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So I've been getting back into software developing, re-teaching myself how to code in Java and move on to PHP and HTML5. Years ago I didn't think there was much of a future for web developers, turns out I limited my job search locally... in Arizona, save for the inferno we call Phoenix are devoid of a need for software engineers and web developers. Assumed I had to live in large metropolis cities just to have a chance, but also learned there are other options besides LA and NY. Vegas for example has the casino industry and people are always designing interfaces for slot machines, video promotions and such. Marketing is bigger than ever and always need people to build programs that push advertising.
Now, I have a comp sci BA as a means to get past HR types, but as far as I read people want to see your skill over a degree. Hardest part will be getting job experience, as I'm 36 now and I'm not going to let tech blogs try to deter me with age discrimination since there are people on Youtube that confirmed otherwise.
My questions are:
What are work schedules/Quality of Life like? Typical work day?
Do you have websites to show off your work and portfolio? I'm looking at purchasing web space again and use that as a way to show employers my skills. I'd like to see some examples on how to format my own.
What should I expect when entering the field at my age and limited experience? I've developed two videogames solo, one on Google Play and another on Steam it was half done in code, other half in a simplistic interface in HTML5. One project in Java that never got off the ground due to lack of interest.
How is the job competition? Are specialists more valued than Jack of all trades?
What are work schedules/Quality of Life like? Typical work day?
Do you have websites to show off your work and portfolio? I'm looking at purchasing web space again and use that as a way to show employers my skills. I'd like to see some examples on how to format my own.
What should I expect when entering the field at my age and limited experience? I've developed two videogames solo, one on Google Play and another on Steam it was half done in code, other half in a simplistic interface in HTML5. One project in Java that never got off the ground due to lack of interest.
How is the job competition? Are specialists more valued than Jack of all trades?
Thank you for your time.
Before I answer your questions-- I hate to ask this but there is a valid reason for it. You say you're 36-- do you look 36? Older, or younger? Your age or if you look your age can work against you. I've heard this from men in their late 30's to early 40's who were looking and struggled to get jobs. I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer, but thought I'd put it out there...
Are you interested in working for a start-up, or an established business? A start-up may require more than the 40 hour work week. Do you want to work remotely, on-site, at client sites, or travel?
I think it would be a good idea to have a website, and keep it updated. Include a link on your resume and business cards. I think having an online portfolio for employers to look at could be a nice way for them to see the variety of your capabilities and your interests.
If you don't have a lot of on the job experience, the competition can be tough. Employers want to hear you talk about buzzwords and concepts like methodologies, whether you worked with the full stack, do you prefer front end or back end work, etc. I think you might have an edge over entry-level workers, with a degree and skills but the problem is getting past the initial interview with HR or recruiting. Specialists are usually considered valuable once you have a few years and want to establish yourself in a specific product niche.
A degree is important, so it's good you have it. I've only met one person who works as a developer without a degree, and he is one of those "been coding since I was 9" types. He's completely self-taught, no tutoring, classes, etc. Not everyone is like that.
If you're going to enter the web space, you should probably skip antiquated languages like php and java. Yes, there's a lot of java and php applications out there, but there's just as many skilled java and php developers. And as time goes by, the number of java and php applications are going to decrease (in favor of modern technologies).
The web is really about three things. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. And JavaScript is king right now. There's far fewer good JavaScript developers than there are Java and PHP developers. Someone who is up to speed on modern JavaScript is going to have a much easier time landing their first professional web job than someone who knows php and java (simply due to less competition).
Also, JavaScript isn't going to go anywhere anytime soon. Not only is it the only programming language a web browser can run, it's also used on servers and for mobile apps.
That being said, if you're already proficient in Java, PHP, or another common language, you should most certainly leverage your existing knowledge to enter the space.
What are work schedules/Quality of Life like? Typical work day?
I work normal hours and is satisfied with my quality of life.
Do you have websites to show off your work and portfolio? I'd like to see some examples on how to format my own.
Yes I do, and I just use a bootstrap format. You can choose between a lot of different formats.
