What area to focus on?

Hi Huw!

I'm guessing you've graduated in an unrelated subject (i.e. not Computer Science/ Web Dev etc.) If so I am certainly in a similar boat. I graduated last September with a degree in Surf Science (yes it exists! and no we didn't all just learn to surf :P).

Anyway after realising that I wouldn't get a job with such a degree - at least not easily - I decided to get back into graphics design. As a portfolio project I decided to start designing graphics for tee-shirts etc. which is now starting to change from just a portfolio piece into an actual company (hopefully). Of cause that would mean that I would need a website/ online store and thus I've ended up here and now want to pursue a career in web development and design!

I'd say try out all the different avenues - web dev/design, mobile dev, programming etc. Also try to figure out what kind of company you'd like to work for and take a look at their job listings, this should help you figure out which languages are most in demand and valued as well as any other attributes that they would want from you.

as stupid as it sounds option 1 is your best bet and i shall explain

the job market is pretty dire at the moment and finding the option 2 job may be hard with option 1 you will have the income you need to survive and keep you afloat while you study and look for better when you are not working yeah your doing menial boring work but you will have a basic earning to live on and a fall back if the dream job never shows up its hard work ballencing a job and studdies but that will aid you in your search because youll have conditioned yourself to be a hard worker something which the dream job will value along with your skills

My advice: If you can find an internship, take it. Your foot is in the door, you are paying your dues, you are meeting people in the industry, and you will learn on the job, plus you can always continue learning in your spare time.

You should always be doing #2. Things move too fast to ever stop doing that. Basically, be doing both.

I agree with John Locke here that you should definitely always be doing #2. Especially in this kind of industry. A number of times I've gotten stuck in a project where I'm saying "aw crap... I need a way to do THIS" and I don't know if a way exists... and then they feature something on the Treehouse podcast that does that EXACT thing. The habit of learning new things is a difference-maker.

I was lucky that I landed a position with a place that allows me to log time specifically for "self learning" in relevant subjects. I had gotten so used to paying for membership and doing it for free it was actually a shock. If you can get an internship, keep learning and speak up when you think you can contribute, you'll get ahead :)

Right on, Mark Davidson , that's the way to do it!

Hi! Thanks for the advice, I have taken it to heart and am lining up interviews. In the meantime however, I'll be dedicating a good amount of time to treehouse! Cheers, Huw