How to Get a Job as a Developer in Less Than Six Months • Hacker News Board

Re: How to Get a Job as a Developer in Less Than Six Months

#111

Post by jasonkester » Tue, Aug 21, 2012, 9:25 AM UTC

tgrass wrote: post #35

meritt wrote: post #20

While I absolutely applaud the effort and tenacity of this individual, at the same time, I feel a substantial amount of trepidation regarding the current state of the tech / start-up industry. Virtually every hot new startup I see on blogs, it just takes a few minutes of basic penetration testing to find gaping security holes. Everything from simple XSS or CSRF to blatant leaking of sensitive user data. Obviously he…

Next time you cross a bridge, realize civil engineering has the same issue.

No, it doesn't.

Before you can design a bridge, you have to graduate with a four year degree in Civil Engineering. Then you have to pass the Engineer In Training (EIT) exam, then work for four years in the industry (helping with, but never actually able to sign off on, designs), then pass the Professional Engineer (PE) exam specific to the discipline you now have 4 years experience with.

Then you get to design your first bridge and put your stamp and signature on the plans.

So, with that knowledge, how exactly does civil engineering have problems with untrained entry level people signing off on designs for bridges that readers here are likely to drive over?

Re: How to Get a Job as a Developer in Less Than Six Months

#112

Post by zxcvb » Tue, Aug 21, 2012, 9:30 AM UTC

He's a Ruby programmer.... LOL... says it all.

Re: How to Get a Job as a Developer in Less Than Six Months

#113

Post by delinka » Tue, Aug 21, 2012, 10:36 AM UTC

Mentally add: "...if you've never coded/been a developer/have no prior experience."

I came here wondering in what job market a developer has to wait six months to find a job. Oh, no experience. I see.

Re: How to Get a Job as a Developer in Less Than Six Months

#114

Post by MengYuanLong » Tue, Aug 21, 2012, 10:42 AM UTC

I'm unable to access the article but I'm very surprised by many of the comments in this thread. A large number of articles are posted each month belittling (at the very least questioning the value) of non-technical founders. These and similar posts are then filled with sermons advocating individuals learn to code.

Apparently, OP took these statements to heart, put in the effort/time, and what does he get as a result? Derision. What is this community about if it isn't about personal and financial growth coupled with creation?

Perhaps in his post, OP makes some grandiose claim about being a master programmer, okay fine, cut him down. But I suspect it is far less egotistical and merely his way of celebrating a small victory brought about by what is so often advocated: That learning to code really is a way to improve your life.

Re: How to Get a Job as a Developer in Less Than Six Months

#115

Post by supo » Tue, Aug 21, 2012, 11:03 AM UTC

slurgfest wrote: post #108

the_cat_kittles wrote: post #4

You really did a great job! I took longer than you, but I followed a similar path. In hindsight, I can't imagine taking any other path, its been a blast! If I could emphasize one of your points, it would be to MAKE stuff, don't pick out problems out of thin air, MAKE stuff you want! I really happy for you, and I'm really glad you wrote this. I haven't agreed with someone so much in a while! Also, I would reinforce yo…

Genuine question: what does IRC do for getting a job other than taking up time?

I've been using IRC to talk to people who built some of the tools my company uses in our technology stack. This has been an amazing opportunity and a learning experience. You also learn a lot when you hang around and help more novice users with their questions.

I'd say if you don't start talking OT in a IRC channel dedicated to a piece of software/tech, it has a direct positive influence on your skills, which in turn directly influences your job seeking chances. Also, you can meet prospective employers that way.

Re: How to Get a Job as a Developer in Less Than Six Months

#116

Post by chucknelson » Tue, Aug 21, 2012, 11:04 AM UTC

RutZap wrote: post #100

Swizec wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be honest, I think this is true for every profession, not just programming. If you want to stay on top, you have to continually improve your game. Or you can be that guy in the corner who got left behind when the factory tanked and he suddenly found himself unemployable.

