Programming

How To Begin Your Programming Career And Increase Your Income By 30%, 60% Or 100 %
HOW TO BEGIN YOUR PROGRAMMING CAREER AND INCREASE YOUR INCOME BY 30%, 60% OR 100%
By Kingsley Tagbo
2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com
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About the Author

Kingsley Tagbo is a contract computer programmer, a software consultant and a Computer Programming Career Coach.
Kingsleys career spans more than a decade of experience in various high demand Information Technology (IT) positions in Business Analysis, Database Development, Project Management, Software Consulting, Software Sales, Contract Programming, Web Development and IT Management.
You can reach Kingsley by email at kingsleytagbo@it-career-coach.com .
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Introduction
Planning for a high paying job in a high demand career is not easy. The "Street Smart Guide To High Paying Computer Programming Careers" e-Book addresses this difficulty by providing career coaching and guidance on how to get into the fastest growing occupations, top paying careers, jobs in high demand and skills in high demand.
The e-Book is based on my decade of Information Technology (IT) experience in various high demand careers including Business Analysis, Database Development, Project Management, Software Consulting, Software Sales, Contract Programming, Web Development and IT Management. My goal is to help you take the quickest and most direct route to finding a top paying high demand job in the fast growing occupation of computer programming.
Kingsley Tagbo, IT Career Coach

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com Page 3 of 37
ABOUT THE AUTHOR.........................................................................................2 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................3 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BECOME A PROGRAMMER ..........................7
Job Security: ________________________________________________________________________ 7 High Pay: ___________________________________________________________________________ 7 Multiple Streams of Income: ___________________________________________________________ 7 Multiple Career Paths: ________________________________________________________________ 8 Job Satisfaction: _____________________________________________________________________ 8 Intellectual Satisfaction: _______________________________________________________________ 8 Low Entry Barrier to Programming Carriers:_____________________________________________ 9 Rapid Career Advancement: ___________________________________________________________ 9 Chance to Change the World: _________________________________________________________ 10
MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CAREERS AND COMPUTER PROGRAMMING JOBS ....................................12
Myth #1: Computer programming is for technology geeks. _________________________________ 12 Myth #2: You have to be good at math to be a programmer. ________________________________ 12 Myth #3: You have to study computer science in college to become a programmer. _____________ 12 Myth #4: The job market is saturated with too many programmers. _________________________ 13 Myth #5: Most of the computer programming jobs have been out-sourced. ____________________ 13 Myth #6: Computer programming takes years to learn. ____________________________________ 13 Myth #7: Computer programmers only work with computers, they dont get to work with people. 13
MAJOR OBSTACLES TO BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMMER .15

#1: The Classic Chicken-Or-Egg Lack of Experience problem_______________________________ 15 Weak Or Out Dated Technical Skills Will End Your Career ________________________________ 15 A Poorly Crafted Resume Will Close Doors ______________________________________________ 16
Poor Interviewing Skills Will Keep Job Offers Away ______________________________________ 17 You Have To Master The Art Of Studying At Home_______________________________________ 17 Do You Know How To Plan Your Career?_______________________________________________ 18 Failing To Identify What Employers Want_______________________________________________ 19
WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL HI-TECH CAREER? ...............20

1. 2. 3. E-Books _______________________________________________________________________ 21 Private Forums_________________________________________________________________ 22 Newsletter _____________________________________________________________________ 22
STARTING AN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CAREER WITHOUT REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE ......................................................................................23 GETTING PAST RESUME AND INTERVIEW HURDLES TO A HIGH PAYING JOB ....................................................................................................................23 BECOMING A SOFTWARE DEVELOPER WITHOUT A COLLEGE EDUCATION ......................................................................................................23 BECOMING A SOFTWARE CONSULTANT WITHOUT A COMPUTER SCIENCE DEGREE............................................................................................24 INTERVIEWING SECRETS THAT GET YOU HIRED ........................................25
Be confident.________________________________________________________________________ 25 Gain experience. ____________________________________________________________________ 26 Show proof. ________________________________________________________________________ 27 Dress tastefully. _____________________________________________________________________ 28 Know your job. _____________________________________________________________________ 29 Speak up. __________________________________________________________________________ 29 Listen hard. ________________________________________________________________________ 30 Be prepared.________________________________________________________________________ 31 Service always comes first. ____________________________________________________________ 32 Don't bad mouth your previous employer. _______________________________________________ 33
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Small talk first! _____________________________________________________________________ 33 Keep in touch with recruiters. _________________________________________________________ 34
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS...........................................................................35

