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Is computer engineer is a good job?

How do you get a job as a software engineer in the bay area, California if you taught yourself computer science and live in another state?

  • So a little background: I studied Electrical engineering for 2.5 years, had a change of heart switched to Architecture and graduated with a B.S. in Architecture in 2010. I decided shortly after graduating that I want to study Engineering instead of continuing with a career in Architecture. I didn't have money to go back to school so since then I have been focused on studying myself using Coursera, iTunes U, reading books, writing programs, building hardware projects, taking few classes at nearby community college. I love working with technology and am not learning it to just get a job, I am curious and want to understand how everything works, and also want to create awesome products. I don't have any experience working as a programmer for a company, neither do I have a degree in computer science, I am mostly self taught. I do have examples of programs I have written, hardware projects I have made using Arduino, raspberry pi, and other content I have created and designed. Nothing mind-blowing though, just solid projects to learn from. I would love a chance to work with an engineering team to design and build a product. There are some opportunities nearby but there are so many more I like in California.  I live in Michigan, and if I apply to companies near the bay area in California, what are the chances they will hire me from Michigan? I sometimes feel that companies are more willing to hire a fresh graduated in Computer Science from a top University. I feel like since I live far away, companies would not want to pay for my flight for an interview, and don't want to take the chance. Any advice? Thanks so very much!

  • Answer:

    Build something. One of the best things about coding is that if you are good, pedigree doesn't matter. Some of the best people I know only have high school degrees. I would say that the bar at most tech companies is not that you have a degree in CS from Stanford, but that you have built something that shows you either know what your are doing or have the potential to. Find an open source project you find interesting and contribute. Build some little thing that makes your life a little bit easier. Your GitHub is your resume.

Andrew Lockhart at Quora Visit the source

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First off: I agree with Andrew Lockhart, go build something. But that only tells you half the story. The other half is that you'll want to send your resume to companies and make it clear in the cover letter that you're willing to relocate. If possible, find managers/founders there on LinkedIn and start by sending email. Some companies won't be interested. Some will. Talk to a few and one of the interested ones will fly you out. If possible, talk to several at once -- line up a week of interviews at the same time, for instance. That way if you're good you'll get multiple offers, which makes it *much* more likely that companies will hire you and pay you well. Ask about relocation packages. But the companies most likely to hire you (small startups) are also the most likely to have no relocation program. So you may need to eat that cost. Also, research cost of living in the SF Bay. What looks like an *amazing* job offer in Michigan may be too little to live on in SF.

Noah Gibbs

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