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Ask HN: How do I make programming my job?

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Ask HN: How do I make programming my job?

#1

Post by FuManJew »

I have introduced myself to programming with MATLAB, Python, and Java at work but my job doesn't require me to advance my skills in programming. I want a job that challenges me to program constantly and continue learning. What can I do to get in the field and build my resume?

If I know basic programming and have a BS in physics/astronomy would it be possible to find a 60k+ job? Thanks for any advice.

Re: Ask HN: How do I make programming my job?

#2

Post by johnnyn »

Build something and start contributing to the open source community. Once you have some work out there, I bet you will be able to find a programming job. A lot of great companies don't pay attention to your degree, they will just want good problem solvers who can learn quickly.

Re: Ask HN: How do I make programming my job?

#3

Post by FuManJew »

johnnyn wrote: post #2

Build something and start contributing to the open source community. Once you have some work out there, I bet you will be able to find a programming job. A lot of great companies don't pay attention to your degree, they will just want good problem solvers who can learn quickly.

Thanks johnnyn. Any more advice of where I can go to contribute to the open source community?

Re: Ask HN: How do I make programming my job?

#4

Post by johnnyn »

FuManJew wrote: post #3
johnnyn wrote: post #2

Build something and start contributing to the open source community. Once you have some work out there, I bet you will be able to find a programming job. A lot of great companies don't pay attention to your degree, they will just want good problem solvers who can learn quickly.

Thanks johnnyn. Any more advice of where I can go to contribute to the open source community?

Github is your friend. Create an account and put some of your code on there (outside of work of course ;) ). I'm sure you could come up some a neat Matlab or Python tool to build.

Re: Ask HN: How do I make programming my job?

#6

Post by leeny »

What do you mean by "basic programming"? What do you know already? What are you capable of building? I ask for more details because you may already have enough skills for find an entry-level engineering gig. A physics degree, in particular, bodes very well.

Re: Ask HN: How do I make programming my job?

#7

Post by FuManJew »

leeny wrote: post #6

What do you mean by "basic programming"? What do you know already? What are you capable of building? I ask for more details because you may already have enough skills for find an entry-level engineering gig. A physics degree, in particular, bodes very well.

I have completed two undergrad Intro to Programming courses with Java. I am able to perform 3D data processing in MATLAB, and so far I've used Python to make a wrapper which controls another program as a subprocess. I'm not sure if that gives you an idea of my abilities/knowledge.

Re: Ask HN: How do I make programming my job?

#8

Post by leeny »

FuManJew wrote: post #7
leeny wrote: post #6

What do you mean by "basic programming"? What do you know already? What are you capable of building? I ask for more details because you may already have enough skills for find an entry-level engineering gig. A physics degree, in particular, bodes very well.

I have completed two undergrad Intro to Programming courses with Java. I am able to perform 3D data processing in MATLAB, and so far I've used Python to make a wrapper which controls another program as a subprocess. I'm not sure if that gives you an idea of my abilities/knowledge.

Shoot me an email (contact info in profile) if you think you'd like to give interviewing a shot. Who knows, you might know more than you think!
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