends upon where you're located. Are you looking for remote work? Its far more difficult to get hired for a remote job than to find one that is local to your area. The bulk of remote jobs go to engineers in inexpensive countries not in places like LA and SF with a high cost of living.
Toronto, ON! I agree
EDIT: there will be lots of smaller companies there that will be more understanding of no-formal-education.
Re: Ask HN: I'm 24, coding since 14, and I don't know what to do
#13A cursory look at the everyday applications that companies get would make you realise how you are far ahead of the curve. I would advice you to not get intimated by job requirements and start applying. If they don't reply, try following up (don't worry you are not intruding). Try reaching out to your network if anyone is up for hiring. Get comfortable doing interviews and meeting people. And don't get discouraged by rejections. Companies, after all, are run by people who have their own biases and idiosyncrasies. They might pick up the wrong impression or you might get rejected for a reason that is far disconnected from your coding ability.
Re: Ask HN: I'm 24, coding since 14, and I don't know what to do
#14Show your project on application and ignore requirements. Just stupid HR could ignore you. Also, pm a CEO or DM/PM.
Thanks Dan, I am currently trying my final attempt and last hope that maybe if I show them a portfolio or link them to my github account, they are willing to hire.
Re: Ask HN: I'm 24, coding since 14, and I don't know what to do
#15It depends upon where you're located. Are you looking for remote work? Its far more difficult to get hired for a remote job than to find one that is local to your area. The bulk of remote jobs go to engineers in inexpensive countries not in places like LA and SF with a high cost of living.
Toronto, ON! I agree
Re: Ask HN: I'm 24, coding since 14, and I don't know what to do
#16Pick one set of tools to be your current 'major', say Swift perhaps and spend time getting better at Swift than the rest of the stuff you know. Apply for Swift jobs and be confident!
One more thing. Always be prepared to switch your major to a new one (language, platform). If you ask me, Elixir/Phoenix has lots of potential and 2017 might be seeing a lot of job openings for it.
Re: Ask HN: I'm 24, coding since 14, and I don't know what to do
#17It depends upon where you're located. Are you looking for remote work? Its far more difficult to get hired for a remote job than to find one that is local to your area. The bulk of remote jobs go to engineers in inexpensive countries not in places like LA and SF with a high cost of living.
Toronto, ON! I agree
Re: Ask HN: I'm 24, coding since 14, and I don't know what to do
#18PS: If I had to pick a focus area I'd do AI. Supply and demand are in your favor.
Re: Ask HN: I'm 24, coding since 14, and I don't know what to do
#19In my experience a software development job is often the easiest way to destroy what you may love about programming. There may be exceptions, but many of the jobs and their limitations cannot compete with coding out of passion. Jobs in the software development industry are not the only way to make use of and grow your programming skills.
Re: Ask HN: I'm 24, coding since 14, and I don't know what to do
#20Also - coding skills alone are not that hot - they just make you into a replaceable cog. However, if you combine this with domain specialization this could make you into a valuable contributor. And by domain specialization I mean what ever is the core business of a business. Tomato delivery logistics? Insurance policy business rules? Trash truck maintenance database operation? (I'm making this up, but most businesses are run by their own rules and terminology - being familiar how they work gives you the right to claim 'domain knowledge').
I'm 100% sure there is a domain for you to specialize out there. You'll find it if you don't give up. Social skills are probably a really good asset here. Stop talking to HR. Start talking to the upper management directly. Everybody likes to interact with a nice person when they have the time - unless they are lizard people, in which instance they should be avoided in any case.