From Novice To Professional __________________________________________________________ 35 How much will I earn as a programmer? .................................................................................. 35 How long will it take to learn computer programming? .......................................................... 35 Will I find a programming job in my city? ................................................................................ 35 Is programming difficult to learn? ............................................................................................. 35 Do I need a degree in computer science to become a programmer?........................................ 35 Does my previous working experience count?........................................................................... 36 Is it expensive to become a programmer?.................................................................................. 36 What is the lifestyle of programmers like? ................................................................................ 36
HOW TO START: ...............................................................................................37
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Reasons Why You Should Become a Programmer
Job Security:
Computer programmers are in high demand because there are more programming jobs than there are programmers. Computer programmers are needed in the military, hospitals, small businesses, fortune 1000 organizations.
High Pay:
Because the demand for computer programmers outstrips the supply, computer programmers tend to be highly paid. However, not all career paths in computer programming are in high demand. Computer programmers with skills in hot technologies are highly sought after and command high pay.
Multiple Streams of Income:

Computer programmers have a lot of financial flexibility. They can work as contract programmers, as independent software consultants or full time employees. This flexibility increases the number of options available for earning a good livelihood.
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Multiple Career Paths:

Computer programming professionals tend to have a number of career tracks open to them. This increases the chance for programmers to find careers and jobs closely aligned to their personality. For example, programmers can become project managers, website developers, database developers, business analysts, Information Technology managers, recruiters and Information Technology directors. Each of these careers suites one type of personality or individual better than the other.
Job Satisfaction:
Because programmers tend to have a lot of options in terms of which company they can work for, which career track to choose and how much they get paid, they tend to like their jobs and be passionate about their career. Because the work that programmers do can be traced to specific software, components or features, they also tend to take pride in their work and feel satisfied with their craft.
Intellectual Satisfaction:
Programmers have the ability to visualize their software applications, design it and create it. Programming is a career that keeps your mind alert and engaged in solving puzzles. So, programmers tend to use
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their mind, their initiative and their imagination to solve business problems. This intellectual stimulation creates a more interesting and inspiring career.
Low Entry Barrier to Programming Carriers:

Programming is peculiar in that it is one of those careers where you can earn $80,000 to $100,000 without a college degree or a degree in computer science. There are no professional exams that must be passed before one can become a programmer. In other words, there are no exams, certifications or licenses that one can obtain before working as a computer programmer. Because employers put emphasis more on ones skill, experience and on the job performance than paper qualifications, it is can be a great career for anyone who genuinely likes working with computers or anyone who likes the information technology industry.
Rapid Career Advancement:

Another peculiar thing about computer programming is that there is no limit to how fast you can move in your career. There are individuals that learn computer programming and earn from $70,000 to $100,000 in the first year. Unlike in many other professions, you are not really
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limited by your experience or your age, or your education or by some hidden laws that limit how much you get paid. If you are a hard working person your success in computer programming guaranteed!
Chance to Change the World:

