What to study to become Software Developer

[GPetS]

Hey all,

I am currently in IT on the technical side; onsite support, helpdesk, server/LAN administration etc.

I am wanting to branch out into software development as I feel moving in this direction is in more demand and prospects of better job offers and salaries.

But I am stuck on where to start:

• Do I just buy the hardcopy books and self study?
• Do I go through an institute that offers online courses?
• What should I study?

I have come across this course:

http://www.theitacademy.co.za/tcp-2_30_285-software-developercomputer-programmer.html

It's about R30k in total with material, excluding MS exams

I also came across these guys:

http://www.it-academy.co.za/software-development-bundle.asp

R7k total, but not sure if legit? Both are the same name.

I know companies still look at qualifications and it's good to have done something through an accredited institute or directly through MS and write those exams as proof as I still feel you need to show you have studied something rather than just say you have the skills and knowledge.

 

[SBSP]

Caution, It will be the worst Job if there is no passion for it. If you wanted to become a programmer then you would have already started playing with code.

From your post I gather you are only considering the dev route because of "Demand", "Salary" ect ect.

If it was me
I would just jump straight into coding in my off time. You wont have to waste money on a career that you might not want to pursue.

 

[JStrike]

BSc CompSci is equivalent. It is almost a requirement.

As far as diplomas are concerned, they carry no more weight than being self taught

 

[Genisys]

Also, a degree goes a long way.

 

[GPetS]

I recently started looking at Ruby as I read its a good starting point and used widely. I have been going through the lessons on learnrubythehardway.org

So far it's been interesting and quite fun. But I am not far into it.

I am also tired of technical support and want to do something else in IT and thinking this route would be a good option. I am not getting any younger and a technical support role I feel is not feasible as you age.

 

[C4Cat]

If you have the discipline to self-study, and don't want to invest too much, then go that route. You can get certified in a particular language without needing to be part of an educational institution. At least that's the case for Java - not sure if all languages offer similar certifications. You could also use online places like udemy to supplement your books.

Haven't personally done any of the courses you mention, I did the self study route in Java, but that was about 15 years ago.

Caution, It will be the worst Job if there is no passion for it. If you wanted to become a programmer then you would have already started playing with code.

This is nonsense sorry. You don't have to have a 'passion' for it to be a competent programmer, only if you want to excel and reach the top! You must enjoy it though, obviously. He wants to start playing with code now, I don't know where this "you would have started already..." stuff comes from. I was 30 when I started coding and have been doing so ever since.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

You don't need a degree but not having one makes it harder to get the interviews you really want. Trust me, I'm 41 and struggled to get interviews as I had no degree when I started (was only 31 when I eventually got a job as a developer). Once I started to complete my degree (part-time UNISA) I started saying no to interviews.

Some of the best developers I get to work with are non-graduates but they don't get things as easy as the graduates do.

 

[Genisys]

You don't need a degree but not having one makes it harder to get the interviews you really want. Trust me, I'm 41 and struggled to get interviews as I had no degree when I started (was only 31 when I eventually got a job as a developer). Once I started to complete my degree (part-time UNISA) I started saying no to interviews.

Some of the best developers I get to work with are non-graduates but they don't get things as easy as the graduates do.

Yes and no. Experience will always be prefered above a degree, but often a degree is just better suited.

 

[GPetS]

You don't need a degree but not having one makes it harder to get the interviews you really want. Trust me, I'm 41 and struggled to get interviews as I had no degree when I started (was only 31 when I eventually got a job as a developer). Once I started to complete my degree (part-time UNISA) I started saying no to interviews.

Some of the best developers I get to work with are non-graduates but they don't get things as easy as the graduates do.

What did you study at UNISA?

I agree with a degree. Options are open to my wife who has a BA even if not using it, employers look at it and it goes a long way.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Yes and no. Experience will always be prefered above a degree, but often a degree is just better suited.

How it works in the world of recruitment:

- Getting a job through networking, degree optional.

- Looking for a job without using networking, degree required.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

What did you study at UNISA?

I agree with a degree. Options are open to my wife who has a BA even if not using it, employers look at it and it goes a long way.

