Need advice from IT guys/ programmers - how do I get rolling?

[The Catch-Wrestler]

So I completed a few years at a technical academy when I was 18-20, certificate of completion C++ 1200 hours. C++ was awesome, I programmed very well - my professor indicated I would have no issue having a career in the field.

I know SQL Server, Access, Excel (lol like excel or access count), ect. Html from when I was a kid XD

I was very proficient with all the languages, and the professor lined up a job with the state for me and I worked there for about 6 months. It was so incredibly boring and lame (this is before videos could be watched easily online), but the money was outrageous (for my age). But I was into bodybuilding, powerlifting and preferred selling memberships at the gym. I figured I'd have all the time in the world to work something boring, so I should just do what I enjoy at that age. In other words, I'm a complete moron who can't prioritize properly regarding long-term monetary decision-making. But I'm older, I realize I'm an idiot, and this is apparently, a valuable skill I actually possess (programming)

Now several years later, it appears my best course of action is to take those skills and use them. What languages should I be looking into (C++ is somewhat antiquated.. apparently) - but after some research I've found these newer languages are certainly not as difficult as C++ is, so learning them shouldn't be too difficult. How would I best land a decent position with this limited experience?

I'm thinking start looking for a Jr. Programmer position with a cool company who is willing to let me demonstrate knowledge and don't take degrees and certificates too seriously- and then produce good work, and build my resume from there. I manage a call center now (sales) and the IT guys here are very cool and I may be able to start working part-time as a JR programmer for them and split my time, initially, mainly for resume-building and hands-on experience. I have plenty of sales skills so I'd have no problem selling my abilities to other companies, as well.

Just curious if any of you guys have made this type of leap before and what the most valuable assets/languages I can bring to the table.

Thanks a bunch amigos. Been a while! Many thanks for the help guys.

 

[DariusTheGreat]

SQL will help you get a job as a data analyst/database admin if you want to take that route. Also, excel is not useless man, its quite powerful and knowing excel is definitely a plus.

 

[The Catch-Wrestler]

SQL will help you get a job as a data analyst/database admin if you want to take that route. Also, excel is not useless man, its quite powerful and knowing excel is definitely a plus.

Really... SQLserver I figured would be a plus... excel not so much. Very cool man... learning something already. So I'll make sure to brush up on both. Thanks man, honestly.

 

[Krimzon]

excel and access are two of the most popular softwares for data management/analysis (how it performs is a different matter) and the vast majority of its users are not advanced users. This is why, if you really are an expert with them, it is useful.

 

[Joe Wong]

@Bezos

IT crew checking in!

I actually started one of the most well known e-retail sites ever known to man. Let me know if I could help you with anything.

 

[FierceRedBelt]

IT crew checking in!

I actually started one of the most well known e-retail sites ever known to man. Let me know if I could help you with anything.

Slip me a few million on the low homie.

 

[Rhood]

A little tab of ecstasy wouldn't hurt.

 

[CodeBreaker]

Try .Net programming (C# or VB)

Very easy, it's why I have so much time browsing sherdog instead of programming

 

[Fugazy]

He should learn assembly if he really wants to just relax and browse the web all day.

Whats that?

 

[Jack Reacheround]

Try .Net programming (C# or VB)

Very easy, it's why I have so much time browsing sherdog instead of programming

Yep. This. Also, most things are web based now so IIS would be good to learn along with some JavaScript.

 

[The Catch-Wrestler]

yeah, I hear nonstop .NET and stuff like that. How useful would Assembly be? Would it be helpful to have on my resume?

So I need to move into .net and possibly assembly.

Any ideas about the job approach? Do I have the right idea, find a cool company and apply for junior programmer? Show them some demonstrable ability and I should be ok?

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Damn @Bezos I thought you were serious reading the first few words of your post. I was already thinking 'awesome, I could be working for a Mayberry poster lol' that would be awesome,

 

[SSgt Dickweed]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_language

Do you happen to know if Crypto-mining computers are all about using this?

 

[marioh]

design ransomware, profit?

 

[SSgt Dickweed]

Bump-

I know how to program, but getting into Machine Learning/Analytics and teaching myself Python.

This is the first time I've ever encountered Recursive Functions. WTF is this shit?

How does a function call itself? It's hard to wrap my head around this shit.

 

[plataoplombo]

Try Java. There's all kinds of jobs out there that are looking for people. Also, it seems that with most of these programming jobs you can work from home. If you're lucky enough you could have a couple work from home jobs and make bank.

 

[GSP_37]

Go find some temp agency and ask them to place you somewhere that needs your skills.

 

[Roxxo]

Bump-

I know how to program, but getting into Machine Learning/Analytics and teaching myself Python.

This is the first time I've ever encountered Recursive Functions. WTF is this shit?

How does a function call itself? It's hard to wrap my head around this shit.

I love me some recursive functions. Bust out a recursive solution to something and people think you're a fucking wizard.

Something that helped me get a better grasp on recursion was learning a functional programming language. Elixir, for example, doesn't have any looping constructs, so no for loops, no while loops, etc. You have to use recursive functions to accomplish the same things.

 

[bubbleboyjones]

I was very proficient with all the languages, and the professor lined up a job with the state for me and I worked there for about 6 months. It was so incredibly boring and lame (this is before videos could be watched easily online), but the money was outrageous (for my age). But I was into bodybuilding, powerlifting and preferred selling memberships at the gym. I figured I'd have all the time in the world to work something boring, so I should just do what I enjoy at that age. In other words, I'm a complete moron who can't prioritize properly regarding long-term monetary decision-making. But I'm older, I realize I'm an idiot, and this is apparently, a valuable skill I actually possess (programming)

You're leaving some important things out. What exactly were you doing at your last tech job? And how long ago was this? 4 years ago? 8 years ago?

 

[The Catch-Wrestler]

You're leaving some important things out. What exactly were you doing at your last tech job? And how long ago was this? 4 years ago? 8 years ago?

Last job where I actually wrote code was when I was 18, so about 13 years ago. It was working for the state of FL DOT working on their interactive GIS, which is now pretty awesome. Back then it was in the stone-age, comparatively. It was tedious and boring, as you can imagine, but if I would have just stuck with it I'd be pretty damn well-off.

The good news is I did find an opportunity and have a new job doing something similar, and it pays much better. So things are going well, fortunately.