Ask HN: How do I make programming my job?

[FuManJew]

I have introduced myself to programming with MATLAB, Python, and Java at work but my job doesn't require me to advance my skills in programming. I want a job that challenges me to program constantly and continue learning. What can I do to get in the field and build my resume?

If I know basic programming and have a BS in physics/astronomy would it be possible to find a 60k+ job? Thanks for any advice.

[johnnyn]

Build something and start contributing to the open source community. Once you have some work out there, I bet you will be able to find a programming job. A lot of great companies don't pay attention to your degree, they will just want good problem solvers who can learn quickly.

[FuManJew]

Thanks johnnyn. Any more advice of where I can go to contribute to the open source community?

[johnnyn]

Github is your friend. Create an account and put some of your code on there (outside of work of course ;) ). I'm sure you could come up some a neat Matlab or Python tool to build.

[leeny]

What do you mean by "basic programming"? What do you know already? What are you capable of building? I ask for more details because you may already have enough skills for find an entry-level engineering gig. A physics degree, in particular, bodes very well.

[FuManJew]

I have completed two undergrad Intro to Programming courses with Java. I am able to perform 3D data processing in MATLAB, and so far I've used Python to make a wrapper which controls another program as a subprocess. I'm not sure if that gives you an idea of my abilities/knowledge.

[leeny]

Shoot me an email (contact info in profile) if you think you'd like to give interviewing a shot. Who knows, you might know more than you think!

[rmATinnovafy]

For every one line of code you type, write 10 lines about how, why, and where you wrote it.

Rinse and repeat.