What should I expect when entering the field at my age and limited experience?
The demand is very high, if you know what you are doing. You probably need to get better in Java and move to a bigger city.
How is the job competition? Are specialists more valued than Jack of all trades?
Specialists are preferred for high paying jobs. But there a lot of small companies who want developers to do everything that is technical, provide support to customers and they can't afford a high salary.
It is those companies that is most likely to give you a job.
If you're going to enter the web space, you should probably skip antiquated languages like php and java. Yes, there's a lot of java and php applications out there, but there's just as many skilled java and php developers. And as time goes by, the number of java and php applications are going to decrease (in favor of modern technologies).
Really bad advice. Learning basic php is super easy and a lot of web developing jobs are not available if you don't know it. Secondly, I wouldn't recommend skipping java. Most organisations have some application apart from their website, if you don't know anything apart from web development, then you are not very valuable. Java is used for a lot of applications, it is very useful.
Also, its not declining, there are more java jobs than javascript jobs.
Quote:
The web is really about three things. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. And JavaScript is king right now. There's far fewer good JavaScript developers than there are Java and PHP developers. Someone who is up to speed on modern JavaScript is going to have a much easier time landing their first professional web job than someone who knows php and java (simply due to less competition).
No, that is wrong. Web development is about a lot more than just those three. If you want to be a good web developer you got to know HTML, CSS/SASS/LESS, JavaScript, Jquery, Bootstrap/Foundation, Node, PHP, MySQL, python, ruby, and angular.
And I wouldn't recommend it, you will be a lot more valuable if you also know Java or .NET.
The more technologies that you know/have experience in, the better off you are. However, usually the technologies are related in some way.
Sometimes county and city and town and state government IT jobs pay low, depending on the location. Sometimes they pay so low that only entry level people apply. Maybe look for those jobs to see if you can get hired and work there a couple years to increase your experience.
Also look into volunteering with a charity and building a web site for free, to get the experience on your resume.
To see what companies are looking for, go to www dot dice dot com. This web site has only techy jobs. You can review the open positions to see what employers are looking for. Plug in different locations (or nationwide) and different keywords. This gives you a very good idea of what is out there for tech work.
Lastly - check your college's career placement department. Call or visit if you can and talk to the people in that department. they have access to employers that recruit through them and they can direct you to resources (web sites for job search) and also for companies that might consider you.
Do you have the ability to get a clearance? (US Citizen, clean record, well documented where you have lived and travelled for the past 10 years) And would you be willing to move to a defense town? I'm a software engineer living in a defense town and I've never had any sort of problem finding a job, because these type of positions cannot be outsourced.
What are work schedules/Quality of Life like? Typical work day?
Fantastic. Pretty flexible hours - as long as you work 80 hours over a two week period, and are mostly in the office during the core hours of 9-4, you're pretty much golden. Some overtime, especially right before big releases, but it's *usually* paid overtime or comp time awarded.
Do you have websites to show off your work and portfolio? I'm looking at purchasing web space again and use that as a way to show employers my skills. I'd like to see some examples on how to format my own.
Nope. That'd be illegal Most employers around here cover this by asking questions during the interview.
What should I expect when entering the field at my age and limited experience? I've developed two videogames solo, one on Google Play and another on Steam it was half done in code, other half in a simplistic interface in HTML5. One project in Java that never got off the ground due to lack of interest.
In the defense world? You'd still be entering the field as a Jr Developer because of lack of experience. But you can move up quickly by job hopping. If you have trouble getting into the field, it's easier if you start as a tester. You just have to be careful not to get pigeonholed into testing forever, unless of course you like it.
How is the job competition? Are specialists more valued than Jack of all trades?
Again in the defense world - job competition is hardly any. If you're qualified, SOMEBODY will pick you up, places are needing folks all the time. On the other side of that, you will get laid off fairly often, but most of the time I'm only out of work for a week or so before I get picked up again. When going in, you want to be Jack of all trades, but as you move further on in your career, a specialist is going to be more valued.
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Most employers around here cover this by asking questions during the interview. 
