Where can I get started as a software developer without a College degree?
The reason is that government subisidization of certifying institutions dilutes the value and credibility of certifications. Employers knows that few people that come out of high school can do much more than tie their shoe laces. You can do almost anything with the knowledge content of high school curriculum. It just doesn’t count for anything in the market to have a diploma because every cretin will be given a diploma.
True, true,true. I’m wrapping up highschool and it’s absolutley shameful, TO ALL PARENTS PUBLIC SCHOOL WILL RUIN YOUR CHILD’S INTEREST IN LEARNING FOR THE REST OF HIS/HER LIFE. In public school you barley get educated (In 10 weeks I could teach you all we’ve done in english class the last 4 years), it WILL lower your child’s self esteem, and it WILL kill your kids curiosity forever and make him a useful sheep. For studying economics and history, for having an educational hobby outside of school, I’m considered wierd and nerdy by people with better grades then me! This is totally an enlightening system fit to educate your sons and daughters. Grades don’t equal intelligence PERIOD. Grades equal how well you can spit stuff back.
There are quite a few ways to break into the industry. One way would be to start, contribute to, or otherwise assist open source projects. Write working code that people can use. For example, write mod tools for video games. Solve a problem that people need solved.
Sorry, but that doesn’t answer the question. How would I get hired by just doing that? Where would I get the knowledge to learn to write mod tools? Business’ look for people with Degrees in Software Deisgn and Engineering, at least a BA.
I don’t have a degree. I was a theatre major in college and dropped out. I’m now the Senior Global Unix Server Engineer for the research and development business unit of the world’s largest company. I find that the degree requirements often posted in job descriptions are there for show. Once you have a few years experience and a few references, employers will start talking to you.*
- EDIT: Talking to you for jobs beyond entry-level positions, that is.
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4 year engineering degree from a prestigious school: price of a library card.
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Initiation into the masonic university system and attaining your first degree: priceless.
I forgot most of what I learned in Programming in High School. What are good books to start with/pick up for Programming/Software Design or Networking?
What do you mean by #2?
Check out your local bookstore, or look at the syllabuses of top university and get the books they require their students to use for the class.
There are plenty of good books, depending on what programming languages you want to go with. Which one to choose to learn with is a controversial topic in some circles. I started with C++, and I used Accelerated C++: Practical Programming by Example in my learning experience.
It’s not the market, but the laws and corporate policies. You have to play politics if you don’t have a degree. Just keep your means and ends in order and it is less of a problem to advance.
You can learn this with an internet connection, a job at mcdonalds ,and access to a book store for less than you would pay a school. You can circumvent the application process by completing or adding to an ongoing project within a corporation that needs your specialized skills. The bonus is instead of accruing interest on debt, you can actually build a savings and be in the black when you land your first good job.
The knowledge you seek is on the internet for a better price in both time and money.
I gathered as much from your previous posts. I apologize if I was incorrect in my assessment.
I have a friend interested in Graphic Design, where should he start?
I would like to become a Physicist or a Doctor, but the statist liscensing laws make it nearly impossible without Schooling.
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Google Search
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Make an investment in either Adobe or Corel software
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Watch free tutorials and read online. Buy some books at bookstore or check them otu of the library.
I taught myself C++ in 4-5 months while living in a very small rural town in a third world country. In 5 months I was able to learn how to use Ogre and using my own Winsock wrapper class I was able to create a multi-player network based 3D PONG game. On top of that I created 10 other programs and apps, some of them were basic chat clients while I was learning the winsock class ect…
Microsoft interviewed me and when I told them I was self taught they proceeded to quiz the hell out of me. I passed the interview with flying colors apparently, in fact they kept calling me back to hire me after I turned down the job.
In contrast one of my best friends who graduated with a 4 year bachelors of science in software development could only create a shitty OpenGL application that changed random colors. That was at the time he graduated. Entirely useless.
If I can teach myself the entire language of C++ in 5 months with zero previous programming, education and experience. Doing so while living in one of the poorest nations in central america(I poo’d in a hole in the ground). Than you can learn just about anything on your own in the states.
