Looking to change careers to software development... Need advice!

[misteroblivion]

Hi everyone, I'm here for some advice, hoping to be pointed in the right direction. I'm looking to change careers to software development, probably specializing in mobile app development. I've done research online about where to start, but frankly, I don't trust any of the sources I've found not to be bought and paid for by various online schools more interested in taking my money than providing me a quality education.

So I just have a few questions:

-What level of education is generally required for a starting position in this field?

-What are hiring managers looking for in potential employees?

-What are some reputable online schools that you have personal experience with?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[ultimatebob]

I'd recommend taking a free Coursera course on mobile app development first and see if you really like programming. Personally, I hate it, but it's a quick way to try without spending a bunch of money.

 

[clamum]

I recommend you get a bachelor's in Computer Science, or at least an Associate's (with some experience somewhere to make up for the two years). Note you don't NEED to go to school to do development, I just think it's a better route to go since it's much easier to learn in school than on your own.

As far as online schools, can't help ya there.

 

[purbeast0]

before you pick what area of development you want to work in, you need to have some basic fundamentals. so i wouldn't worry about just doing "mobile development" initially. once you know "how" to develop, you will be able to do it on any platform.

that said, since mobile development is object oriented, i'd recommend just learning java. Android is natively written in Java too, so you will have that. iOS is either objective-c or swift. while i only have experience in objective-c, the syntax is very funky. but in the end it's all just OOP. i believe with Swift you also don't have to worry about memory management, but I could be wrong. in java you don't really have to worry about it either. if you do get into iOS programming, learn Swift though, don't bother with Objective-C.

i also agree that a bachelors would be the minimal needed, in computer science. you COULD do it on your own, but i know i couldn't have learned without going to school. quite a few job listings will say they require bachelors degree, or 2 extra years of experience or something like that in place of the degree. but there are also many that aren't like that.

good luck though! it's a challenge that's for sure. i nearly dropped out of college after my freshman year after having a 2.0 my first year and failing my 2nd CS course ever. super glad i stuck with it now though, because i truly love development and even do it on the side because i enjoy it (and can make some extra cash). and i'm making a nice salary too.

 

[NuclearNed]

We still hire a few people with bachelors, but generally they get their foot in our door by doing an internship while they are still in school. A couple of our newer hires have their masters.

 

[misteroblivion]

Thanks a lot everyone, this has been really helpful so far. Considering enrolling in a Coursera program to sort of get my feet wet.

Anyone else have any pointers?

 

[Net]

Thanks a lot everyone, this has been really helpful so far. Considering enrolling in a Coursera program to sort of get my feet wet.

Anyone else have any pointers?

iOS development has a steep learning curve even for existing programmers. Don't get discouraged if it get's difficult. If you feel like you aren't interested because its feels too difficult, try another language before you give up (if you reach this point). Easier languages are Python or Java.

The bare minimum is a programming language and a knowledge of algorithms and data structures. Learning algorithms and data structures would be easier at a school where there are good teachers. Then buddy up with someone. Put the main emphasis on understanding rather then grades.

 

[midwestfisherman]

Advice - DON'T!

 

[clamum]

Thanks a lot everyone, this has been really helpful so far. Considering enrolling in a Coursera program to sort of get my feet wet.

Anyone else have any pointers?

Just be prepared to learn a lot. While I think just about anyone can write code (I don't think it's really that hard, for the most part and in general), I've seen the best programmers are kind of "geeks" and like to figure things out. Maybe as kids they liked taking things apart and putting them back together, or doing puzzles, or like strategy games. Like I said, it ain't a requirement, but to me those are the best kinds of developers.

Just keep your head up and stick with it (look what purbeast said), and if you have some free time try and brush up on some development skills that you aren't getting in college. If you do that, you'll be fine. The job market is quite good, especially for those who know their shit.

 

[purbeast0]

The job market is quite good, especially for those who know their shit.

this cannot be stressed enough.

while there are tons of developers out there, finding the good ones is like finding a damn needle in a haystack. there are so many "dime a dozen" ones out there but they simply aren't good at what they do.

i've been interviewing a bit for positions out west and just searching what is out there (san diego specific) and it's amazing how out of touch some places are with the market. i'm at the point now when i talk to companies the first thing i bring up is what their salary range is because it's just not worth wasting time to find out they won't come close to what you want.

i've had some companies who are offering like $50k less than what i currently make for a senior role, and i tell them i won't even entertain it and end up telling them what i make. they are then always like 'you are very well paid' and i then just tell them 'thats because i'm very good at what i do'. the companies that aren't willing to pay for talent are the ones that end up not doing as well because they just get the dime a dozen talent at those rates.

 

[misteroblivion]

Thanks for your input, guys! Just enrolled in a Coursera class on Java and I'm looking forward to getting started!

 

[Rage187]

if you have The Iron Yard around you, go there and you leave with a good job.

 

[Markbnj]

Advice - DON'T!

Listen to this guy. Software development sucks. I mean, sure, I work at home and make a nice six-figure income, get to more or less set my own hours, and work on mentally challenging problems. But other than that it sucks big time!

 

[misteroblivion]

Listen to this guy. Software development sucks. I mean, sure, I work at home and make a nice six-figure income, get to more or less set my own hours, and work on mentally challenging problems. But other than that it sucks big time!

Haha, what a nightmare! Thanks for the warning!

 

[misteroblivion]

if you have The Iron Yard around you, go there and you leave with a good job.

I don't, but I looked it up and it sounds amazing. Anyone know of any institutions with similar programs?

 

[LevelSea]

You need to buy a bunch of books that you'll never read (SICP, K&R, Dragon, CLRS, etc) to put on your bookshelf.

 

[Homerboy]

Don't

 

[ultimatebob]

You need to buy a bunch of books that you'll never read (SICP, K&R, Dragon, CLRS, etc) to put on your bookshelf.

Yeah, he needs a few "Animal Books" from O'Reilly to put on his bookshelf. He won't actually READ them, mind you, but it gives you geek cred in your cubicle farm. Google has made them pretty useless at this point.