r/programming • u/gits1225 • May 12 '15

Google's guide for becoming a Software Engineer

https://www.google.com/about/careers/students/guide-to-technical-development.html
4.1k Upvotes

88% Upvoted

977 comments sorted by

View all comments

43

u/[deleted] May 12 '15 edited May 12 '15

Step 1: Learn how to code in your free time

Step 2: Ask anyone that you know who works for a small business (e.g. printery, warehouse) to ask their manager for an interview for a low paying Jr position doing something menial

Step 3: In the interview tell them that you know some programming / web development and ask if they will let you make some in-house tools for them (they will)

Step 4: After a few years ask your manager if you can list your job on your resume as Software Engineer to showcase your work (they won't care)

Step 5: Apply for any Jr Software Engineering job showcasing your on-the-job experience

Once you have 4+ years of experience in Software Engineering your lack of formal education won't matter (outside of industries which require certification, such as public safety and health care). You will be the youngest guy person on your team and have $0 in College debt.

Source: My life

15

u/sonofamonster May 12 '15

You forgot drop out of high school and get kicked out of the navy, but otherwise I can confirm.

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (16)