Find solution
How did you get a job as a professional programmer?

In 10 years, how difficult will it be to get a job as a programmer?

  • I am 14, and a computer programmer. I am skilled in HTML and CSS, with rudimentary knowledge with Javascript. I am currently learning PHP and MySQL. If I keep this up until I am through college, how hard will it be to get a job in our economy and how should I go about getting a job programming?

  • Answer:

    You seem to be conditioned (by the media most likely) that the important factor in a programmer getting a job is: "The Economy".  Some kind of spooky abstract thing that determines how hard you will have to work to get a job. This is a defeatist idea that the state run medias have been brainwashing into people from the beginning.  They try to nudge it into your head without you thinking too much about it.  And what a debilitating mind-virus idea it is.  That your employ-ability is not controlled by you, but instead by some mysterious force external to you.  How easily you get a job in programming is directly proportional to how good you are relative to the other programmers.  If you can program really well, you won't ever look for a job.  The recruiters and job offers will be presenting themselves to you.  You will be turning them all down to do what you think is right.  And you'll be earning somewhere between 1 and 5 million dollars over the next 50 years.  If you are a so-so programmer, you will have to work really hard to get a job, but but still not as hard had you majored in something silly like art history, basket weaving, psychology, or contemplative dance. If you don't have a mind for programming and you are poor at it.  There are still jobs for you, because I would say a good 25% of all jobs hiring for programmers have managers and interview systems that couldn't differentiate between a chef and a programmer even if their lives depended on it. There will still be jobs for you even if you can't program.  You'll probably work yourself into some other niche technical job.  Being able to write HTML and CSS makes you a programmer as much painting a wall makes you a skyscraper architect.  Go to a good college for computer science.  And go to a coding camp like these: https://www.ktbyte.com/camps    http://computercamps.com/     http://www.idtech.com/ These camps are going to set you back a few hundred or a few thousand dollars but are well worth it.  Selling your parents on this is important.  They are going to cram years of programming experience into you in a matter of months.  Better yet, this happens when your brain is a sponge.  Each $1000 dollars you spend here and now while you are 14 years old will produce perhaps $100k in the next 20 years when you are 24 and 34 years old.  Totally not kidding. As machines and software grow up around us and immerse us like fish in water.  The man who can program is king.  The world needs more programmers, there are not enough programmers. Programming goes with every subject.  Well except maybe prostitution.  Don't worry about getting the job, worry about getting credentials and things that prove you are better than the others at programming.  Only get into programming if you like it.  It isn't easy, and demands all of your dedication.

Eric Leschinski at Quora Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

I would say if you keep up with the learning with that early a start you would be highly employable. The key is to learn the fundamentals of programming and be willing to adapt to learn other languages as you need to. HTML, CSS, MySQL an PHP is a fantastic place to start. If you really want to give yourself a leg up though be sure to round out your study with solid communication skills, written and verbal. Far too many coders are lacking in that regard and, in my experience, employers would much rather hire someone with a little less knowledge around coding and a little more ability to think on their feet and communicate effectively.

Alan Puccinelli

You have a good start. Don't limit yourself to what you have listed. In order to compete you need to distinguish yourself from others like you - ie, you need skills that are difficult to acquire without formal training. In summary, if it's easy to learn you'll be competing with others also looking for easy money. With higher degree and more complex skill - solving business problems, innovating etc - you will compete with a smaller group of people. Not to mention you will feel more proud of yourself for having accomplished something substantial. Keep your determination and take on the challenges.

Anurag Kashyap

It's always great to start that early, but let me make sure to draw your attention on some essentials: I see that you are interested in web development, HTML and CSS aren't programming languages and of course won't be enough, so make sure that you do master a real programming language in web development field, such as PHP, javascript, asp and so on. Also, you should be able to code in at least one scripting language, this is so important for CGI and server side scripting, and sometimes you might need an API for linking your web applications to other kind of programs. You can choose Python, Ruby, Perl, etc... If you wanted to be a programmer, that's a different thing, there is a very well-said quote : "Being able to code, doesn't make you a programmer", a programmer is someone who knows about computer science, and computer engineering, which is knowing about compilers, linkers, loaders, memory management, OS internals and such inner sciences of computer. All of that means that you might be interested to learn a strong desktop language, like C, C++, Pascal, etc, reading about computer architecture, Operating System internals and such... Finally, about the job, since you are interested in web development, you might be able to catch some jobs on free lancing web sites before finishing your college, that might give you some good base experience for a full-time web development job. Learn hard, and good luck.

Abdullah Mohamed

"I am 14 and a computer programmer", that right there guarantees you a great future ahead. By the time you graduate, you will have numerous years of programming experience under your belt (assuming you passionately continue to pursue programming). Although, you need to keep certain things in mind: Set your priorities right. Getting a Job shouldn't be your primary goal, enjoying coding and challenging yourself should be. Don't be obsessed with languages. They are just a tool. Doesn't matter if your asking question on Quora through Chrome, Safari or Firefox, sure, your experience will vary though all 3 can help you accomplish your task. Similarly, programming languages are just a tool. Be sure to know about pros and cons of each and keep a preference though never restrict yourself to one. Get thorough with basics of programming and then you can fiddle with any language you want. Love what you do. Write tons of code. Think about ways you can make your life easier by writing apps. Develop critical thinking. As long as you are doing these 3 things right, you don't have to worry about getting a job, irrespective of how the economy is doing. With how things are going, programmers will always be in demand, although the numbers may vary but being in the top 25% will guarantee you a place, come what may!! Thanks for A2A. Cheers on my 100th Answer :)

Priyanshu Jha

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.