Getting into the Programming Field

[pghsteelers]

I wanted to see if any programmers might be able to lend some advice when it comes to trying to enter the programming field.

I am currently do network administration and hardware support and have been put into a role of programming automative software installs. They have turned out to be far more indepth than what people might think of with software automation.

I learned VBS to have a more robust options than with batch files and have had to write some extensive algorithms and other software manipulations in order to achieve the neccessary goal. In doing so I have found a new fondness for programming and have taken it to the next level with learning C++ which I plan to follow with C++.NET and C#. I am not just learning these languages but am in the enviroment to implement them as the language I write my programs in.

My question is, is there any tips one might give for acquiring work in the programming field once I feel I have had a good amount of work and time under my belt with these and any other languages I might learn in the mean time. I can answer ahead and say that I don't know what type of programming I would like to do. So I know this is somewhat of a vague question but any tid-bits of help in helping to get into the field of programming that all you programmers have found to help you or "would have helped you had you known" that you can pass on would be greatly appreciative.

Thanks in advance

 

[pghsteelers]

No bites?

 

[cpjust]

I'm still waiting for a good development position to open up... I'm in QA, but I write automation programs whenever I can since it's more interesting then click & type testing. So I guess I don't have much advice about landing a programming job.
I know getting a BS or MS degree helps, as well as knowing someone that can help get your foot in the door.
I just don't see a lot of Junior development positions when I look on the job sites (at least not for C++).