Returning to programming

[SimonPendragon]

hello folks,

I was a programmer (PL/1) a few years ago before taking up teaching(mathematics) in England - a big mistake ! - now I'm "testing the waters" for a return to programming - I would be grateful for any help no matter how small...

My desire is to work from home,(I CAN'T STAND corporate environments,)perhaps contract work....

I noticed that VB and Java were recommended on another thread..... What skills should I learn ? What types of markets are there out there ? how should I proceed ? any suggestions ?

Thanks
SimonPendragon

 

[techwriter56]

PL/1 is not used much, I would learn C/C++, learn object oriented design and dev. Frankly in the US this is the worst time to consider programming. Also working from home is not possible in the US - I know because I have tried it
and it is harder than getting a good job (which is also hard). Getting contracts is easier because the bastards are
too cheap to pay medical insurance. Pay is half what it used to be a year ago. My last contract I got $60 in sacramento which is great pay. Now I would be lucky to get
$30.

 

[dwmatteson]

techwriter56's position is supported further by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics's Occupational Outlook Handbook. Here's a link to the entry for programmers:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos110.htm

For what it's worth, the handbook predicts some of the fastest growth in databases and networking; just like the trade publications say. (See

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos042.htm

and

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos268.htm.)

Don

 

[SimonPendragon]

Thanks for the replies folks !

Simon