Would anyone mind offering me some IT related training/careers advice?

Flyonthewall

tomterm8 wrote: »

It's pretty easy to get experience in software development if you have the ability to work full time. Once you can program, go to any of the major open source software projects and volunteer. You'll be working with employed software engineers and will eventually be offered work if you are any good at it.

Open source projects are always looking out for software testers, for example.

If it's so easy then why say you don't think OP should do it? Surely the better advice is to have a look and see which they'd enjoy most by looking online at the basics, do a course to gain the knowledge, volunteer and see where it goes?

Still, I'm curious about these open source projects. First of all is it only programming or are there ones for websites, in which case how do you find them if there is?

For software testers, how do you find a project that needs testers? I've never seen anything like that.

tomterm8

Flyonthewall wrote: »

If it's so easy then why say you don't think OP should do it?.

Because, as I said, to get these type of entrance level roles you have to be able to work at least a full time job. The OP says they can't do that.

Flyonthewall wrote: »

For software testers, how do you find a project that needs testers? I've never seen anything like that.

All open source projects need software testers (as long as they have experience or knowledge of programming). You email them and ask them if they need help for free.

Flyonthewall wrote: »

. First of all is it only programming or are there ones for websites, in which case how do you find them if there is?.

Never heard of one for websites. Maybe there are, but I'd not be able to say how to find them.

Frankly, I think the best approach for that would be to make sure you are actually good, then offer to do the websites of local businesses for free, and build up a portfolio. But you'd be looking at building your own business if you do that, rather than getting employed.

Flyonthewall

tomterm8 wrote: »

Because, as I said, to get these type of entrance level roles you have to be able to work at least a full time job. The OP says they can't do that.

Fair enough.

All open source projects need software testers (as long as they have experience or knowledge of programming). You email them and ask them if they need help for free.

Yes, but how do you find them to email them? Like I say, never seen anything like that to know where to start/what to look for.

Never heard of one for websites. Maybe there are, but I'd not be able to say how to find them.

Frankly, I think the best approach for that would be to make sure you are actually good, then offer to do the websites of local businesses for free, and build up a portfolio. But you'd be looking at building your own business if you do that, rather than getting employed.

I don't mind being self employed. It would cost them to host it though (I couldn't afford to do that for free). I don't know that I'd get anywhere with offering a free website, stupid as it sounds that people wouldn't want a free site. I've mentioned before to people that I'd happily do them a website if they needed it and they laugh like I'm not serious (even after I say I am) Anyway, won't go into that too much but as a point to the OP if you go down that route it may take some effort to find business.

tomterm8

Flyonthewall wrote: »

Yes, but how do you find them to email them? Like I say, never seen anything like that to know where to start/what to look for.

Google "Sourceforge".

Flyonthewall wrote: »

I've mentioned before to people that I'd happily do them a website if they needed it and they laugh like I'm not serious (even after I say I am)

They probably don't think you are serious.

Make them a website before they've said "no," and show it to them. Say that it is a project for class / self study. If like it say they can have it for free.

Make sure it is very good.

"It is easier to ask for forgiveness than get permission".

Flyonthewall

tomterm8 wrote: »

Google "Sourceforge".

Thanks

They probably don't think you are serious.

Make them a website before they've said "no," and show it to them. Say that it is a project for class / self study. If like it say they can have it for free.

Make sure it is very good.

"It is easier to ask for forgiveness than get permission".

I know but I always say it in a serious tone, I say seriously I will, I repeat that I'm serious and still they laugh. Everytime. I have shown people sites I've done or coded things right in front of them and they think it's cool, looks really good, they're amazed I can code so well etc. Still they laugh when I say about a site. I mean, even if I'm picking the wrong people to say it to if they'll never want their own site I have said if you know anyone that wants a site I'll happily do it and still I get the same reaction.

tomterm8

Flyinthewall, are you:

(a) showing them websites you've done for yourself or other businesses?
(b) A website that you've done specifically for their business which already exists.

DKLS

tomterm8 wrote: »

Make them a website before they've said "no," and show it to them. Say that it is a project for class / self study. If like it say they can have it for free.

Make sure it is very good.

"It is easier to ask for forgiveness than get permission".

This+1, it worked for me starting out in IT, I would find local business's that had a dire website and I would re-build it and show it to them and offer it for a v cheap price. Once I had a genuine portfolio of sites I could attract customers with larger budgets.


As a side note I hire a chap freelance who has a number of disabilities, he has thanks to free online tutorials taught himself graphic design and advanced photo editing techniques, I hired him purely based on his talent and portfolio, whether he has a graphic design degree or not is irrelevant to me.


Good luck Op with whatever direction you decide to persue.

Flyonthewall

tomterm8 wrote: »

Flyinthewall, are you:

(a) showing them websites you've done for yourself or other businesses?
(b) A website that you've done specifically for their business which already exists.

One I did for a friend which was a sort of potential business site. That's the main one I show. I did another for friends/myself that some have seen but I can't remember the address for it now lol.

None of them have had businesses. Some have spoken of maybe doing that one day or mentioned other people they know that might or have or whatever. It's more had the chance to mention it and try my luck in getting something.

I've done 2 sites for businesses though. The first, nothing happened with it and it was a complete waste of time. Not even sure the company exists now, their original website no longer seems to exist. Bit of an odd situation tbh.

The second was as part of a job interview/trial - spent ages on it and they never bothered to contact me despite saying if I could manage it I basically had the job. I don't get what happened there at all.

DigForVictory

Custom reports are ones where the basic menu lets you choose "all sales between X & Y date" & with careful nudging you get "team A sales between X & Y date". It isn't mindbendingly complex but most users stop due to lack of nerve/ not knowing it's all based on logic & thus a "power user" who really knows the software & how it's been set up can sort loads of minor queries at the desk & write the fiddlier reports for senior management.

The only hitch is that it's rarely appreciated in the pay packet!.