4 answers
Cooper
Student
Grundy Center, Iowa
3
Questions
Asked
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What is the easiest way to get into the Computer Science Industry at a younger age?
I am 16 I love robotics and software and I would love to get some experience in before college? #technology #computer #programming #computer-science #computer-programming
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4 answers
Dexter Arver
Senior Manager, Web Applications
234
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Dexter’s Answer
Hi Cooper,
I think the easiest way to gain programming experience is to contribute back to open source projects. Even if it's documentation, it's experience that will stay on your resume for years to come.
If you're looking for project based experience, I recommend you search for local robotics/programming clubs that maybe around. You may also want to look into volunteering at nonprofits to see if you can utilize the experience you already have to contribute back to society. Websites like catchafire.org might help you find these types of project based giving back opportunities.
Lastly, if none of these options work out, you may want to strike on your own and create projects for yourself. I remember back in high school, a friend and I made a mp3 player for windows to jump start our programming experience and learned a lot.
I wish you the best Cooper. Hopefully the above will help you get started. :)
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Dexter
I think the easiest way to gain programming experience is to contribute back to open source projects. Even if it's documentation, it's experience that will stay on your resume for years to come.
If you're looking for project based experience, I recommend you search for local robotics/programming clubs that maybe around. You may also want to look into volunteering at nonprofits to see if you can utilize the experience you already have to contribute back to society. Websites like catchafire.org might help you find these types of project based giving back opportunities.
Lastly, if none of these options work out, you may want to strike on your own and create projects for yourself. I remember back in high school, a friend and I made a mp3 player for windows to jump start our programming experience and learned a lot.
I wish you the best Cooper. Hopefully the above will help you get started. :)
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Dexter
Great advice, Dexter! So true about nonprofit work and open-source projects. We occasionally have opportunities like that ourselves at CareerVillage! Thanks for providing the Student with all of these ideas. 🙂
Alexandra Carpenter, Admin
Piotr Ławski
new product introduction
2
Answers
Łódź, Łódź Voivodeship, Poland
Updated
Piotr’s Answer
You may try to start with small automation using Arduino or even Raspberry Pi. Components are relatively chip and there is a lot documentation and tutorials in Internet. Creating small things will give you fun, experience and satisfaction.
Lance Brubaker
Cybersecurity Consultant - Experienced Associate
5
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Lance’s Answer
Hi Cooper!
I think there are a couple of great ways to get involved and start developing your technology/computer science skills! Hopefully these suggestions will help as they should be very accessible and affordable!
1.) Get a Raspberry Pi and watch tutorials on YouTube about all of the fun and interesting things you can make it do. This is my favorite suggestion because it will give you the ability to do hands-on learning and experimentation at a very low cost (Like $30-40 for a Pi and some extra money for peripherals you don't have like mouse, keyboard, mini-screen). Using the Raspberry Pi will also give you the chance to practice Linux and become familiar with that ecosystem which is very popular in the tech field! Get creative with this one :)
2.) Look into local opportunities to get involved in. This could mean local clubs that host robotics events where you could develop your skills or meet people who can help you move in the right direction, or possibly looking into courses that your school offers. An example of this being, when I was in highschool we were able to take an independent study course where we worked at the student IT help desk for our loaner laptop program. In this program we were able to help repair laptops at both a hardware and software level, giving us invaluable experience! Check your area to see if any schools are offering something like this that you could get involved in!
3.) Check out online courses, some of which are free! There are many online course websites where you can develop your coding skills, AI/Machine Learning skills, general cyber skills, etc.(Ex: Coursera, PluralSight, Masterclass, Udemy and more). Many of these website have some basic free content you can start with and if you find something you are very interested in, considering paying for one of these courses! Paid courses usually have some lab materials where you can practice the skills or practice exams if you are trying to obtain a certification. Consider asking your parents about helping you pay for access to one of these course websites, it is for your education after all!
Best of luck to you!
-Lance
I think there are a couple of great ways to get involved and start developing your technology/computer science skills! Hopefully these suggestions will help as they should be very accessible and affordable!
1.) Get a Raspberry Pi and watch tutorials on YouTube about all of the fun and interesting things you can make it do. This is my favorite suggestion because it will give you the ability to do hands-on learning and experimentation at a very low cost (Like $30-40 for a Pi and some extra money for peripherals you don't have like mouse, keyboard, mini-screen). Using the Raspberry Pi will also give you the chance to practice Linux and become familiar with that ecosystem which is very popular in the tech field! Get creative with this one :)
2.) Look into local opportunities to get involved in. This could mean local clubs that host robotics events where you could develop your skills or meet people who can help you move in the right direction, or possibly looking into courses that your school offers. An example of this being, when I was in highschool we were able to take an independent study course where we worked at the student IT help desk for our loaner laptop program. In this program we were able to help repair laptops at both a hardware and software level, giving us invaluable experience! Check your area to see if any schools are offering something like this that you could get involved in!
3.) Check out online courses, some of which are free! There are many online course websites where you can develop your coding skills, AI/Machine Learning skills, general cyber skills, etc.(Ex: Coursera, PluralSight, Masterclass, Udemy and more). Many of these website have some basic free content you can start with and if you find something you are very interested in, considering paying for one of these courses! Paid courses usually have some lab materials where you can practice the skills or practice exams if you are trying to obtain a certification. Consider asking your parents about helping you pay for access to one of these course websites, it is for your education after all!
Best of luck to you!
-Lance
Chinnakondaiah Kondula
Sr Manager
3
Answers
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Updated
Chinnakondaiah’s Answer
There are lot of articles on RPA, I would suggest you to look for them to understand conceptually. Lot YouTube videos/Udemy Tutorials available on RPA technology/leaders - Blue Prism, UiPath, Automation anywhere and offer free license for hands on experience.