Rusted up Noob Programmer

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Dr@g0nic

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Hi guys,

I graduated last year doing NCIT Specializing in Systems Development at IT Intellect.
Looked for a programming job but struggled a bit, decided to start low and work my way up. I got a job in Desktop Support, moved on to a different company after that with more scope(there are some programming departments), but the job was still in the technical side. Decided to take it and maybe later work my way into the programming departments.

Here's the problem, Since being in the technical side(something I gave up on and that's why I studied programming instead), i've been more involved with that and skipped off on my programming. I tried out making a app for my father yes(there is a thread in here about that aswell lol). But haven't worked on it again.

I've recently installed Visual Studio again I thought I should started scratching around in programming again before I rust myself completely and then why did I study programming if I'm going to forget everything(already have actually)???

My question to you guys is if there is anything I can do to get back into it? I'm going to take out my books again(Introduction to programming, VB.net programming in vs2003, etc) and read through it to get this rust off, like I've said I installed VS2008 again, so I'll see if I can scratch around again. Maybe some suggestions of thing I can do? not much inspiration or creativity at the moment, maybe when I get into it again, I really want to get back into programming. I did VB.Net BTW, did some Basic JAVA, ASP.Net, COM+, ADO.Net too.

Any hints, suggestions, comments or whatever would be greatly appreciated.

ps I should stop being lazy too, i think that's another problem LOL.
 
get some vids online to go over the basics...lots available...if you know where to look...
KillerPHP is a start...
 
i`d suggest SQL admin, specifically microsoft`s t-sql.... goes well with vs.net

pm me if you know vb.net & sql and want to be a programmer. I think my ex-boss is looking for someone. its in Bloemfontein though.
 
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Best thing to do is start a personal project. Create a piece of software that you can be passionate about, and go from there.
 
I'll tell you what I tell all the n00b no experience programmers I took on to train


Think of something to do, and do it. Read up on it. Best practices etc. Nothing beats work experience though so you might want to look for a company willing to take on juniors.

IMHO you made a mistake by trying to work yourself up from desktop support to programming. Either look for a job as a programmer or just do technical side stuff. Its very tough for an employer to promote you to a programmer if you're just this "low life techie"

Technicians are like the brutes of the geekworld. They make **** happen, fix things etc. A world of difference.

It's not impossible, determination and percevering will get you everywhere. don't give up
 
I understand and agree to what your are saying.

But the thing is just looking for a programming job was really getting me no where and I don't want to look for a job the rest of my life and be like the sorry people who moan that they can't find a job. So I decided to get a job rather then sit at home forever and loooking for work where they just look for a minimum of 2-3 years experience. And to not just get a normal whatever-job, at least get into the IT industry. So now I am at least in the industry, even better, I'm at a IT company(previous company was a factory) that has some programming departments, and they first send out vacancies internally.
 
The problem with getting into a decent development position is that you will require experience. The company i am at have learner ship programs, because we hire directly out of WITS and UJ. You will be at the bottom of the food chain and will have to eventually grow from there. It does take time, but in the end it would be worth it if it is in fact the route you want to go.

Apply to your HR department about you internal vacancies if there are any. Or start looking for junior positions, the sooner you get on the better your chances are.

Also if you want to get into a nice paying position try go the route less traveled by many, those fields would be c/c++, python(funnily it is sought after these days).
 
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If you want to stay in your current company:

Look closely at the business. Find an application they could use to organise/steamline some process, even if it's just for the tech department.

Do it quietly on the side or at home, don't talk about it while you're coding in case you have to abandon it, or you realise too late it won't make enough of an impact. Even once it's done don't overdo presenting it, just quietly show it around - because if it sucks and you made a big deal about it..

Once it's done though, present it to your boss and explain how it'll help. If he asks why you coded it just explain how you're interested and really into programming, and you also saw a need in the company for such an application, so why not. Tell him if he ever needs some application written for internal purposes just to give you a shout, you'll do it in your own time just because of your personal interest.

