Hello,
I have an undergraduate degree unrelated to IT and 21 years of professional experience – most involves training adults how to use software used by engineers (CAD). I am in the process of learning Java using books & creating dozens of “self-inspired” programs.
I really enjoy learning about Java, Python, et cetera – it’s difficult for me to stop writing more programs! My goal is to become a programmer, work for a few years, then I’d like to go back to teach this sort of thing or else provide consulting services.
So, I enrolled in an online program to obtain an MSCIT degree specializing in Software Engineering. I quit after realizing this was probably not the best way to obtain my goal. After all, how valid would a Masters degree be if I had zero professional experience as a programmer? Plus, the degree was going to cost at least $22K and at least two years of my life.
So, at this point, I’m open to suggestions. I think I should take the Sun Certification classes. For less than $1500 I could become a Sun Certified Java Programmer. It’s really not so much about how much the education will cost, but rather, how fast I can get my foot in the door as a programmer. I am 48 years old, so, I’m also a little anxious to begin my new – and probably final – career as soon as possible.
With Sun Certified Java Programmer status and a few examples of code under my belt, could I expect to get hired as a programmer or is a four year degree much more important? I can obtain certification from Sun in less than a year, and in the next year I could create some professional examples of code. It seems that with both of these (Sun certification & professional examples) I could obtain a decent, entry level job.
I currently teach high school students which provides adequate time to pursue educational opportunities in the evening. Would anyone like to comment about what’s the best direction I should take in order to obtain my goals?
Thank you,
Tuples
🙂
