Starting off on the job ladder

[XMLMania]

Hi

I'm about to leave college soon here in England, and I've decided I don't want to go to Uni. Mostly because I don't want to be in education until I'm 25. How are my chances of finding a well paid computer programming/design job without a degree? I believe I am a capable XML/PHP programmer (see website in profile) but is this enough?

Can anyone relate or give me advice on the situation? At the moment I really don't know what to do... I'm just mindlessly email my Résumé :-S

- MG

[whizkiddo]

it would be tough to get a good job. suggest you start freelancing. get some decent experience with several projects under your belt. will add weight to your resume and people will take you much more seriously. payscale will also increase.

[hayluke]

You'll probably have to start at a lower level but if you're good enough then you should do ok. I started off in a fairly junior position (with no degree) and by the time my mates were leaving uni I was on fairly decent money (and wasn't 10k in debt!).

Good luck..

[nevetS]

10K?!? You must be an old timer. It was 4 times that for me and I went to a state school :)

[chris_f]

Hi MG,

I know many people who have done what you are trying. It is easy to do in the Uk and as such, you have an advantage. Alot of companies are looking for junior developers in the server-side programming area. Although ASP is more popular, PHP is looked for to a reasonable degree. As long as your willing to learn and don't mind a low-ish wage for a bit, then I don't think you will have any problems.

Look over some of the job sites and good luck.

atob.c

[XMLMania]

Hi

Thanks for the replies! Yeah you are right... it is easier than I thought, even tho the initial pay isn't fabulous. I actually got a job offer the day after i had submitted my C.V. unluckily it was in the south of England :-(. Are many of these types of jobs going in the North of England? namely Manchester? There sure is a lot of jobs in London, shame about the living costs down there!

- MG

[chris_f]

about the living costs down there!

It's for that reason that alot of developers are moving outside of London. I'm not sure about Manchester but I don't think it will take that long for something to come up.

atob.c

[ritualcoffee]

I went to college for 2 years and then landed a paid internship. Five months into my internship I was hired on full-time. I was then able to work and finish school. Work also had tution reimbursement so I don't have any debt.

Before dropping out completely, I would suggest looking into entry level internships that you can build on while taking some classes part time.