Also, be very careful to code the application in whatever languages/scripts the company uses. He needs to see how easy it'll be to move you over without issues. Also hang around with the other coders when you can, don't just stay locked up the tech dept :P

Lastly... don't pick some crazy project though that will take months. Rather go with several smaller applications rather than one big one.

gl ;p
 
Raithlin said:
Best thing to do is start a personal project. Create a piece of software that you can be passionate about, and go from there.
Click to expand...

I am with Raithlin on this one. Its always been a fav thing with me. pet projects will help you learn and improve you skills.

if you are interested in the web side of things and you got VS ..checkout the ASP.net site for free videos that will help you kickstart things..
 
I think starting off low is laudable, but it tends to mark you in that role. Always try and join a company that has a clearly defined career path and lots of training.
 
Go write Microsoft's MCTS(used to be called MCAD, I think) exams. Lots of software companies like hiring ppl with it because they get some certification if some percentage of their employees have the qualification.

Its 2 exams and you can choose the language VB or C#. I did what you are doing and wrote sw for family when I was learning C#. The MCTS should save you time in learning the language.
 
Just don't download the question banks from the internet to study for the exams. That's just shooting yourself in the foot... I mean, if you have the "certification" you should at least have some skill as well. ;)
 
When getting back into it, reading half way through a book is good. Skip the stuff you know. But programme while reading it. because the sooner you get back into the actual programming, the easier it will come, I felt very bored until I started the actual programming again. You just gotta relearn the syntax, some of the more important libraries you gotta reference, and relearn how to use the debugger, docs and google to find answers. After that you might wanna put the book down.

The best way to become passionate about what you are programming is to make it fun no matter how boring the underlying stuff actually is. Stay away from grey forms with personal projects. They will kill your passion ^_~
 
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Dr@g0nic said:
Hi guys,

I graduated last year doing NCIT Specializing in Systems Development at IT Intellect.
Looked for a programming job but struggled a bit...
Click to expand...

You still in Somerset West because this is the next Technopark. Like us, a lot of development / technical offices a relocating here (SWest). There is a serious shortage of developers and everybody is looking for staff now ( with and without experience ).

Keep your eyes out locally but best bet is to go to Technopark and drop your CV off at all the business. In the 2 yrs that I was there, not once did a developer approach us.

I only got into the industry 2,5yrs ago (at the age of 31 !) and had no experience at all.


And some advice (edit): LEARN SQL ... the skill that ALL developers need yet so few ever bother to learn.

Good luck.
Christopher
 
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Raithlin said:
Best thing to do is start a personal project. Create a piece of software that you can be passionate about, and go from there.
Click to expand...

Nailed it!

start with an app, that has some growth potential - start coding what you can and read up on the stuff that you don't know (or can't remember) how to do.

I can honestly say Raithlin gave the best advice here - just reading ain't gonna get you nowhere, and you'll forget it again - when you NEED to know how to code some function, you WILL need to learn how to do it.

Good luck

heh...I got the same problem though - i'm trying to get all the rust off of me with 3ds Max :D :D

EDIT: oh, I see HumanoidTyphoon gave pretty much the same advice - get started man!
 
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FarligOpptreden said:
Just don't download the question banks from the internet to study for the exams. That's just shooting yourself in the foot... I mean, if you have the "certification" you should at least have some skill as well. ;)
Click to expand...

ROFL so true...

@ cbrunsdonza
HUH!?:eek: Where was I looking... I'll go have a look.
Oh and I did do SQL (just didn't pay much attention in class :P SQL irritated me, but I soon learned that its a very essential little bugger), but If I just take up my books I should get back into it quickly...

@ Andre777
If I should do that I should rather go with C#, seems like people are looking for that one more than VB.

And yes I should really get started... damn this laziness is getting to me already, this lazy ass job that I have now, ROFL. I should just take that step and start up...
 
Wow diggin up the old... But I'm planning on doing my MCTS now or somewhere in the near future, and later on MCP. I've got a MCTS trainging kit and been working through it... but I want to get me a C#(gonna change from VB to C#) book to go through first so I can know more about what all the things are about that they do in that book... Plus it'll be pointless if you do MCTS but you don't even know a language, yes I kinda knew(forgot it already actually) VB but the company I work for mostly do C# so I want to do that rather and later on I can work my way away from tech and into the programming dept.

Anybody know of a good C# book I can get to get me started with C#?
 
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