Re: Success of VB

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I got over the "self taught" hump by two things.

A few classes at some MS certified place. Week long, ~$2500.
Yeah, $2500 out of pocket sucked, but it helped.

And I took 3 grad level classes (1 per semester). It was easy, because I
live 8 miles from NCSU (with a good CSC grad program).

I took 3 classes I ~thought I was good in.

Database Fundamentals
OO
Security

I did ok with a 3.6 GPA in those.

They kicked my ***. I thought I would breeze thru at least the db class.
I put the work in, it was a part time job.

But it got me over the hump.

The reason I stopped at 3, is because NCSU would let you take up to 3
classes without having to actually apply and get into the grad program.
If I did apply and get in, they would count towards the degree.

Anyway, just throwing some ideas out there.

http://courses.ncsu.edu/csc.html
Go Pack!

http://courses.ncsu.edu/csc540/

It also got me out of the "microsoft only" nutshell.




"Robin Tucker" <rtgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:f1snl7$m87$1$8300dec7@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Terry/Others,


The main reason CS professionals don't usually employ people without a
formal CS education is because they have no way of gauging your basic
knowledge (beyond a one hour interview and a few technical questions).
With
a CS degree you are basically demonstrating an understanding of the basic
form and it is then easier for the potential employer to see that you have
the foundations of knowledge neccessary to progress and learn further.

There are many people who think they are skilled coders, who wouldn't know
how to construct some fairly basic data structures (in whatever language),
such as a Binary Tree or Linked List. Although these things are less
important today, having basic knowledge about how things work is
fundamental
to producing good software and more particuarly to the process of
innovation
and making the right choices with the algorithms and structures your work
promotes. Unless you can demonstrate these things with a previous
substantial piece of work, it is only left for the employer to take your
word for it. I don't know many employers who can justify to their bosses
taking a punt on a new team member without formal qualifications or
demonstrable knowledge and ability. In any case, after your initial
employment, your formal education becomes less important than where you
have
worked before and what you were doing there.

In short, if you want to work in CS and can't get a break, go get yourself
some formal CS qualifications. The process is the same in most other
industries, CS is no different.


Robin





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