Yes, computer programmers do change the world and I am not just referring to Oracles Billionaire CEO Larry Ellison and Microsofts Billionaire Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates. Bill Gates who is currently the richest main in the world and probably in history, has been a computer programmer his entire career. Computer programmers and Information Technology professionals change the world by designing or building the next-generation Internet tools, software and services. Computer programmers are in a special position to change the world because computer software is used in the production of countless products and services and because computer software affects every aspect of our existence on this planet. The nature of changing the world now, is as simple has having a computer, an internet connection and programming skills. With these tools you can create software or provide services that power our modern civilization as a computer programmer.
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Without computer programmers, the modern day civilization as we know it will cease to exist.
Having listed a few of the reasons why you should take up a career in computer programming, you will think that by now, everyone will be a computer programmer.
However, there would be more computer programmers today if not for some major misconceptions about computer programming:
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Myths and Misconceptions about Information Technology Careers and Computer Programming Jobs
Myth #1: Computer programming is for technology geeks.
The reality is that the Project Manager, Business Analyst, Tester, Manager, Sales Executive, Recruiter, Technical Writer, Web Developer, Web Designer and other roles in the programming industry require different personality types and there is no one personality that fits all the roles or jobs.
Myth #2: You have to be good at math to be a programmer.

The reality is that the majority of computer jobs do not require a math background. They require logical, problem solving skills which can be learned on the job.
Myth #3: You have to study computer science in college to become a programmer.
The reality is that professionals with backgrounds in English, Arts, Music, Sales, Engineering, Mathematics, Psychology, Retailing, etc. are employed as computer programmers and there is no one formal degree required for employment in computer programming.
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Myth #4: The job market is saturated with too many programmers.
The reality is that if you have marketable computer programming skills with real world experience, recruiters will be calling you with job interviews and job offers.
Myth #5: Most of the computer programming jobs have been out-sourced. The reality is that there is such a high demand
for computer programmers in the USA, that programming jobs go unfilled every day.
Myth #6: Computer programming takes years to learn.

The reality is that it only takes years for those who are not following a well thought out plan based on real world experience. If you get a copy of the "The Street Smart Guide To A High Paying Computer Programming Career", you will learn how to become a professional computer programmer in a short time.
Myth #7: Computer programmers only work with computers, they dont get to work with people.
The reality is that programmers need good people skills because they have to interact with both the users of their software and their team
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members. The truth is that people skills are highly valued in computer programmers.
Are any of these myths holding you back? These myths are not true.
However there are some major obstacles to becoming a professional computer programmer that can derail your career and I will discuss these on the next page.
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Major Obstacles To Becoming A Professional Programmer
#1: The Classic Chicken-Or-Egg Lack of Experience problem

It is not enough to have strong technical skills or computer certifications you must have recent industry experience in hot indemand technologies. To gain this type of work experience, you need to have an employer who allows you to the privilege of learning a new skill on the job. However, most employers and clients will only hire you if you already have strong industry experience. This leads to the classic "chicken-or-egg" problem where you cannot get a job because you do not have relevant experience and you cannot get the required experience because no one will offer you the job.
Weak Or Out Dated Technical Skills Will End Your Career

If you are a software developer with skills in older versions of a technology you will find it difficult to get hired for well paying positions. This is because recruiters and employers are looking for skills in hot new technologies. For example if you are a Visual Basic 6.0 developer you will find it hard to get a top paying programming job
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because employers and recruiters want Visual Basic .NET or C#.NET skills and not Visual Basic 6.0 skills.
A Poorly Crafted Resume Will Close Doors

The internet makes it easy for you to search for jobs posted on public sites like Dice.com or Monster.com. However, any one with a computer and an internet connection may see the same job and compete with you. The result is that employers and recruiters can be flooded by 500 resumes for one job posting. The challenge facing you is to put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager and design a winning resume and cover letter.
To make your resume stand out, you have to learn how to apply for specific job postings, make your resume searchable with the right buzzwords and present the recent jobs and technologies you have worked on. Your resume will become outdated if you do not take the time to update it with recent relevant experience or if you do not update it on an on-going basis.
Note: Simply listing the jobs you worked on will not get you serious attention because there is an art to writing a winning resume.
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Poor Interviewing Skills Will Keep Job Offers Away

