[nfbcs] (no subject)

Wed Feb 20 15:29:18 UTC 2013

Are you asking for advice on what kind of computer science program to 
get into? Have you been offered the opportunity to get into one of these 
programs many states have to teach blind people computer programming? 
Because I think you are going to have a very hard time getting a job as 
a programmer without either a degree or a lot of experience.  I wouldn't 
say its totally impossible but darn near it. Very few companies would 
even let you pay them to work on their computers unless you have proven 
skills. You wouldn't  let a self-taught doctor operate on you, would you?

There is a huge amount of competition even for the jobs that just 
require an Associate Degree. Any job that doesn't even require an 
Associate Degree is going to have bzillions of applicants. In fact, I 
doubt there even are such jobs. I hate to be so negative but I don't 
think you can get a job just by teaching yourself programming even if 
you are really good. You have to have some way to document that you know 
what you are doing or you are going to have a very, very hard time 
finding a job.

IMO, the major benefit of the state-run programs is that then you are 
already in the system and they can find you a position at some place as 
an affirmative action hire.  Don't knock it -- anything to get your foot 
in the door works.

But if you can swing it, I highly recommend a BS degree or better. There 
will be a lot of people who tell you it doesn't matter but they're 
wrong. First of all, it opens a lot of doors that would otherwise be 
closed. Secondly, programming is a tough job in one particular way -- 
every few years the paradigm changes completely and you have to relearn 
everything you ever knew. But the basic understanding of computers and 
how they work you get at a university makes that much, much easier. 
You'd think having to relearn everything every 5 to 10 years favors the 
self-taught but it doesn't. Most self-taught people know how to make 
something work but they don't necessarily know why.

On 2/19/2013 6:19 PM, Zeeshan Khan wrote:
> Thanks Denise for that link.
>
>   Currently, my focus in on learning how to program and getting a general
> understanding of what computer science is. Are you a programmer? if so ,
> what kind of programming do you do? How did you pick it up? and how long
> did it take you to become a good programmer to get a job.
>
> Thanks,
> Zeeshan
>
> On Tue, Feb 19, 2013 at 4:35 AM, Dr. Denise M Robinson
> <deniserob at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> Zeeshan
>> Here is a start--just open link and read
>> How can you program if you're blind? Answered
>> Here<
>> http://www.yourtechvision.com/content/how-can-you-program-if-youre-blind-answered-here
>>>
>> Denise
>>
>> On Mon, Feb 18, 2013 at 11:08 PM, Zeeshan Khan <zeek786 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I am trying to learn programming and I am an absolute beginner. As a
>>> legally blind person I want to ask you all if anyone has learned
>>> programming and computer science as a blind person. The things is I have
>>> already gotten my  degree in economics about 3 years ago, so I am not
>> sure
>>> if I am too late to the field. So how did any of you learn computer
>>> science/  programming? What resources did you use? how long did it take
>> you
>>> to become a decent programmer, or at least good enough to land a job? I
>> am
>>> not trying to go back to school and get a Bachelors as it own't really
>> help
>>> me, plus I don't have the time as I am working. I really want to learn
>>> computer science as I am looking to make a career change, and the future
>> is
>>> in technology. I am aware of many online resources, like codecademy,
>>> coursera and other free things online, but not sure if I should get into
>>> these, as I lack a foundation in computer science. What is the job market
>>> like , in your opinion?
>>>
>>> I really look forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences,
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Zeeshan Khan
>>>
>>> ToiBooks
>>> www.toibooks.com
>>> http://www.facebook.com/ToiBooks
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>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> *Dr Denise*
>>
>> Denise M. Robinson, TVI, Ph.D.
>> CEO, TechVision, LLC
>> Specialist in Technology/Training/Teaching for blind/low vision
>> 423-573-6413
>>
>> Website with hundreds of informational articles & lessons on PC, Office
>> products, Mac, iPad/iTools and more, all done with
>> keystrokes: www.yourtechvision.com
>>
>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
>> doing it." --Chinese Proverb
>>
>> Computers are incredibly fast, accurate, and stupid: humans are incredibly
>> slow, inaccurate and brilliant; together they are powerful beyond
>> imagination.
>> --Albert Einstein
>>
>> It's kind of fun to do the impossible.
>> --Walt Disney
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>
>
>