Yes this is true for every profession... but in programming it seems to be a more crucial thing as the programming world is changing and evolving faster than any other industry.. just think about what programmers used to do 10 years ago .. and what we do now... think how computers change in 10 years... (my mobile phone is smarter/faster than my state of the art PC from 10 years ago) The progression rate is astonishin…

I agree - software/web development is relentless in its changing and evolving technologies and tool sets. I don't think there are many other professions where the tools available change so quickly and often.

Re: How to Get a Job as a Developer in Less Than Six Months

#117

Post by kamjam » Tue, Aug 21, 2012, 11:11 AM UTC

reinhardt wrote: post #75

mattdeboard wrote: post #56

I got some of these same bitter, angry, defensive responses when I posted my "how I became a developer" post a while back. I dunno what it is about programmers here but for some reason "programmer" is considered some sacred title you have to earn. Whatever.

Right on! The nerve of some programmers to think their profession is in the same league with the big boys that need college and university degrees! Who do they think they are, some kind of scientists or engineers?

I know plenty of programmers without degrees, I was extremely surprised some of them didn't because they were so bloody good! The thing is with having an IT degree, this industry moves so quick how much of what you learnt is still relevant (aside from the OO and SQL)... You have to be CONSTANTLY re-learning new tech otherwise you're not going to be a very good/relevant programmer for long!

Re: How to Get a Job as a Developer in Less Than Six Months

#118

Post by kamjam » Tue, Aug 21, 2012, 11:16 AM UTC

seiji wrote: post #60

mattdeboard wrote: post #56

I got some of these same bitter, angry, defensive responses when I posted my "how I became a developer" post a while back. I dunno what it is about programmers here but for some reason "programmer" is considered some sacred title you have to earn. Whatever.

I wouldn't be happy with someone who only built LEGO bridges running around calling themselves an engineer. A lot of it seems to be ego. People want the shortest path to claiming a title. Ignore silly titles and categorizations. Just make good art.

If you read past the title you'll notice that the guy got a job as a JUNIOR developer. The email he sent out was looking for an internship/apprenticeship/junior programming position open in the area. Doesn't look like he is trying to run before he can walk...

Re: How to Get a Job as a Developer in Less Than Six Months

#119

Post by kamjam » Tue, Aug 21, 2012, 11:19 AM UTC

chucknelson wrote: post #116

RutZap wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes this is true for every profession... but in programming it seems to be a more crucial thing as the programming world is changing and evolving faster than any other industry.. just think about what programmers used to do 10 years ago .. and what we do now... think how computers change in 10 years... (my mobile phone is smarter/faster than my state of the art PC from 10 years ago) The progression rate is astonishin…

I agree - software/web development is relentless in its changing and evolving technologies and tool sets. I don't think there are many other professions where the tools available change so quickly and often.

Totally, but that's kind of the reason the industry is exciting. I get bored writing the same piece of code twice, I'm not sure I'd survive in any other kind of job where I'm doing the same thing day in/day out. I LOVE the fact I still get excited when I learn something new or find a new way of doing something I've done several times before!

Re: How to Get a Job as a Developer in Less Than Six Months

#120

Post by borplk » Tue, Aug 21, 2012, 11:46 AM UTC

technotony wrote: post #30

It's really frustrating reading all the negative comments here. What happened to positive support for people in our community? This guy had a passion, worked his butt off and got a good result... I'm sure he'll go on to many more good things in the future. We should applaud and celebrate this, not knock down how he's not a senior developer yet. Congratulations Jeff!!

It is great to see these posts and I absolutely applaud him for what he has achieved.

Programming, like any other profession takes time to master, how would you react to "How to become a brain surgeon in less than 6 months"?

If you were to have a brain surgery would you choose the guy who was unemployed 6 months ago, or the other one who has been performing these surgeries for the last 20 years, every day?

My point, comparing the two, is to highlight that both of these professions affect us, one a bit more dramatically than the other.

If every medical student got to be a brain surgeon in less than 6 months we would have many more tragic accidents costing lives or making someone permanently disabled but there are many barriers in front of them that prevents this kind of thing and gives the patient some confidence.

I argue that there should be something similar in place in the field of development/programming.

In the same way that I would prefer the more experienced surgeon, I'd prefer the websites I use to be programmed by more experienced programmers, how about the cars we use? the airplanes?