Your technical interview is your last chance to make a favorable impression on a hiring manager. Interviews are the gatekeepers to well paying jobs.
If you are not comfortable with the interviewing process, lack the confidence to present your skills or are in-adequately prepared you will limit your chances of getting a job offer.
Poor interviewing skills may arise out of poor technical preparation, low self esteem and confidence, weak presentation skills, inadequate background research or poor interviewing habits.
If learn how to excel at technical interviews, you will be rewarded with good job offers and if you are not, you will hardly make it in the industry.
You Have To Master The Art Of Studying At Home

There is a constant stream of information that needs to be mastered quickly for you to succeed in your career. This constant stream of new information is driven by the fast pace of modern business, the Internet and innovations in Information Technology.
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The internet and new innovations in Information Technology increase the quantity and quality of information available to organizations. Businesses are getting leaner, more efficient and more competitive. Employers are less tolerant of mistakes and in-efficiencies on the part of their employees. Employees are expected to have more skills, be more educated, responsive and intelligent and flexible in taking care of their employers business interests. The NEW paradigm for employees is rapid self-learning on the job.
Keeping up with the amount of books, papers and articles relating to new computing technology can be challenging.
If you do not have a strategy for mastering new technologies and new work related information quickly, your career will suffer period.
Do You Know How To Plan Your Career?

The challenge with the careers of today is that they require more marketing and management skills. It used to be the norm to work for one company for life. In this state of bliss, your career would be carefully planned and managed by your manager. This is no longer the case. Today, you are expected to look out for yourself. It is now the
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norm to transition to more lucrative opportunities within your organization, industry, country or across the globe every few years. If you fail to manage your career pro-actively, you may find yourself the victim of the next downsizing trend without any future career prospects. Now the challenge is upon you to set your career goals and define measurable objectives and actionable plans for achieving career success as you define it. If you fail to plan your career, you are planning to fail in your career.
Failing To Identify What Employers Want

Gone are the days when you could take a staid career and wait in-turn for your chance for a promotion. How much you are compensated is determined more by your soft skills like your attitude, performance, responsibility, initiative, leadership, communication skills and marketing strategies than the raw number of years listed in the experience section of your resume.
If you dont really understand what the market is looking for, you may find yourself without a job. If you are able to decipher what employer or client wants, you will be offered the top paying opportunities. It is a winner takes all game!
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What Are The Steps To A Successful Hi-Tech Career?

If you have a computer, an internet connection and are teachable, I will help you build a rewarding hi-tech career.
My Information Technology Career Coaching will help you:
Discover which hi-tech career best suits your goals, lifestyle, passion, strengths and interests
Decide which programming language best matches your hitech career
Study a programming language from the comfort of your home and in your spare time without thousands of dollars or wasting years
Learn the secrets of creating an in-demand computer career using your resume, your e-mail and the internet
Prepare killer cover letters and resumes the kind that gets employers attention
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Ace job interviews and get job offers from employers
Find well paying computer jobs on the internet and apply for job postings from your home
Master a programming language or technology easily
Receive job offers even when you have little or no previous experience, education or training
Become a highly marketable, in-demand, well-paid computer professional in a short time
Here are the tools that will help you achieve your goals:
1. E-Books: "The Street Smart Guide to High Paying Computer Programming Careers". Fast paced and rapid results book for you if you want a high paying and rewarding career working with computers as a computer programmer or a software consultant. Get a copy now at becomeacomputerprogrammer.com
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2. Private Forums: Online discussion groups where you can ask questions about jumpstarting your career, fast tracking your Information Technology skills, and building a rewarding career in Information Technology. You can get personalized career solutions or re-use existing solutions posted in this private members only forum. The fastest, cheapest way right now to get into these groups is to get a free invitation at becomeacomputerprogrammer.com
3. Newsletter: Subscribe to my free computer programming career development newsletter at http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=82790
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Below are some specific ways I can fast track your computer programming career.
Starting an Information Technology Career without Real World Experience

I will fast track your career by helping you gain relevant real world industry experience and hot in-demand Information Technology skills.
Getting Past Resume and Interview Hurdles to a High Paying Job

