If you were starting over, what would you do?

[Geoff3]

Hello everyone! I decided I need to get a well paid, fun, creative job I can do anywhere in the world and not break my back, so I decided on becoming a programmer. I have an interest in transport, AI and security. I am applying for an MSc in Computer Science. The course is based on C++, however , I know there is more to programming than this. I have heard of all sorts of languages.

My question to you all is this...

From your experience, what would you recommend a newbie to do, and to avoid, on the journey in professional programming.

Thanks

[Computergeek01]

The first thing I would recommend is to move this thread to the lounge where it belongs :p.

[Nezar]

O_o

[ResidentBiscuit]

Don't waste time learning a language for the sake of learning a language. Learn a language enough to make something, then make something.

[codekiddy]

no offense but, I would recommend you to stick with transport you mentioned.

[z05DSL3A]

From your experience, what would you recommend a newbie to do, and to avoid, on the journey in professional programming.

When you say '...so I decided on becoming a programmer...' I would ask you to describe what you believe the job of programmer entails.

[htirwin]

If I were starting over, I would learn statistics and probability earlier on, and in more depth. I would say that is especially good advice for you based on the fields you want to go into.

[Ganado]

Hey htirwin, any books on statistics or probability that you would recommend from experience? Or did you learn mostly from just the internet?

[3hM2Nwbp]

If I could start over, I would get a college degree that actually matters while gaining a professional network. You can be the greatest self taught programmer in history and green college grads still have the drop on you.

Get a degree while you still can.