I did not have the option of full time university. UNISA is not the only option but its the most accessible and most widely recognised. Don't be tempted with so called UK university 1-2 year BScs as they will often not be recognised by prospective employers. There are some better 3 yr UK correspondence courses that are becoming popular as UNISA has really dropped the ball of late.

Often you will end up being interviewed by graduates, some even with Phds, and they will quickly catch you out if you took a short cut. Just today alone the interview panel for one candidate comprised of a BSc graduate and a Phd graduate. And this was for our most junior position.

 

[Genisys]

I did not have the option of full time university. UNISA is not the only option but its the most accessible and most widely recognised. Don't be tempted with so called UK university 1-2 year BScs as they will often not be recognised by prospective employers. There are some better 3 yr UK correspondence courses that are becoming popular as UNISA has really dropped the ball of late.

Often you will end up being interviewed by graduates, some even with Phds, and they will quickly catch you out if you took a short cut. Just today alone the interview panel for one candidate comprised of a BSc graduate and a Phd graduate. And this was for our most junior position.

Strange. I've went for many an interview, and I've yet to meet someone with a PhD. Well, ok, I once went for an interview at an University, but that doesn't count, most academics will have a PhD.

 

[cguy]

Yes and no. Experience will always be prefered above a degree, but often a degree is just better suited.

In my experience, this (first part) is almost never true. Experience is great when paired with a degree, but otherwise, it is almost certainly the wrong type of experience. The exception is generally when a company wants an employee with a degree, but really doesn't need one. In general, if you have a degree, it is better to find work that actually requires it, in order to get the right experience, and to do more interesting things.

 

[cguy]

Strange. I've went for many an interview, and I've yet to meet someone with a PhD. Well, ok, I once went for an interview at an University, but that doesn't count, most academics will have a PhD.

I've always had PhDs on the panel for every one of my interviews - once or twice, everyone who interviewed me had PhDs. There is a lot of selection bias here: if you don't have the right qualifications, you won't get the opportunity to interview, or even have the opportunity come your way.

Note, none of this says that you won't get good opportunities without a degree, but rather that without i, some doors are closed, and those doors often represent pretty lucrative and interesting opportunity.

 

[DA-LION-619]

I've always had PhDs on the panel for every one of my interviews - once or twice, everyone who interviewed me had PhDs. There is a lot of selection bias here: if you don't have the right qualifications, you won't get the opportunity to interview, or even have the opportunity come your way.

Note, none of this says that you won't get good opportunities without a degree, but rather that without i, some doors are closed, and those doors often represent pretty lucrative and interesting opportunity.

I think it's fair to mention you're not a local so the interview processes you went through or perform is not equally the same to the South African context.

 

[cguy]

I think it's fair to mention you're not a local so the interview processes you went through or perform is not equally the same to the South African context.

The same is true for every interview I had in SA. My two 100% PhD interviewers interviews were actually in SA (and I took both jobs).

 

[DA-LION-619]

The same is true for every interview I had in SA. My two 100% PhD interviewers interviews were actually in SA (and I took both jobs).

Cool. That's interesting, you were doing/done with your Masters at the time? Also what sector was this.

 

[cguy]

Cool. That's interesting, you were doing/done with your Masters at the time? Also what sector was this.

Engineering and tech. One I started in my last year of my Masters, the other after I finished my PhD.

When you're a postgrad or in one of these highly technical companies, a lot of jobs come from "word on the street". "Company X is hiring", "Company Y is top tier", etc., rather than ads or recruiters, since the latter two tend to result in a poor signal to noise ratio.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Strange. I've went for many an interview, and I've yet to meet someone with a PhD. Well, ok, I once went for an interview at an University, but that doesn't count, most academics will have a PhD.

We have a division that is a Phd fly trap ... either the team member has a Phd or is in the process. We also have so many MBAs that soon it will be a requirement for even the janitor role

 

[Genisys]

We have a division that is a Phd fly trap ... either the team member has a Phd or is in the process. We also have so many MBAs that soon it will be a requirement for even the janitor role

I'm actually considering doing an MBA, and then my master after that. MBA seems like a fairly major thing these days.