I can help you create a winning resume and ace job interviews. Even if your resume is out-of-date, I can help you re-create a marketable resume and career that will get hiring managers interested in talking to you.
Becoming a Software Developer without a College Education

Whether you have a high school degree or an associates degree I can help you get a rewarding career working with computers without
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asking you to back to school. My coaching allows you to build a fun career without taking on additional school loans or attending expensive schools. Your lack of a college degree will not hinder or stop you from getting the career of your dreams.
Becoming a Software Consultant without a Computer Science Degree

Whether your major is in arts, music, English, history or mathematics I can help you fast track to a career in Information Technology and computer programming without having to waste time or money.
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Interviewing Secrets That Get You Hired

This chapter is designed to help you succeed with your interviews by giving you practical strategies for conducting successful interviews based on my experience from interviewing with hiring managers at both Fortune 500 corporations and small businesses.
One of the challenges of software consulting is that while the recruiting firm or client may tell you that their project would last for six months, in reality their project may last for one month or two years. The only leverage that consultants, contractors or employees have is to remain marketable. This means that if you are in the market for work, you must consistently engage the kind of skills that are in demand with clients and employers. Maintain a network of recruiters and be prepared to educate potential new clients, hiring managers, recruiters and employers through job interviews on how you can create meaning for their companies and organizations.
Be confident.
Employers want you to be confident. Look them in the eye and tell them you can do the job. It is as simple as that. If you are not confident of the value and meaning that you can create for a potential employer or client, you will find it difficult to convince them to hire
you. This is because if you are not convinced that you can do the job, your potential employer or client will see the lack of confidence as an indication that you may be unqualified to do the job. The employer may start questioning the accuracy of your resume, your skills, your experience, your compensation and your competence. Not only this, employers conduct critical reviews of their new consultants and employees during the first three months of their relationship. If you exhibit a lack of self confidence, the people you report to or work with will notice and relate it back to your hiring manager who will count it against you during those first 3 months when opinions and impressions are being formed about your performance. So, a lack of confidence will create obstacles for you at the interview as well as when you are hired.
Gain experience.
Gain real life experience or entry level experience one way or another. It is hard to convince a prospective employer that you are qualified to do a job if you can not show on your resume that you are doing it. This is one of the situations where "action speaks louder than words". So, it is not enough to tell a prospective employer that you can do the job; you have to show them that you have done the job.
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Your experience, no matter how little it may appear proves more than anything else, your ability and qualification for a job. Employers really do believe in the maxim, that "past behavior or job performance is a good predictor of future behavior and performance".
Gaining experience may be easier than you think. Here is how you can do it. Break down the job you want to interview for into smaller roles and responsibilities, then volunteer for those roles. For example, if you want to interview for a sales job, you may participate in activities that involve raising money for non-profits by calling organizations and meeting them in person to convince them to donate money to the charity of your choice.
Show proof.
Demonstrate that you are the right candidate for the job. There are many ways to prove you are a good candidate for the job. Use some or all of the following words to offer proof. You studied . . . in college, you participated in an event about . . ., your hobby is . . . , you volunteered for . . ., you worked on . . ., you achieved . . ., you organized . . ., you are certified in, you have acquired skills in . . ., you are trained in . . ., you achieved . . . for . . .
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Dress tastefully.
Dress well for your interviews. Dress in a way that portrays you as a confident successful person. Once I interviewed for a job in Tulsa, OK, over the phone. The owner of the consulting firm was not sold on hiring me, according to his narrative. However, I met him in person and he presented me with an offer within the first 30 minutes of the interview. According to him, he felt compelled to make the offer because of my carriage, dressing and presence.
Dressing well for interviews goes beyond wearing a shirt, tie or jacket. It includes the quality of your clothing, your shoes and other accessories. It is more about how well your clothing fits on you and less about how much money you spend on your wardrobe. It is also more about cultivating a dressing style that enhances your physical presence, carriage and personality.
Have a friend with good dress sense critique your dressing for your interview. I got my own dress sense mostly from my college best friend Jude. Jude grew up in an upper middle class family and learned how to dress simply and fashionably as a kid. He would critique my wardrobe and assist me in shopping for new shirts, ties and jackets. Today, I am glad I listened to him, whenever people complement me on my appearance.
Know your job.

