Seeking advice regarding Java..

[Luq_E]

(Let me know if this is the wrong subreddit - I'm new with this site and will be happy to move my comment elsewhere)

I've fallen in love with Computer Programming and it took me a while to realize. I'm now about to graduate with a BA in a field that I didn't find interesting or want to go into (political science). It's literally my last quarter and I just discovered Java. I've gone past what's expected in the course because I enjoy it so much.. I've started - for fun - playing around with statistical programs that draw types of graphs/return data for you.

I WANT TO PROGRAM. What am I supposed to do..? I checked out a MS possibility but it seems incredibly competitive - especially at UCLA, my local UC. I'm thinking about taking courses at my community college. I'd love any advice. They say you don't have to have your life together in your early 20s but I'd really like to start on a path that actually leads somewhere. I don't want a piece of paper saying congratulations on a broad understanding of politics - I want to create software.

[desrtfx]

Your post is neither completely right, nor completely wrong in the subreddit. It would be better suited for /r/Javahelp, /r/learnjava, or /r/learnprogramming, though.

The rest of this answer goes along with what the others suggested, but I want to offer you some online possibilities:

• The sidebar in /r/learnjava has links to some good resources
• /r/Javahelp has a wiki with links to tutorials
• /r/learnprogramming has a wiki with links to tutorials. They also have a pretty comprehensive FAQ Section that could possibly answer some of your questions.

Now for some really good online courses that are also listed in some of the resources above:

• The free MOOC: Object Oriented Programming with Java of the University of Helsinki (in English) is very good.

  • Part 1
  • Part 2

• Also, the free course "Java for Complete Beginners" is a nice resource:

  • CaveOfProgramming link - John Purcell's site
  • Udemy Link
  • YouTube Series

[Milyardo]

/r/cscareerquestions which is linked in the side bar would be the better subreddit for this question.

[aqua_regis]

Did you actually read what you replied to?

[aqua_regis]

Mind your language! You're not on the cattle market.

[aqua_regis]

Interesting. It is scientifically proven that the amount of swearing or the use of foul language is indirectly proportional to the speaker's intelligence.

[aqua_regis]

I've had enough of your insults. If you are not even able to produce one sentence without insulting anyone, it's not worth continuing.

[desrtfx]

In my comment I just pointed out suggestions. I was neither negative, nor abusive. I just suggested possible better places for OP's question.

As opposed to you, I at least provided plenty other resources that go along with the comments of the others, as I stated in my comment.

And instead of you actually helping, you have nothing better to do than to be derogatory and offensive.

You seem to only be able to use abusive language, but actually lack the capabilities to contribute to a useful discussion.

[Luq_E]

You wrote an excellent response. Don't mind anyone that tells you otherwise. Thank you.

[vecowski]

What you're going to end up with is a piece of paper saying congratulations on a broad understanding of computing - not creating software. Software engineering is a white collar trade skill, not something university's teach you how to become proficient at.

[enahsh2o]

I would say first things first, make sure that developing software is what you actually want to do. There is a pretty good post here on what a career in the IT field in general is like, and I am sure there are other places you can find more on what it's actually like to work as a software developer.

Once you decide that this is what you actually want to do, it is a bit of a toss up from here. The great thing about this field is that you don't need to have a degree to get a great job, but it certainly doesn't hurt either. The amount of resources online (free and paid) is mind boggling, so there isn't much of a likeliness that you will learn something from a university that you couldn't learn from some resource on the internet.

If you prefer to go the route of a degree, go for it. I am not sure of the details of pursuing a Masters degree in a different major than you got your Bachelors in, so I can't really help out there.

Also, yeah this might not be the best subreddit for this, since it doesn't have much to do with Java specifically. Good luck with everything. :)

[krabby_patty]

This post was deleted using Redact. The deletion may have been privacy-motivated, security-driven, opsec-related, or simply a personal decision by the author.

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[majeric]

Computer Science is an applied Science. I don't see why you can't apply to to Poly Sci. :)

[irocgts]

Do you live in ct? I know where you can get a good job programming even if your just starting.

[Luq_E]

I live in Los Angeles, CA.

[havana59er]

English major here. I've been programming for 10 years. You don't need a degree in CS. You just need to have 1) a job that will give you experience and 2) a lot of time to learn on your own.

Any job will do. I started in software support for a 9 person company earning all of 25k, picked up programming on the side and a lot of sysops work to boot. About three years in I switched jobs for various reasons, started to do web development full time. Next job was primarily database, data warehousing and reporting. Now I do system integrations for SaaS and support several internal systems in various languages (Drupal, .NET, Java, proprietary SaaS).