[nfbcs] Career Advice

[Tracy Carcione]

When I was looking for work with my programming certificate, I got an
offer from the IRS, but the salary was very low, and any programming would
have to be approved by head office in DC.  I declined the offer, and soon
got a much better one.  Even though I started at a low, trainee salary, it
was still significantly better than the IRS was offering. Though perhaps
IRS salaries are the same across the country, and only low when compared
to average New York salaries.
Tracy

> I googled tfor info on the program. A link is below. A one paragraph
> summary
> is as follows...
>
>> Program Description: The Programming curriculum prepares clients to work
> in a wide range of programming
>> environments including .NET and JAVA, and other application projects as
> well. Certification exams for JAVA and
>> Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) are offered through
>> the
> program. Some prior programming
>> experience is helpful, but not necessary to be successful in this
>> course.
> This program often offers the opportunity to get
>> a commitment for employment with the Internal Revenue Service.
>
> http://lwsb.org/index.php/general-overview/vocational-catalog/#content
>
> Wasn't it this list where we just had a huge debate about java?  I'm
> thinking java programming might be making a huge comeback in writing apps
> for mobile phones.  But I'll admit I don't really know what I'm talking
> about. I would note, however, that the link above indicates that the Lions
> web site itself is written in php, not .net or java.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
> Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 9:38 AM
> To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Career Advice
>
> Hi Daniel.
> I got a programming certificate, after I found I was going nowhere with my
> college degree.  I looked around, and found a certificate course that
> taught
> the languages employers were looking for at the time.  It was local, not
> out-of-state.
> If you do go to Lions World, try to make sure that they are teaching
> languages that will actually  be in demand.
> Learning programming was a very good move for me.  I have a secure job
> that
> pays well, and is usually interesting.  I'm not sure if the IRS job pays
> well, or is interesting.
> My brother is also a blind programmer, working for subcontractors to the
> government.  He gets paid OK, but gets laid off every few years.
> So your results may vary. But I think he'd rather be programming than
> having
> a rather dull but secure IRS job.
> HTH.
> Tracy
>
>> Hello Everyone:
>>
>> I hope this is the appropriate forum for this question.
>>
>> I am legally blind with a background in engineering and manufacturing.
>> After
>> talking with many blind engineers, I find that many of them are
>> thriving computer programmers.
>>
>> I am now trying to decide whether to go to Lions World in Little Rock
>> to take their 10 month computer programming course. My counselor at my
>> states agency for the blind wants me to go to Lions World but to take
>> one of their IRS courses, which would in essence be a guaranteed job
>> with the Feds.
>>
>> I am the type of person who could do any job, at least that is what my
>> aptitude tests tell me.
>>
>> What is life like for blind computer programmers? Do most work for
>> employers or as freelancers/contractors? Are there any languages in
>> particular I should focus on? Are there any other ways of learning
>> computer programming as a blind person than going out of state?
>> Learning on my own is just not working for me.
>>
>> Any advice you can give would be appreciated.
>>
>> Regards
>>
>> Daniel Garcia
>> Northville, MI
>>
>>
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>
>
>
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