What is the point in going for an interview when you have little or no knowledge about the subject? Note that there is a difference between knowing a little about a subject and trying to know everything possible about the subject. You should strive to be reasonably informed about the subject. Some of the ways to become more informed about your job is to acquire certifications, subscribe to and read professional and industry magazines, join professional associations, start blogging about computer programming, go to college, write a book, or give speeches at conferences and seminars.
Speak up.
Be prepared to speak well about the topics you profess to be skilled in. The interview is a chance to sell your position, knowledge or experience about the topic. If you can not, you may be seen to be somewhat of a weak or incompetent candidate. If you are challenged about speaking or presenting, join a fun public speaking club like Toastmasters International. Remember that your ability to speak well will make or break you at interviews more than any other ability.
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If you have any sort of accent (regional accent or country based accent), speak clearly and slowly to your interviewer. Bear in mind that in todays world, your interviewer may not even be an American, or from the same region of the country as you are. Therefore, practice simple and universal rules of crystal clear speaking. Again, Toastmasters International will help you in that respect.
Listen hard.
Listen very attentively to the questions you are asked at the interview. Answer the question you are asked, and then shut up! There is no point in boring your interviewer(s) with a long treatise or miss the point altogether because you were not paying adequate attention to the question. When you miss the point, it may be an indication to your client that your listening skills are not up to par. The problem is that your listening skills equate to how well you can follow instructions and execute orders at work. Poor listening skills therefore can result in poor on the job performance. Because of this, an astute interviewer could ding you for not listening well, thereby hurting your chances of getting the job you are interviewing for.
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Be prepared.
Questions like: what is your most significant achievement and why? What is your least significant achievement and why? Are often more difficult than their cousin, explain this feature or this technique, because they probe your motivations, inner strengths and weaknesses.
I remember an interview with Procter & Gamble six months after graduating from college. I had delayed looking for employment by six months to sharpen my computer skills. The HR manager, on learning this fact, accused me of being inconsiderate of my parents financial commitment in sending me through several years of engineering school by delaying my entry into the job market. I was speechless for a moment, as I considered the injustice of the accusation. Frankly, I wasnt impressed by this line of questioning. However, I summoned my wits and calmly stated that the reason for delaying my entry into the job market was to enhance my marketability and competitiveness as a chemical engineer by acquiring strong computing skills. Needless to say, I got the job as a Proctor & Gamble management trainee. Looking back, I realize that the interviewer framed his question to arouse some strong emotional reaction like anger or resentment. Now, I am convinced that if I had reacted emotionally, I would not have gotten the job.
Service always comes first.

This is captured by the famous President John F. Kennedy during his Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961, "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." Therefore, do not attend an interview thinking of what you can get from the company. Always ask yourself before the interview, how can I be of service to this company or why should this company hire me?
Years ago, I got a foothold with my first information services consulting employer by asking myself the following two questions: What can I offer this consulting firm, coming from a chemical engineering background? What is the need of this consulting firm that I can meet? I answered these questions by offering my promotional skills which were better aligned with the needs of the company than my technical or engineering skills. By putting my potential employer first, I was able to come up with a win-win solution for both the firm and myself.
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Don't bad mouth your previous employer.

Never say anything negative about your present position or past employers, even if you are working for a boss from hell. Try to negotiate with a prospective employer with words like "I would like to work for you because I have been researching these concepts and I believe I would have an opportunity to use my learning to do a . . . z for your firm." Compare that to "I dont like working overtime at my current job; therefore I am seeking a less demanding job with your firm".
Small talk first!

