Grats m8! Hope you enjoy it :)
I wouldn't want to go back to it though, eventhough they pay was indeed pretty damn sweet. After all that time trying to get my foot in and actually getting a job as C# developer, I have realized it really isn't my thing. Keeping a hobby a hobby works best for me it seems.
@Orca:
Having Degrees in IT isn't the be-al end-all for getting a job as a programmer. If you can show your potential employer that you are very enthausiastic about the job AND are willing and able to learn quickly, this will go a long way for them. Ofcourse you should be able to show them you have *some* relevant experience/.It does not have to be professional though. Just burn some of your best homebrew code/apps on CD and bring it along.
It also helps to browse some Developer community sites like MSDN and familiarising yourself with some of the latest stuff. You don't have to be an expert at it, just a passing knowledge so you can react to a question about it without having to pull stuff out of your ass or presenting them with awkward silences (they are killers!).
If you have no idea what the hell he/she is talking about, don't be afraid to say so. They will likely tell you in general what it's about and you cna then present your own experiences with this topic, thus continueing the conversation :)
Specially if you are still young, you are cheaper and it won't be a problem for many companies to offer you courses to follow during jobtime if you require them. Many MS partners will let you get the needed Microsoft Certifications on their behalf. Some companies employ a fixed anual budget for Educational purposes for every employee. The courses and exams are payed from this. So even if the first job isn't all that you hoped for, it is an ideal stepping stone to bigger things as this is the plce where you gather the professional experience And the paperwork!
Now the above mostly applies to companies who specialize in programming/ICT and who allready have the required know-how. So don't be a wise-ass and contradict them unless you really are 100% sure they are wrong/posing you a trick question.
Oh, and a lil personal tip: If you are unfamiliar with design patterns, go read up on them asap and fiddle with em a bit. They *will* be used and it will score you points if you can tell them about it during the interview.
I wouldn't want to go back to it though, eventhough they pay was indeed pretty damn sweet. After all that time trying to get my foot in and actually getting a job as C# developer, I have realized it really isn't my thing. Keeping a hobby a hobby works best for me it seems.
@Orca:
Having Degrees in IT isn't the be-al end-all for getting a job as a programmer. If you can show your potential employer that you are very enthausiastic about the job AND are willing and able to learn quickly, this will go a long way for them. Ofcourse you should be able to show them you have *some* relevant experience/.It does not have to be professional though. Just burn some of your best homebrew code/apps on CD and bring it along.
It also helps to browse some Developer community sites like MSDN and familiarising yourself with some of the latest stuff. You don't have to be an expert at it, just a passing knowledge so you can react to a question about it without having to pull stuff out of your ass or presenting them with awkward silences (they are killers!).
If you have no idea what the hell he/she is talking about, don't be afraid to say so. They will likely tell you in general what it's about and you cna then present your own experiences with this topic, thus continueing the conversation :)
Specially if you are still young, you are cheaper and it won't be a problem for many companies to offer you courses to follow during jobtime if you require them. Many MS partners will let you get the needed Microsoft Certifications on their behalf. Some companies employ a fixed anual budget for Educational purposes for every employee. The courses and exams are payed from this. So even if the first job isn't all that you hoped for, it is an ideal stepping stone to bigger things as this is the plce where you gather the professional experience And the paperwork!
Now the above mostly applies to companies who specialize in programming/ICT and who allready have the required know-how. So don't be a wise-ass and contradict them unless you really are 100% sure they are wrong/posing you a trick question.
Oh, and a lil personal tip: If you are unfamiliar with design patterns, go read up on them asap and fiddle with em a bit. They *will* be used and it will score you points if you can tell them about it during the interview.