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peterdemain
8,001 PointsJob readiness, questions, what next, qualifications, college, university, apprenticeships, or freelance all the way?
If i decide to become a professional in HTML, CSS, Java-script, C# computer languages in general. Where would i begin at college, university or possibly an apprenticeship to become qualified?
So Really..."how to get out the 'bedroom' and working in business with appropriate qualifications an employer looks for?"
peterdemain
8,001 PointsI use w3schools for quick reference now for colors and bumb moments lol, for me that where it all started. I have been meaning to take those certifications they are the only certifications I could find that specialize specifically on Computer science languages. Only been discouraged away because since I read up in some other forum sometime ago they may not be recognized by some employers. I thought 'w3school, never??' they help to standardize it all surely? Your links are very useful and inspiring along with the other posts have help me focus my thoughts now. Ready to rock!
Garrett Jeffrey
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 10,064 PointsVery inspiring guys! Every time i read through the forum i find great people here. Thats why i like Treehouse so much. Thanks for all the good comments. It really helped me out a lot.
7 Answers
carl simpson
Courses Plus Student 15,941 Pointsi went the self taught route , which isn't easy , but Ive found that by doing so it has shown employers my passion and commitment to my cause .. its not been easy , has cost me more than i anticipated and i still feel like i have a mountain to climb , but starting out with very little knowledge, within a year , Ive now secured a job as a front end developer and am happily working in the industry .. its not necessarily which route you take .. its how much effort your willing to put in to achieve what it is you want ...
sdfngsdlfkjnsdf
8,389 Pointshey Carl, what did you do to secure your first job? portfolio? building applications? is there a such thing as an internship route and what would you suggest?
carl simpson
Courses Plus Student 15,941 PointsI guess i was lucky , i got my first job which was just HTML/CSS , working a 3 month contract , from there i went to a big agency , and despite learning loads i didnt make the grade and got fired , i went back to my mac , and nailed every tutorial i could on here and just kept trying interviewed for 10 jobs and finally i made it .. I guess my advice to you is , dont give up! , your going to get disheartend , its going to seem impossible , but if you believe in yourself, you will make it ..
sdfngsdlfkjnsdf
8,389 Points'is the juice worth the squeeze' being in the industry to you? it would seem so
carl simpson
Courses Plus Student 15,941 Pointsi was a chef for 20 years before i made the leap ... today im living the dream .... sat behind my mac , in a "funky environment" like offices are ... if you want it badly enough ... youll endure the first years worth of BS , its totally worth the effort
sdfngsdlfkjnsdf
8,389 Pointsthat's inspiring Carl, thanks for sharing. do you have a website/portfolio by chance?
carl simpson
Courses Plus Student 15,941 Pointswww.carlsimpson.co.uk ... youll get there , just keep plugging away .. if i can do it ..... anybody can ...
Derek Etnyre
20,822 Points"Fake it until you make it": http://www.w3schools.com/cert/cert_html.asp
peterdemain
8,001 PointsCarl, thank you I have been reading your posts, been busy and unable to reply. its been fascinating to read you're experiences i wish you prosperous future with your new career path.
Similar situation, I'm full time work Studying HTML/CSS in whatever spare time I get, for over a year now. Experimenting with PHP/Java-script which isn't moving forward as fast as i like... but hey my commitments must come first. ;) my HTML/CSS Is working good just need to practice and remember! anyway...
You have really helped focus my plans with your experience. When the time comes I will go full-time, but right now I must ease my way into the career part-time, and just start advertising in what I know. I need to get certified with the link Derek added. Haven't found many places that offer similar awards. Learndirect had nearly every computer language going but late last year they removed most of them.
Thank you Derek, certifications are the short term study option I am looking for. Along with experience and good plenty of good references. I know will provide the clients and employers confidence to take me on.
carl simpson
Courses Plus Student 15,941 Pointstbh , i dont know if you need the w3c cert , no disrespect to derek , i looked at it myself , if you have working websites that show your clean well written code , this holds more weight imo.
im just a regular treehouse student like we all are ... just thought id throw in my experience as my route in isn't the normal way ( school/ university etc ) so it gives us career switchers a bit of a moral boost to know it is actually possible if you sit here for long enough and learn what you need to systematically .. :D
Derek Etnyre
20,822 PointsDerek Etnyre
20,822 PointsYou may want to consider taking some certification exams - they are a great resume booster. Is another way to tell a future employer that you are serious about what you do. They show that you took the time to study for and take the exam.
W3 schools has some basic certifications that may be worth it: http://www.w3schools.com/cert/cert_html.asp