2010-12-06, 12:17 AM
(Real) Name: PM'ing
Current Job/Profession: Unemployed after getting bachelor's degree in CS, seeking employment in programming
Email and/or Website: PM'ing
Education Level: Bachelor's degree in computer science
1. How did you get interested in computer programming?
My high school offered a 3-course (3-year) programming sequence. I tried out the first course as a freshman because it was computers and I liked computers and I found out I love programming.
2. How many years have you been computer programming? (Regardless of degree)
As I said before, I started as a freshman in high school (so like 10 years ago). My first program that was used by people other than me was 4 years ago.
3. What type of programmer are you, specifically? What do you specialize in?
I don't specialize in anything, I'm a generalist.
4. What skills are typically involved in your profession? What things do you have to know and learn?
You need to have the ability to figure out what problem you are trying to solve and what your program needs to be able to do (this is more difficult than you might think). You need to be able to design a set of classes and functions that will solve your problem, meet the requirements, and be flexible enough to be changed relatively easily to meet new requirements. You need to be able to actually write code and be able to learn to use code written by other people. You need to be able to test code that you've written, know how to design your programs so that they're not difficult to test, and know how to find and fix bugs that testing reveals. If you're looking to get a job, it is extremely helpful to know at least one web framework and at least one database system.
5. What level of math skills are needed in doing your profession?
Typically nothing more than basic algebra, and only occasionally, not often.
6. Do you use math on a regular basis? How about higher level math?
Again, basic algebra skills are useful both in programming and in general. I do not use any higher level math although I took math up to calculus III in college. However, some specific areas of programming like graphics do require higher level math like linear algebra.
7. Do you feel a college degree is necessary to be a computer programmer? How about when trying to find a job?
To be a computer programmer: No. In fact, being self-taught is not much different from a typical college computer science education. The programming skills used on a day-to-day basis are generally not taught in school. A computer science education will give you a deeper understanding of the computer and of some specific areas like compilers, databases, and networks, which can be helpful but isn't strictly necessary.
When trying to find a job: Yes. Most employers will not look at applicants without a degree.
8. If you are employed in this field, how much work do you have to do? Are the hours satisfactory?
I'm unemployed currently.
9. How much are you payed annually in this field?
I'm unemployed currently. Typical entry-level salaries are about $50,000-$70,000 per year.
10. Does your profession cause you any stress? How often do you encounter problems?
I'm unemployed currently. I do program on my own, but no deadlines = no stress.
Current Job/Profession: Unemployed after getting bachelor's degree in CS, seeking employment in programming
Email and/or Website: PM'ing
Education Level: Bachelor's degree in computer science
1. How did you get interested in computer programming?
My high school offered a 3-course (3-year) programming sequence. I tried out the first course as a freshman because it was computers and I liked computers and I found out I love programming.
2. How many years have you been computer programming? (Regardless of degree)
As I said before, I started as a freshman in high school (so like 10 years ago). My first program that was used by people other than me was 4 years ago.
3. What type of programmer are you, specifically? What do you specialize in?
I don't specialize in anything, I'm a generalist.
4. What skills are typically involved in your profession? What things do you have to know and learn?
You need to have the ability to figure out what problem you are trying to solve and what your program needs to be able to do (this is more difficult than you might think). You need to be able to design a set of classes and functions that will solve your problem, meet the requirements, and be flexible enough to be changed relatively easily to meet new requirements. You need to be able to actually write code and be able to learn to use code written by other people. You need to be able to test code that you've written, know how to design your programs so that they're not difficult to test, and know how to find and fix bugs that testing reveals. If you're looking to get a job, it is extremely helpful to know at least one web framework and at least one database system.
5. What level of math skills are needed in doing your profession?
Typically nothing more than basic algebra, and only occasionally, not often.
6. Do you use math on a regular basis? How about higher level math?
Again, basic algebra skills are useful both in programming and in general. I do not use any higher level math although I took math up to calculus III in college. However, some specific areas of programming like graphics do require higher level math like linear algebra.
7. Do you feel a college degree is necessary to be a computer programmer? How about when trying to find a job?
To be a computer programmer: No. In fact, being self-taught is not much different from a typical college computer science education. The programming skills used on a day-to-day basis are generally not taught in school. A computer science education will give you a deeper understanding of the computer and of some specific areas like compilers, databases, and networks, which can be helpful but isn't strictly necessary.
When trying to find a job: Yes. Most employers will not look at applicants without a degree.
8. If you are employed in this field, how much work do you have to do? Are the hours satisfactory?
I'm unemployed currently.
9. How much are you payed annually in this field?
I'm unemployed currently. Typical entry-level salaries are about $50,000-$70,000 per year.
10. Does your profession cause you any stress? How often do you encounter problems?
I'm unemployed currently. I do program on my own, but no deadlines = no stress.