Forum Moderators: mack
APPLICATIONS:
Flash, Director, Pro Tools, Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks, Swift3d, Dreamweaver, Premiere and some aftereffects.
SCRIPTING LANGUAGES:
HTML, Javascript, Lingo, Actionscript
I have only about 6 more months to go and about 4-5 classes more to complete in these 6 months which are all basic gen. ed classes. But yet it seems that the applications that I have learned are not the ones needed to get a job. Plus everytime I get on a certain web development forum I feel widely under qualified?
I have 2 websites that I do work for but they are straight html and some Javascript, My personal website is just a portfolio that basically has some of the better work I have done while in school, and a flash version, so basically is there any hope or are my qualifications not enough to get me a job as an entry level web developer? and if so what do I need to learn, I know I need some type of server scripting but I cant decide on which one? Could someone point me in the right direction as I am lost and feeling more and more like my education is going to go down the drain...
Esteban
more than anything employers want to see a strong portfolio.
ben
Practically everyone is underqualified when they first start out. After working awhile one day, you'll wake up and find yourself being the teacher of a bunch of people who are less qualified than you are. You'll also see that you've caught up and maybe passed those you thought were so knowledgable today. Until then, just keep asking questions and learning.
Why do you say: "But yet it seems that the applications that I have learned are not the ones needed to get a job." What kind of jobs are you looking for that the programs you learned so far don't apply? I've never worked as a website developer myself until very recently, but I have hired several to run large intranet sites. They had similiar training as you. Whatever they lacked which was usually server-side, I sent them off to school.
I understand that the applications I know are valuable but how possible is to find an employer that will willingly send you to a school to learn some of these server-side applications?
My fear is that upon graduation I will find it very hard to get a job in the field I love: Web development. My school offers job placement for life, but currently the field is extrtemetly competitive. I have heard horror stories of alumni who graduated a few quarters ago and are still having trouble finding a job. But as it was mentioned I guess its just a matter of like most of you say keep up with the technology while I'm not that far behind.
There's plenty people claiming to be a designer, so with a degree, in 4 years time, I think you'll be sitting prettier than most.
I wouldnt worry too much, doing the degree is probably your best course of action, as said above by bluesky the technology becomes obsolete, but the piece of paper with your degree on it won't ;) Where was google in 1999? by the time you finish your degree in '07/08 you'll have all the skill set and experience (the sites youre making) youll ever need to get your hands dirty online ;)
p.s. when you do sign up, look out for work experience opportunities, a good deal of the time you can get paid work while gaining the experience.
//added
Alot of people here will that visiting WebmasterWorld and working online is the experience you'll need, which is definetely true, but the degree is always something to fall back on imo
You may love web development, but with the way the economy is don't be so proud that you won't take something else. There's lots of people who go to school majoring in one area and end up with careers in a totally different field. You can always be a for-hire contractor to keep your skills up and continue to build the resume.
If you want to help break yourself out from the pack, I recommend you find a tech site or magazine or whatever and volunteer to do some articles on anything you've learned. That's very impressive to see on a resume because it shows you not only know the subject matter but are now teaching others. If you are able to publish a book or two further down the road, you'll find getting jobs will be a piece of cake.
the technology becomes obsolete, but the piece of paper with your degree on it won't
Whenever you need help ... the good folks here will do their very best to assist. Use WebmasterWorld whenever you can. Pay back (helping others) as you can! :)
Also, years ago when mainframe programming was a lucrative field to be in, it was very hard to get a foot in the door entry level. A local insurance company would hire entry level - only people with a 4 year degree, regardless of what it was in. A friend whose career was as a college English teacher got in with only 2 classes in COBOL. They'd send all new hires through their in-house training program, teaching all from scratch with their system - but they had to have SOME degree behind them.
It can't hurt, it might help a lot with certain big companies or give you an edge you might not otherwise have. And the advantage of those is that they do have ongoing employee training, educational reimbursement benefits for those who want to pursue additional higher education or skills development, and a slew of other benefits.
Some job openings ask for an either/or - education and/or experience so lacking experience, the degree behind you will help there.
Start hunting down and seeing what skills are being required with job openings out there. craigslist for any big city - try several - is a good place to assess the job market. They vary quite a bit from company to company, but you can get a general feel. Oh, and remember that sometimes their job requirements are their "wish list" - but it doesn't mean you're out if you don't have it all, many settle for a lot less and they know they will.
any helop would be appreciated!
esteban.
ASP is more popular than cold fusion, but CF developers really like it. Both require proprietary software.
Also look at PHP (www.php.net) which is a free download and runs on any platform.
However, if you want to ensure that you advance to management, if you want to be the one making decisions instead of following them, if you want to be a leader, if you want to be prepared for opportunities as they present themselves, if you want to be in a position to implement your ideas, then, you will benefit greatly from a good foundation provided by a general education beyond just those technical skills.
It isn't that you can't "make it" without the education because many do (especially in this field) rather, it's that a good education prepares you to anticipate and adapt which can make the journey easier.
This board attacts some extremely bright people whose posts are inspiring and challenging, so, hanging out here will help with both sides of your education :)
Oh, one last thought - feeling under qualified can be a good sign. It's an indication you've discovered there is always more to learn!
Good luck.
If you can program in ASP.Net you can program Windows Forms, Services, etc....they are all very similar in the "basic" code and you'll be more valuable.
The two areas require vastly different skills.
Many jobs will require skills in both areas, because they want an all-around do-it-yourself web page making whiz. But the larger employers, and especially advertising and marketing agencies, treat them as separate jobs. As a designer, you will not get a chance to fiddle with javascript, and that aspiring artist in the programming pit never gets to use Photoshop.
Figure out whether you want to specialize in one or the other, or become passably proficient in both. Assess your own talent. Don't set yourself up for a career you won't enjoy.
Here are some nuggets of advice that I'd give to any aspiring webhead, in no particular order, and in a long unreadable paragraph.
Pay attention to issues that will be important when you graduate. Follow the technology. Learn how to learn independently. Get good manuals. Remember that your teachers are probably teaching a lot of the stuff that's over 5 years old. Get to know people working in the biz' and hang out with them to "talk shop", learn the jargon, find out which employers suck, and get tips. Do as much work as you can, and stuff your portfolio with screen shots of all your best pix. Make and host your own website with a very well-prepared resume. Don't show off. "Cool" design only appeals to surfboard companies. Think like a suit, and make sites that look like they'd haul in piles of cash. Be willing to do "projects" for free or for little pay, but never take a "job" for less than you're worth. Don't underbid. Don't expect to keep your first four post-grad jobs for more than 9 months each - always be looking for that upgrade to another company. Don't call yourself an expert in something until you really are one. Keep experimenting.
Cheers
A degree not only shows what you know and helps in the future, but it also shows many attributes that may come with going to university or college (moving away from home, meeting people, doing projects, etc).
Also, when it comes to applying for jobs, especially in the web/design industries then forget all the traditional approaches you've been taught. About 99% of people I've met don't wear suits, don't enjoy paperwork, aren't too strict about 'lunchbreak times' etc. A boring or standard letter/email shows you're boring - who wants to work with a boring person? I sent off a few emails loaded with slang, emotion, humour, enthusiasm, cheekiness and a portfolio of links and CV - got a job because the boss said it stood out. The interview was a formality ;)