Learn to google. 
Well, what do you guys think about Independent Study courses in College? Most of you think that College is pointless, but what if I took an Independent Study course at a College?
Kristof’
I don’t really agree with how the education system works anyway
It isn’t about who likes to learn, and educate themselves
9:15pmMichael
well, you’re probably not going to change the education system.
you have a few options.
9:15pmKristof’
its about who has the highest SAT scores, and is the most specially gifted kid
9:15pmMichael
you can bitch about it. (no one will care)
9:15pmKristof’
Who gets to impress his parents
Or, you can not be part of the system?
9:16pmMichael
you can try to change it by making noise (no one will listen)
9:16pmKristof’
Or
9:16pmMichael
you can try to change it by being one of the best educators in the world
9:16pmKristof’
You can use your intelligent to convince other people of why you are right
intelligence*
9:16pmMichael
(you will have some effect)
that only works if you’re incredibly qualified
otherwise you just have no credibility and people think you’re just another raving lunatic
9:17pmKristof’
You know, the only problem I have with convincing people
Is that some people are vehemently arrogant
9:17pmMichael
because you have zero credibility
9:17pmKristof’
I have a blog where I share my ideas
I debate with others online
I do research on my shit
]and I talk about it when I get the chance
9:17pmMichael
people generally don’t care unless you’re a professional though
9:17pmKristof’
Why wouldnt they?
9:18pmMichael
you can research things all you want, but if you don’t have the credentials then it doesn’t matter
because you’re a kid who looked something up on the internet
great. you have an opinion.
9:18pmKristof’
Being professional has nothing to do with it, honestly lots of people with Ph.D’s are not taht bright
9:18pmMichael
you make your opinion accessable to others.
it doesn’t matter how smart they are
9:18pmKristof’
Bush and Cheney had fucking Ph.D’s does that mean their opinions are relevant?
9:19pmMichael
in the things they have their PhD’s in, at least to some extent
9:19pmKristof’
Bush went to Yale for christ sake, and he didn’t say one thing that was correct
9:19pmMichael
you can’t get your PhD without doing a lot of work in the subject field
so yes, having your PhD makes your opinion more valid.
honestly
9:20pmKristof’
Why?
Because they are natural elites or something?
9:20pmMichael
for the reason i just described.
9:20pmKristof’
Well by you agreeing with that, is being an addition to the problem with society you stated earlier
9:20pmMichael
no, because they had to spend a lot of time and effort on the subject
9:21pmKristof’
So if you just go along with it because its the norm, no wonder things will never change
9:21pmMichael
they are judged by specific standards and crtteria to be experienced enough.
sure, things will change.
as people discover new things, change will happen
maybe not rapid and immediate change
but honestly. maybe get used to the fact that you can’t change the world just by yelling.
9:22pmKristof’
I like to research shit, because I actually think I am intelligent
my opinions are backed with research
I don’t care if its for my profession, or to change something
9:23pmMichael
i doubt your ability to discern proper research from poor research
for instance. statistical analysis is integral in proving correlations between variables.
if you don’t know HOW to perform statistical analysis you could be swallowing a bunch of bullshit
just because you do research online doesn’t mean you’re scientifically literate.
9:25pmKristof’
What make ssomething literate?
9:25pmMichael
and THAT’S the type of shit they teach you in school.
Additionally, does anyone know where one should look for books on Entreprenuership? I think I want to be an Entrepreneur. I am NOT going to Business School. Business School is a joke, and a waste money since most of the classes are common sense, most people just go for easy degrees. Sadly, Geithner is imposing new regulations requiring a degree from a Business school to start your own business.
Starting a good Business from scratch will be fucking impossible decades from now in the U.S if Government Intervention continues to grow, as well as regulations and further subsidizing of Student Loans. Man this sucks, I wish it didn’t come to this, before you know it the U.S Government may even put down tighter regulation on outsourcing making it harder for me to go to another country where there is a lot less regulation.
Not sure what to think of starting a Business, I’m an intellectual-poetic person, not logical and stiff. I don’t want to shape myself as some fat-cat-no-fun businessman.