<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Ron:</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">When I started learning Perl, I was
new not only to Perl but to Unix and Linux. Perl opened the gates to many
technologies and taught me the importance of learning concepts rather than
products.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">When I learned to do Perl CGI, I learnt
HTTP protocol and MIME and then something else, one door led to another
and so on. Some people are frustrated by the quest. To me the quest was
more interesting than arriving somewhere. For fear of being at the
receiving end of a RTFM, I immersed myself in documentation and there is
plenty of it.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">For a start I would be active in mailing
lists. I would contribute to projects, I would learn OO and Perl modules,
pick up a number of Perl books from O'Reilly, in fact their Perl Bookshelf
is an excellent resource and it is available on their Safari site too.
By asking good questions (unlike some "I want a script. Give me one")
as well as contribute answers.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Fearlessly download and experiment with
different modules. It is surprising how creative you can get when there
is a free flow of information and software.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">BTW, dont miss the next YAPC, wherever
that is. It is an excellent forum to learn and exchange knowledge. I was
at YAPC 1999 and 19100 (yes, year 2000) . Oh what fun that was, being
in the company of great Perl minds.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Welcome aboard and enjoy!</font>
<br>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">__________________________________________<br>
Ranga Nathan / CSG<br>
Systems Programmer - Specialist; Technical Services; <br>
BAX Global Inc. Irvine-California<br>
Tel: 714-442-7591 Fax: 714-442-2840<br>
</font>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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<td width=40%><font size=1 face="sans-serif"><b>Ron Smith <geeksatlarge@yahoo.com></b>
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<br>
<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Sent by: losangeles-pm-bounces+rnathan=baxglobal.com@pm.org</font>
<p><font size=1 face="sans-serif">05/05/2006 01:43 PM</font>
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<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">To</font></div>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">losangeles-pm@mail.pm.org</font>
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<td>
<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">cc</font></div>
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<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Subject</font></div>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">[LA.pm] Next step for a newbie</font></table>
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<br>
<br><font size=2><tt>Hi all,<br>
<br>
I need advice on my next move. I'm relatively new to<br>
Perl and programming in general but have written a<br>
few useful programs, over the past year or so, that<br>
actually have been used on the job.<br>
<br>
I'd like to make a career change to full-time<br>
programming but need advice on what areas I need to<br>
focus on in order to land an entry-level position.<br>
Mainly, I'd like to know what skill-level I should be<br>
at and what's usually expected by an employer. Working<br>
with web pages seems to be the most fun to me but I'll<br>
take on any project offered.<br>
<br>
Right now I'm in formal classes for Perl, Java, C/C++<br>
and the rest. Also, I was wondering how critical a<br>
degree is for programming or is it possible to get<br>
started while you're working toward an AS/BS ...etc?<br>
<br>
Any and all input would be appreciated.<br>
<br>
<br>
Ron Smith<br>
geeksatlarge@yahoo.com<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
Losangeles-pm mailing list<br>
Losangeles-pm@pm.org<br>
http://mail.pm.org/mailman/listinfo/losangeles-pm<br>
</tt></font>
<br>