Qualification Question!

[ADoozer]

I am a trained maintenance engineer (by apprenticeship till redundancy) working as a design and test engineer, however i would like to venture into a Programming career!

I have been programming for about 7 years now, and i am comfortable with HTML,Perl,Java,C,C++,Visual C++ and especially Visual Basic, i am also capable of building interface devices and have a good background in hardware!

Now the downside is i have no formal qualifications regarding programming (which is the core requisite when applying for a programming job)

can anyone give me some tips on what i would need to do to gain an accepted qualification (preferably without another 4 years at university (im currently studying Mechatronic engineering @ mmu)). or what i would need in my CV to get me into the interview room!

i am based in England, but intend on moving to australia in the next 3 years!

ANY input appreciated!! If somethings hard to do, its not worth doing - Homer Simpson

 

[CajunCenturion]

Perhaps you could add a minor in Computer Science, or related MIS arena, into your curriculum.

Another option would be to gain experience. Try to land some short-term programming contract jobs so that you can add these jobs to the CV, and at the same time, gain experience, and professional references. Good Luck
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As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[ADoozer]

i was considering one of these

>short-term programming contract jobs

but i was reading (in this forum i think) the other day that these were not practical and rarely paid off.

but since im willing to try anything (within reason) do you know of any reputable places to find these type of contracts?!? or a place where i can get more information! If somethings hard to do, its not worth doing - Homer Simpson

 

[ADoozer]

forgot to mention...

i have written software for the company i work for, but being the nature of the job i had to sign a confidentiality contract so im pretty sure (for legal reasons) i cant use these in my resume!! If somethings hard to do, its not worth doing - Homer Simpson

 

[CajunCenturion]

As I remember, what didn't pay off and was not practical were short term programming jobs obtained thru web-based auctions and from the small web job boards.

Get contract jobs thru University contacts, or from other local companies - work with your clients on a fact-to-face basis.

You can indicate in your resume the nature of the programs that you have written in broad strokes. You cannot divulge any trade secrets, and by all means, do not publish any code, but for example you can say:
"Wrote a network-based application to do real-time inventory tracking with Point-of-Sale terminals" or describe the overall application without violating any confidentiality agreements. Good Luck
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As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[palbano]

>> i had to sign a confidentiality contract

On your resume you just specify the tools and technologies you worked with and the role you played, i.e:

designed and developed Win32 multi-threaded desktop application using Microsoft Visual C++ with MFC, ATL and XML.

When i screen and interview candidates i look at issues like that. Then in the interview i only need to ask technical questions to determine the candidates actual level of knowledge of a specific subject. For that i don't need to know any secrets about the last project they worked on.

Also you could state that you are under a NDA in your resume.

-pete

 

[dilettante]

Paid experience means a lot.

Doesn't really matter what you've done on your own, sad to say. In most cases self-education doesn't even count for much. The best way I've found to use self-ed is to save money and time by using it to qualify for more advanced formal training (skipping the intro class in a series). Don't get in over your head though.

I agree with CajunCenturion that a non-disclosure shouldn't prevent you from citing work you've done as long as you can be circumspect about it.

Even a list of classes from a "skills mill" can be useful on a resume. Those places that offer 3 to 10 day short courses in Project Management or VBScript or preferably something supplementing your real skills like "Oracle Development in C++" or something. Use those continuing education classes to supplement any existing education credentials. Just be sure to list them as such rather than trying to palm them off as formal education.

 

[ADoozer]

thnks all for the input.

ive decided to head up to the local college on monday and see what night courses they have to offer! If somethings hard to do, its not worth doing - Homer Simpson

 

[KornGeek]

Having any degree in any subject will help. Many employers look for the degree to simply show that you can set a goal and achieve it. It also shows that you've mastered some basic skills such as note-taking, basic oranizational skills, etc. that are used to earn your degree. The degree combined with some skills and a bit of experience should help you get your foot in the door.

I once landed myself a job with minimal experience, no degree, and no knowledge of the subject matter I would be working with. I showed them the number of languages I've learned, and some of the technologies I'd used. Instead of pitching "I know these things.", I pitched myself as "I've learned these things and I can learn whatever you need me to do as well." It was actually one of the easiest interviews I've had.

 

[ADoozer]

kornGeek: unfortunately i havent finished my degree yet and my apprenticeship acounts for s#@t (ps the last 2 albums suck!!)

to all: ok i checked with the local college... they offer nothing (other than CLAIT and other basic stuff)
Anyone (in the UK) know of an accepted programming course that may help me!!

PLEASE!!!

any help appreciated!!

If somethings hard to do, its not worth doing - Homer Simpson