C# Development study advice

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DarkStorm

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Hi all

I'm in need of some info regarding C# Development, where to start, accreditations, institutions etc.
I would prefer to do it either online or purchase the text books and just self study & write the exam, and was wondering would this be possible in a year, if you are willing to work hard and put in about 3 - 4 hours a day and most of weekends ?

I did some research and most of the Colleges and Private institutions are a bit pricey, some going as high up as R50K a year, for a 3 year course... i don't have that kind of money to spend now.

I also don't wan't to go and do a Bsc degree,

Unisa is an option but seems they only have this Intro to C# as short course

http://brochure.unisa.ac.za/slp/showprev.aspx?d=l_4_730_90&f=p_76804

Only other affordable online course provider i found was
http://www.it-academy.co.za/software-development-bundle.asp

But i took the trial and seems all they do is group articles and content together and in the end you must still pay extra and register for the external exam from MS.

So one can actually just download ebooks and save yourself the costs.

I'm basically looking for an accreditation that would enable me to be qualified for a job as a Junior C# Developer.

Any advice / help / guidance will be much appreciated.

Thanks for reading and thanks in advance.
 
I also agree with Mike, the BSC certainly won't hurt you, it can only help you!

Microsoft Virtual Academy - Free Training

Software Development Fundamentals (http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy....re-development-fundamentals#?fbid=Pe8COPMkR4o)
C# Fundamentals for Absolute Beginners (http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy....tals-for-absolute-beginners#?fbid=Pe8COPMkR4o)
What's new in Visual Studio Jump Start (http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy....tals-for-absolute-beginners#?fbid=Pe8COPMkR4o)
Enterprise Developer Camp Jump Start (http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy....tals-for-absolute-beginners#?fbid=Pe8COPMkR4o)
Building Modern Web Apps Jump Start (http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy....-modern-web-apps-jump-start#?fbid=Pe8COPMkR4o)
Tune your site and web apps to maximize traffic jump start (http://www.microsoftvirtualacademy....maximize-traffic-jump-start#?fbid=Pe8COPMkR4o)

You will also get information about accreditation on Microsoft Virtual Academy.

Hope this helps.
 
If not a Bsc the how about a National Diploma? Not expensive, most of the focus is programming and it's not difficult. At the end you'll have paper behind your name.
 
If you don't want to do a degree then I'd suggest just doing the Microsoft exams up to a MCSD/MCPD/whatever it's called these days. You can get the material online for free and just pay for the exams through prometric or someone.

https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-za/mcsd-certification.aspx

EDIT: Companies love this by the way, as they need a certain amount of MS exams to get/keep their partner level.
 
Bsc is hard work (duh :P). If you could find a job that'll help pay for the studies, that could work.

I usually pay just enough to register for the semester. Come exam time, UNISA start moaning about money, so I pay the rest. All with my credit card. In between I'm usually playing catch up.

It's a lot of time and a lot of money. It's far from easy. I'm not exactly the study type, but I'm trying. I'm also fortunate enough to have a development position in my company, so I got that going for me.

Pretty much everyone is looking for people with Bsc's these days. Definitely recommend going that route.
 
@ OP - after many a time coming onto MyBB and asking the same type of advice, I've enrolled into a BSc through Unisa. Yes, it's tough, but I'm loving it. A lot more fun than I thought it would be :) also, you have the added monkey on your back of knowing you have to complete something by a certain date or you get penalized. You don't have that when you're trying to learn something hard on your own. Also, they give you something to aim for - build this program, build that etc. if you're just hammering away on your own, you might bored as well.
 
Just studying C# won't make you a good developer.
Having a BSc behind you won't either, but by having done it you'll have the skillset and knowledge to get yourself there.
 
froot said:
Just studying C# won't make you a good developer.
Having a BSc behind you won't either, but by having done it you'll have the skillset and knowledge to get yourself there.
Click to expand...

Correct. I've met guys with masters in comp sci that were totally useless developers.
 
Whenever someone asks me what they need to study I say, "Think of a program you want to write, and write it"

Best learning tool I've seen is practice.

Thank yaweh for the internet. Stackoverflow will help you a lot. 15 years ago it was quite insane trying to find anything remotely answering your questions

+1 on the bsc too. you can do both at the same time and still keep a job to pay for the studies. Institutions charging 50k+ a year for 3 years don't give you what you need at the end of the day. And if you want to work internationally a degree really helps.
 
envo said:
Whenever someone asks me what they need to study I say, "Think of a program you want to write, and write it"

Best learning tool I've seen is practice.

Thank yaweh for the internet. Stackoverflow will help you a lot. 15 years ago it was quite insane trying to find anything remotely answering your questions

+1 on the bsc too. you can do both at the same time and still keep a job to pay for the studies. Institutions charging 50k+ a year for 3 years don't give you what you need at the end of the day. And if you want to work internationally a degree really helps.
Click to expand...

Newsgroups worked pretty well. In fact they where better. Fewer w**nkers :D
 
is BSC the best option? I am looking to study a degree as well, I am currently employed as a developer, doing C#, but I am also laerning other languages, and would like to aim for something open source in the end?
 
Lord Nikon6 said:
is BSC the best option? I am looking to study a degree as well, I am currently employed as a developer, doing C#, but I am also laerning other languages, and would like to aim for something open source in the end?
Click to expand...
I always see it as the BSc being the piece of paper that facilitates growth. Senior positions typically require a degree. It doesn't necessarily show that you know how to design, develop, test or integrate, but it does demonstrate other attributes such as analytical ability, discipline, perseverance and so forth. It's therefore a pre-requisite IMO.

Certs should be used to supplement existing skills that you have acquired.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
I always see it as the BSc being the piece of paper that facilitates growth. Senior positions typically require a degree. It doesn't necessarily show that you know how to design, develop, test or integrate, but it does demonstrate other attributes such as analytical ability, discipline, perseverance and so forth. It's therefore a pre-requisite IMO.

Certs should be used to supplement existing skills that you have acquired.
Click to expand...

Makes complete sense. I will see if I can take the plunge for next semester.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
I always see it as the BSc being the piece of paper that facilitates growth. Senior positions typically require a degree. It doesn't necessarily show that you know how to design, develop, test or integrate, but it does demonstrate other attributes such as analytical ability, discipline, perseverance and so forth. It's therefore a pre-requisite IMO.

Certs should be used to supplement existing skills that you have acquired.
Click to expand...

/looks at my N.Dip
/gives up on any real future in this industry
 
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