Click here to Skip to main content
15,892,537 members

Welcome to the Lounge

   

For discussing anything related to a software developer's life but is not for programming questions. Got a programming question?

The Lounge is rated Safe For Work. If you're about to post something inappropriate for a shared office environment, then don't post it. No ads, no abuse, and no programming questions. Trolling, (political, climate, religious or whatever) will result in your account being removed.

 
GeneralRe: Seriously... Pin
Nagy Vilmos3-Jul-14 0:41
professionalNagy Vilmos3-Jul-14 0:41 
GeneralRe: Seriously... Pin
glennPattonWork33-Jul-14 0:46
professionalglennPattonWork33-Jul-14 0:46 
GeneralRe: Seriously... Pin
Mike Hankey3-Jul-14 2:23
mveMike Hankey3-Jul-14 2:23 
GeneralRe: Seriously... Pin
Jeremy Falcon3-Jul-14 4:01
professionalJeremy Falcon3-Jul-14 4:01 
NewsWorld UFO day Pin
Super Lloyd2-Jul-14 18:05
Super Lloyd2-Jul-14 18:05 
GeneralRe: World UFO day Pin
#realJSOP3-Jul-14 3:22
mve#realJSOP3-Jul-14 3:22 
GeneralRe: World UFO day Pin
Super Lloyd3-Jul-14 3:37
Super Lloyd3-Jul-14 3:37 
GeneralMy area (Flint, MI) is bad for programming work, but I don't have much experience. Will moving make a difference in that case? Pin
That New Guy2-Jul-14 17:57
That New Guy2-Jul-14 17:57 
I've gone through my story here a couple times. I graduated with a Bachelors in Computer Information Systems close to 3 years ago. Unfortunately, I did no internships or networking while in college. In terms of finding work, it's been rough. I had a junior programmer job at a printing company 7 months out of college, but got laid off 10 months ago. Since then, I've been looking for work and learning languages. I have only 2 projects on Github, but I'm looking to put more up later. I've had a few interviews, but nothing panned out.

My main issue is that I don't have enough experience. Though I'm aiming for programming positions, I only got in a year and a half at my previous job. That was in an obscure language called FoxPro. Also, my degree was CIS. I didn't appreciate the difference between CS/CIS in college. I knew fairly early I wanted to program, but after transferring from Community College, a CS degree would have taken way longer and cost way more at that point. Now that I'm trying to learn all this extra stuff on my own, I feel I should have taken that hit and switched majors. Now I don't have the cash to go back (and don't want to take on more loans).*

The second issue is that I live in Flint, Michigan. Aside from topping "worst crime in Michigan" lists every year, there's not a lot here in terms of programming work that I haven't already applied to. Heck, I've been applying to places 3-10 cities over since the start of my hunt, and not getting many bites. Due to meager savings post-layoff and my closeness to my relatives, I didn't want to move at first. Now I recognize I have to at some point. I was thinking of Lansing, because I see plenty of job postings coming from there and I've had relatives who lived there before and say it's nice. Any spot in MI where entry-level programmers are in demand will do though. I'll probably find some temp jobs to save up the money.

However, there's still the main issue. I don't have much work experience in programming. I also have a 10+ month gap on my resume. These things will still be true, even if I was able to move tomorrow. So, does it matter if I move? I think I can get temp work and save money, but the cost of moving will still be huge, and I don't want to take the gamble of moving if the move is ineffective. I'm going to save money either way if I can find "stepping-stone" work, as well as put up projects. But should I move as soon as I have enough money, or wait until I have an offer from a company? The offer doesn't have to include relocation; I'd move on my own dime if the salary was decent enough. I'm not moving out of Michigan anyway.

*Please note I don't mean to start any war between CIS and CS majors here. I just feel I should have taken the CS degree.
GeneralRe: My area (Flint, MI) is bad for programming work, but I don't have much experience. Will moving make a difference in that case? Pin
_Damian S_2-Jul-14 18:02
professional_Damian S_2-Jul-14 18:02 
GeneralRe: My area (Flint, MI) is bad for programming work, but I don't have much experience. Will moving make a difference in that case? Pin
That New Guy2-Jul-14 18:10
That New Guy2-Jul-14 18:10 
GeneralRe: My area (Flint, MI) is bad for programming work, but I don't have much experience. Will moving make a difference in that case? Pin
_Damian S_2-Jul-14 18:28
professional_Damian S_2-Jul-14 18:28 
GeneralRe: My area (Flint, MI) is bad for programming work, but I don't have much experience. Will moving make a difference in that case? Pin
NeverJustHere2-Jul-14 19:16
NeverJustHere2-Jul-14 19:16 
GeneralRe: My area (Flint, MI) is bad for programming work, but I don't have much experience. Will moving make a difference in that case? Pin
_Damian S_2-Jul-14 20:15
professional_Damian S_2-Jul-14 20:15 
GeneralRe: My area (Flint, MI) is bad for programming work, but I don't have much experience. Will moving make a difference in that case? Pin
Jarek Kruza2-Jul-14 20:18
Jarek Kruza2-Jul-14 20:18 
GeneralRe: My area (Flint, MI) is bad for programming work, but I don't have much experience. Will moving make a difference in that case? Pin
PIEBALDconsult3-Jul-14 11:37
mvePIEBALDconsult3-Jul-14 11:37 
GeneralRe: My area (Flint, MI) is bad for programming work, but I don't have much experience. Will moving make a difference in that case? Pin
Andy Brummer2-Jul-14 20:24
sitebuilderAndy Brummer2-Jul-14 20:24 
GeneralM Yass Pin
S u n s h i n e2-Jul-14 13:41
S u n s h i n e2-Jul-14 13:41 
GeneralRe: M Yass Pin
_Damian S_2-Jul-14 14:27
professional_Damian S_2-Jul-14 14:27 
GeneralRe: M Yass Pin
PIEBALDconsult2-Jul-14 14:41
mvePIEBALDconsult2-Jul-14 14:41 
GeneralRe: M Yass Pin
GenJerDan3-Jul-14 3:33
GenJerDan3-Jul-14 3:33 
GeneralNyLotto Pin
Member 108533372-Jul-14 13:03
Member 108533372-Jul-14 13:03 
GeneralRe: NyLotto Pin
Chris Quinn2-Jul-14 22:09
Chris Quinn2-Jul-14 22:09 
GeneralRe: NyLotto Pin
Brisingr Aerowing3-Jul-14 5:54
professionalBrisingr Aerowing3-Jul-14 5:54 
GeneralWhat is it called? Pin
Duncan Edwards Jones2-Jul-14 11:08
professionalDuncan Edwards Jones2-Jul-14 11:08 
GeneralRe: What is it called? Pin
Andy Brummer2-Jul-14 11:11
sitebuilderAndy Brummer2-Jul-14 11:11 

General General    News News    Suggestion Suggestion    Question Question    Bug Bug    Answer Answer    Joke Joke    Praise Praise    Rant Rant    Admin Admin   

Use Ctrl+Left/Right to switch messages, Ctrl+Up/Down to switch threads, Ctrl+Shift+Left/Right to switch pages.