Talk politely to everyone you meet at your interviewing location even if you are not interviewing with them. Dont be obnoxious, rude, or impatient in your negotiations or conversations with anyone at your prospective firm. At the same time, do not project timidity because both extremes are bad and point to other internal personality issues. For example, when you walk in for your interview, be courteous to the receptionist by smiling and greeting him or her. This demonstrates a healthy attitude and respect for people and do not be surprised if that gets you invited back to the company.
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Keep in touch with recruiters.

Keep in constant communication or touch with recruiters. Maintain your relationship with recruiters or highly networked people even if you are not in the market for a new job. Recruiters and hiring managers are human beings, so think of how you can help them when you are not directly seeking their help. One way is by introducing your friends who are looking for new positions or keeping them informed of changes at your client or employers site, which may impact your employment.
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Questions and Answers

From Novice To Professional
How much will I earn as a programmer? You can earn from $70,000 to $100,000 and more. Entry level pay may differ depending on how well you market yourself. How long will it take to learn computer programming? You can learn computer programming and get a job in 3 to 6 months if you are hard working. It takes this long even with my accelerated fast track system because you need to learn 2 or more languages before you start applying for a job. Will I find a programming job in my city? You will find programming jobs in most parts of the country. Sometime ago, I received an offer from a manufacturer in rural Arkansas and in a town of 10,000 people. You can do a reality check on Dice.com by searching for jobs in or around your city. Is programming difficult to learn? It can be difficult if you dont have good guidance or if you dont know what you are doing. With proper instructions and information, it is not. Do I need a degree in computer science to become a programmer?
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No, you dont. There are no legal requirements that I am aware that stipulate a college or computer science degree or some certification for professional computer programmers. Does my previous working experience count? You will be able to transfer your soft skills. Your communication, leadership, time management, writing, problem solving and negotiation skills will be transferable. In addition, your knowledge of specific business processes and industries can be transferred as well. Is it expensive to become a programmer? It is not expensive to become a programmer if you follow the plan laid out in my e-Book at BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com. If you already have a computer and an internet connection then you have paid for the most expensive part of your programmer. What is the lifestyle of programmers like? You will be able to earn a consistent, regular, sizeable paycheck on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. You will be in-demand and that means that you will find it easier than in many other professions to find jobs. You will be the architect of your own fortune. You will be able to work in professional environments with medical, dental, 401K benefits.
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How To Start:
To jumpstart your career in computer programming now, buy the e-Book The Street Smart Guide To High Paying Computer Programming Careers from BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com
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How To Begin Your Programming Career And Increase Your Income By 30%, 60% Or 100 %

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

About the Author

You can reach Kingsley by email at kingsleytagbo@it-career-coach.com .

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

Kingsley Tagbo, IT Career Coach

MAJOR OBSTACLES TO BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMMER .15

WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL HI-TECH CAREER? ...............20

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

Small talk first! _____________________________________________________________________ 33 Keep in touch with recruiters. _________________________________________________________ 34

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS...........................................................................35

HOW TO START: ...............................................................................................37

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

Reasons Why You Should Become a Programmer

Multiple Streams of Income:

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

Multiple Career Paths:

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

Low Entry Barrier to Programming Carriers:

Rapid Career Advancement:

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

Chance to Change the World:

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

Myth #2: You have to be good at math to be a programmer.

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

Myth #6: Computer programming takes years to learn.

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

Major Obstacles To Becoming A Professional Programmer

#1: The Classic Chicken-Or-Egg Lack of Experience problem

Weak Or Out Dated Technical Skills Will End Your Career

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

A Poorly Crafted Resume Will Close Doors

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

Poor Interviewing Skills Will Keep Job Offers Away

You Have To Master The Art Of Studying At Home

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

Do You Know How To Plan Your Career?

2006 Kingsley Tagbo. BecomeAComputerProgrammer.Com

Failing To Identify What Employers Want

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Starting an Information Technology Career without Real World Experience

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Small talk first! _____________ 33 Keep in touch with recruiters. _ 34