Apprenticeship in ICT/Computer/Programming for 16 year old
Discussion
Wizkid said:
Hi there, I have just completed my GCSE at school (16 years of age) and looking to make a career out of ICT/Computing or software programming.
Good choice of career. I've been doing itfor lots of years now and never regretted it.
Nearly all the people I have met/worked with in the trade
have degrees.
Mention of apprenticeships for computer programming
sounds like a very non standard way to do it to me.
Wizkid said:
recently started coding in my own spare in PHP format and using mySQL databases which I need to learn more about.
I started with BASIC and assembler and Fortran and Algol and pascal.You might like to start with Java and Python and Perl.
Good career choice! I've been programming and the like for 12 years or so now and still enjoy it.
I started out in a similar way, I studied VB in my own time at college and then sent letters to all the local software houses/IT companies offering out my time for free. One took me on and after a pre-agreed try out, 2 months IIRC, they took me on. I was paid a pittance but it gave me a foot in the door.
Good luck to you in doing this and it wont be easy, prepare yourself for lots of no letters, but with luck perseverance and the right amount of skill you stand as good a chance as I did.
Technically I'd either look at php/mysql or MS .Net. Sorry I cant help but i based up in the north.
I started out in a similar way, I studied VB in my own time at college and then sent letters to all the local software houses/IT companies offering out my time for free. One took me on and after a pre-agreed try out, 2 months IIRC, they took me on. I was paid a pittance but it gave me a foot in the door.
Good luck to you in doing this and it wont be easy, prepare yourself for lots of no letters, but with luck perseverance and the right amount of skill you stand as good a chance as I did.
Technically I'd either look at php/mysql or MS .Net. Sorry I cant help but i based up in the north.
If you definitely want an apprenticeship, have you tried this site:
http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/list/apprenticeshipsdirectory/adminandprof/informationtechnologyandelectronicservices.htm ?
It might be worth writing or calling up all of the local IT consultancies or web development companies and at least see if they'll meet you for a chat and some career advice. If they like you they might offer you something, and even if don't make you an offer at least you'll get a better idea of what they are looking for.
Good luck!
http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/list/apprenticeshipsdirectory/adminandprof/informationtechnologyandelectronicservices.htm ?
It might be worth writing or calling up all of the local IT consultancies or web development companies and at least see if they'll meet you for a chat and some career advice. If they like you they might offer you something, and even if don't make you an offer at least you'll get a better idea of what they are looking for.
Good luck!
Very commendable.
You don't need a degree to do this. I chose not to go to uni after my A Levels and have spent my career not regretting it one bit. I now have a software company and write 3 Tier database systems using DELPHI and ORACLE. The system currently under development has some 260 tables and 380 views with code in DELPHI and ORACLE PL/SQL.
mySQL is great for simple websites but for true corporate strength go for ORACLE. You can download the 10g Lite at (free) http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products...
Don't be afraid of ORACLE at its heart there are TABLES and INDEXES and INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE statements. There is also a load of surrounding fluff but you can ignore most of it to begin with.
The industry is difficult to get in because people want experience but how do you get experience if you can't get a job? Chicken and Egg come to mind. Ever thought about writing a mySQL/PHP website for a charity or even for yourself to act as a showcase for what you can do. Kind of like when a graphic designer takes a portfolio to interviews. As you develop the system note down issues you had and how you overcame them as this is a strength you will need.
You don't need a degree to do this. I chose not to go to uni after my A Levels and have spent my career not regretting it one bit. I now have a software company and write 3 Tier database systems using DELPHI and ORACLE. The system currently under development has some 260 tables and 380 views with code in DELPHI and ORACLE PL/SQL.
mySQL is great for simple websites but for true corporate strength go for ORACLE. You can download the 10g Lite at (free) http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products...
Don't be afraid of ORACLE at its heart there are TABLES and INDEXES and INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE statements. There is also a load of surrounding fluff but you can ignore most of it to begin with.
The industry is difficult to get in because people want experience but how do you get experience if you can't get a job? Chicken and Egg come to mind. Ever thought about writing a mySQL/PHP website for a charity or even for yourself to act as a showcase for what you can do. Kind of like when a graphic designer takes a portfolio to interviews. As you develop the system note down issues you had and how you overcame them as this is a strength you will need.
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