[nfbcs] (no subject)

Wed Feb 20 16:26:46 UTC 2013

I couldn't agree more with your advice.  A 4 year B.S. degree is ABSOLUTELY a requirement.  There's a reason why a computer science major requires 36 (or more) hours (10-12 classes) of study.  It takes awhile to get your head around how tothink about the computer, how they work, etc... And, there is really that much material to learn.  And not only do you learn the computer science topics in your degree program, but you also get the math and english background you'll need for solving problems and writing you'll need to communicate.  A college education is really a must.  There is no substitute.  Also, if you're on your own, you will probably not think to study a lot of the topics you will be exposed to ... computer topics that is.   You might think .. I can get a book on programming and learn this .. but there are a LOT of fine points that you wouldn't know to study because you don't know what needs to be learned.  Bottom line .. there's a lot to learn.  The degree is the way to go.

And DO NOT listen to these technical schools that tell you ... "16 months .. get the education .. get the job".  I've seen family members try the quick fix and they got screwed - they were charged $25,000 for what amounted to a 2-year degree when they could have gotten that training for 1/4 the cost at a Junior College.  And, they didn't get the same level of education.  It's just not worth it and they're ripping people off.

Also, as pointed out, businesses look at the B.S. degree as a rite of passage - as the proof that you're qualified.  That's sound advice.  Get the degree, then the business knows you're qualified.  Where I program, you can't even walk in the door unless you don't have a degree.

---- "John G. Heim" <jheim at math.wisc.edu> wrote: 
> 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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> >>> nfbcs at nfbnet.org
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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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> >>
> >
> >
> >
> 
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