Career change. Programming.

[dobby240240]

I'll start with a small piece about how thankfull i am for a community such as this and for what Linus's videos have done for me. if it wasn't for his videos and the people here on this forum i wouldnt be sat here typing on my 6 month old gaming computer. (also for the friiend that showed me the way to his videos) The pc of which i am stupidly happy with as i didnt think i could build one before nor did i think i could. that aside, the point of my post.>
(please excuse spelling its been a long day)

 

After taking a gap year in the Canadian mountains and devlopiing an unhealthy obsession with moving there some day i took a course in the electrical trade with the intention of my hopes and dreams being fulfilled of moving out of this awful country. So now i am just starting my 3rd year of my apprenticeship and really starting to hate it.. severly. I love computers and i had no idea how muich uintl i realised that all of my hobbies revolve around creative software and computers at some point.

Skateboarding> Video editing

Playing Guitar> Making backing tracks on audio software.

Gaming> explanation?

I have many hobbies, Skateboarding of which recently broke my leg and dislocated my ankle which is why i sit here askling advice of the LTT community about my future in coding.

My wonderfull girlfriend said why dont you try coding because of her course she allready has a good idea about this subject. Iv been taking a do this in your own time type online uni course. Unlike Electrics and the way the trade works and how the people are Coding seems like the way forward for a career choice. Work in somthing i enjoy rather than take any old trade and get in to canada.

 

I guess my question really is Where do i start? What language do i start with? Any advice? Career advice? Any programmer puzzles and really helpfull lessons you have found online? Life as a programmer advice? Do i just quit my awful course or use that as a back up in case i screw things up? (i know the sensible thing to do would be to finish it for many reasons. (back up plan included) but with the way tech is moving forward surely there would be good prospects in the future.)

Good courses to look for? Please anything you have, Vague as you think it may be i will google loads and loads to get the best idea i can about this choice.

 

Or even if there is anyone else around that started training in somthing else and now work with computers and just wants to share thier experience please do. Anything goes in here even if you want to tell me im a god damn idiot (for a reason)

 

Lastly im 24 Y.O./Male/ and i live on the south coast of England wishing i lived in Canada.  D':

 

Thanks for your time. EDIT>::: I must add i have read other similar threads before people say this same sort of thing has been answered but i just want to know your thoughts on my situation and just to spark some ideas and conversation.

[Aytex]

to start? like newbie?

go for lua

 

or java

 

then work your way up to html/css or python and c++

[Oshino Shinobu]

For a starting language, Java would always be my recommendation. It's used in pretty much everything electronic. It also gives you an understanding of object oriented languages, which can make learning other object oriented languages, like C, C Sharp, C++ and so on much easier. Python is also a good one to start learning, though I don't think I'd want to learn it as a first language. 

[The Cool n00B]

Start with Java.

 

Then move to C#.

Then Objective-C if you want to reach platforms like Mac and/or iOS.

 

The internet uses HTML/CSS/Javascript (or jQuery). You need to know all three for a good website. Take a look at this project that I'm working on for an idea of the work that goes into it.

[hk29]

hey your still young thats a good thing.  but i would suggest educational courses. not sure about anywhere on this planet is total utopia but canada does have a lot of maple syrup. not so sure about that canadian bacon...er ham stuff.

[omniomi]

I work for a Canadian tech company (well one of the Canadian office's of an American company) and I can tell you we're having a hell of a time finding competent JavaScript developers right now. We've got lots of Java, .NET, PHP, Python, etc experts; However, we have very few people proficient in JS and while lots of our devs could learn JS it's generally easier to just hire someone who is already an expert but it's proving difficult. Everyone learns Java in school but very few people learn JavaScript and when you'r doing web UI/UX work JavaScript is often a necessity.

 

Learn a few different languages and learn enough foundation to be able to pick up new languages eaily but you might want to make sure you learn JS along the way as it may increase you chances of a finding a company to sponsor you in Canada.

 

Another option would be to attend a Canadian tech school on a student visa and make use of graduate placement opportunities which could help you find a company to help you with permanent resident status or immigration. One example would be the 2-year Computer Systems Technology program at Sask Polytech in Saskatchewan which is a well respected program in the industry and is recognised across the country.

[dobby240240]

Thanks to everyones input i truly appreciate it. i am a complete newbie yes but what you have answered me is of great help and i will be reffereing back this thread. Omni thats a massive help thank you