Just having a moan

[abc123]

Sorry fellow PHPers but I just feel like having a moan.

Stuck at University learning a lot of stuff that I will never use again. Getting loads of courseworks to do and I know I've got these exams to revise for. If I ever use half the things I learn at Uni then I'll be very surprised.

Trying to get a summer job doing some php development so I can get experience and get my foot in the door for a career. The problem is the responses seem to be about having not enough experience. Fair point I reckon but how can I get experience if no one hires me so I can get some? There must be a way! :glare:

Did the chicken come before the egg or the egg before the chicken???

I try to fit in as much php as I can during the evening. Unforunately for me in the UK we are required to put the clocks forward 1hr today. Looks like an hour less on php for me.

Hope you enjoyed reading my moan for the day. At least most of you don't have an hour less to sleep tonight :)

Happy coding!

[dalecosp]

No, another week or so in the USA. First Sunday of April, IIRC, though it's being moved to 2nd Sunday in March for 2007.

As for interviews and experience, I can't say I'd be much help. However, it could be that the reason you're learning about so many "different" things is so you can get a job in one of several different "sub fields", as 'twere. There's lots of tech stuff, not all of it (you might joke *much* of it) in PHP programming.

You could also try doing a few "freebies" and building a portfolio . . . seems there's a fairly fresh thread about this here in the EL IIRC.

[Elizabeth]

You could also try doing a few "freebies" and building a portfolio . . . seems there's a fairly fresh thread about this here in the EL IIRC.I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with dalecosp ;)

If you can't get something directly involved with PHP, get something in the general ballpark, and then offer to do sites for family or friends or "friends of friends" for free or little cost. Surely you know someone who can use a website. And if not, try creating one on your own that is of interest to you... a hobbyist site perhaps, or something based on a topic you know about. Anything that gives you a mission is always good :)

[khendar]

I'm currently working as a PHP developer in a smallish company. When I applied for the job I had little to no actual commercial experience in PHP programming. Basically the only PHP work I had done was personal projects that I had worked on.

My suggestion is much like the previous two replies. Find some projects that interest you and do them for free or little money, that was at least you can state that you have worked on projects before and you can demonstrate the skills neccessary for the job.

There is always that Catch22 when it comes to entering an industry. People wont hire without experience and you can get experience unless someone hires you. However you'll find that once you break that cycle and get your first job, it will get much easier down the track, as you can show that you do have the experience they want.

[Jason Batten]

Question, has anyone ever had to show any code?

Or do they just click & play with applications you've made?

I could have coded an amazingly large pile of crap code by now but I haven't done anything worth while in a long time because I've been learning how to do it "right".

I don't even want a job... but seeing how other people run their business is not only interesting but it can be funny - extremely rewarding to people who want to own their own.

Also, Can some work be damaging? *looks over his shoulder at a pile of twitching code & many bad designs*

[abc123]

Well advice seems to make sense. Just frustrating trying to get started. I'll try making up some systems of my own. An idea was maybe to get a domain name so I can upload a kind of online portfolio. Can't do any harm to point them in the direction of my own personal page.

Jason - I also work hard on producing correct code. I am a complete freak when it comes to standards as I like my code to look good. Sometimes I think that it is time to stop reading the books and doing tutorials and actually just get out there and get my hands dirty with some coding.