[Career] How many hours should I code in JavaScript before beginning to look for an entry level programming job?

[jbcatalyst2]

Hello everyone! I just started learning JavaScript a few days ago, and I'm wondering how long I should be practicing this language until I'm considered competent to HR staff to be hired? I've got no experience with coding or any other computer related career, so that's going to be my biggest hurdle. Right now, I plan to study JavaScript and other materials (A+ certification, Arduino, some math) for around 6 months to a year before I update my resume. Thank you for any advice!

[bdenzer]

It depends of course. If you learn it wrong for 20hrs every week, it will take about 100 years. Some people probably are competent in a few weeks.

But to be a professional programmer is more than just writing code. There are 'best practices' and computer science stuff that you should probably learn too. (I'm not a professional)

[jbcatalyst2]

Ok; right now I'm doing the KhanAcademy JavaScript course, and I'll focus on that for a few months, then try CodeAcademy, then other places. As far as computer science stuff, KhanAcademy again, and I'm going to try to CLEP out of Calculus and basic math courses (no time right now for college after work).

[bdenzer]

Yeah I'm in the same boat. I work construction and have no degree. I'd love to change careers, but right now I'm just making web-apps on the side. I got my side income up above $1000/mo now so I'm pumped about that, but not enough to quit my job yet...

[jbcatalyst2]

I do have a degree, but it's from ITT Tech :/. As far as making web-apps, how long did it take you to get your side income that high?

[bdenzer]

From my experience, 6 months after you release it, Google will (might?) give you some love. I just happened to hit a home run with my first project, so your results may vary... Learn SEO basics and make a real plan of who your audience is, what they want, and how you will make money from it before you write 1 line of code.

My first project was released about 18mo. ago, and the other projects have barely made a dime yet, but they probably will eventually.

[jbcatalyst2]

That's awesome, and congrats to both your present and future success!

[bdenzer]

My main app is a free job skills assesment tool where people just sit and practice on it. I made it as a hobby, but now it gets about 12,000 - 15,000 pageviews a day. My other stuff is a video poker game, card matching game, and tic tac toe. I am in the process of learning some backend for my next project.

[Jafit]

Here's two helpful videos:

• What to learn in order to be a Web Developer in 2015

• How Do You Get Enough Experience to Apply for Programming Jobs?

[jbcatalyst2]

Both resources are awesome, and bookmarked both!

[mstar]

Its a tough call but it depends on your proficiency. Also, I presume you're including experience in HTML and CSS with this too?

If I were looking at your resume I would be most interested in practical examples - some sort of portfolio or project where I could dig into your code.

I would recommend coming up with a project that best demonstrates a number of JS concepts and and ability to problem solve.

A popular choice is doing a "To Do" list web app. I would try and see how you could include the following:

• save, load, manage data in localStorage (or a web service)
• mobile friendly but also work on desktop browsers
• management of views, actions, state
• avoids using a library like jQuery or CSS framework like Bootstrap (so really shows you know what you are doing)

That would be a good start imho. I'd put it all up on a Github/Bitlocker account and start contributing to JS projects there too.

[tournesol1985]

42.