What is a good way to break into the .NET Programming field?

Question

I have a 4 year degree, but it is not in CS. I have a small bit of experience coding and I really enjoy it (not something I realized as a younger person).

I would like to get into the software development by starting out in .NET. I know C/C++/C# (learned in college electives). I'm doing the self-paced training for MCTS (Exam 70-536) and would like to know, once I get my certs, what else should I do to prepare myself for and actually get a job in the field.

If real world experience is the big thing..how do I get real world experience that is going to get me a decent job. Also, how is the .NET job market?? Relocation aside, how hard is it to get a job??

Answer 1

My suggestion - start a really useful utility application, open source it, and then put it on SourceForge. That will establish your credibility, if you can build a user community around your project.

Can be anything useful - just the fact that you can point to a concrete example of how your skill is useful.... I had one fellow apply for a job with me, and he had such a thing out there, a remote control application he'd kicked off. Impressed the heck out of me.

You can get a C# job in any sizeable city in North America. It just takes persistence. Look for mid-sized companies - the bigger ones have outsourced everything, but the mid-sized companies are trying to make a name for themselves, and not just maintain code. They're more fun, and are more likely to be hiring local developers.

Answer 2

A good way to get into app development is to learn an older programming language (such as ASP/VBScript). Many companies already have infrastructure in place using these technologies, and are only beginning to move toward .NET and other platforms. The best candidates are not the ones who are wizard at the new stuff, but are reasonably proficient in both.

Try to get a part-time or entry level position as a developer while working on your certifications. Often you'll gain double the skills (while enhancing your resume with on-job experience) if you are learning and applying your education at the same time. I graduated with a degree in Business/CIS and am interviewing like crazy for ASP positions for companies making the move to .NET - they actually turn away pure .NET programmers because they never used the older scripting language.

Cheers,

Andy

Answer 3

.Net Market Is really going high day by day !!
And frankly saying it is not at all difficult.... really easy to learn
all it needs is lot of practice... and gives an additional point if u have done visual basic programming too...otherwise also its not so difficult !!!

Now a days in .Net Atlas framework is very popular which focusses on client side programming using javascript...so one can get a good job if he/sheknows that...because companies are also spending lot of money in giving training to their employees in ajax and atlas framework... so if one know this he/she can act as an asset to a company !!

Answer 4

Try...and.....visit this website:

http://www.learnvisualstudio.net

bye.....


Have fun...