Starting in programming

I am trying to move into the programing end of the IT business now
I have a few years experince help desk and roll outs, but the job market near me is virtually 0
I started going back to school at University of Phoenix and I am roughly a junoir. I just finished Java I and II and I was wondering if there is anything I can do to get a job doing that. Is it a good idea to start writing random programs to build up some sort of portfolio. Also, is Java the best language to learn and what other languages would be good
Right now in school we are beginning the database portion

There really is no 'best language' to learn. Learning Java or C/C++ will give you a strong foundation in programming concepts, however.

It all depends on what you want to develop. Desktop applications? Web applications? Operating systems? Imbedded code in hardware/chips? What are you most interested in? Let your education be guided by your interests. You will know better what education to pursue once you know what career you want to pursue.

I am not sure what I want to go in to
I always liked creating things I would like to do some sort of application or just making front ends

If that's the case, I would continue learning Java - esp J2SE - as well as begin learning C/C++. If applications development is what you're interested in, those are the languages you'll want to learn.

My intro to programming had some C in it and I have taken a C++ course years ago, I found them pretty interesting
How would I go about advertising myself for programming jobs

monster.com or careerbuilder.com are both good. I've found jobs through local listings in the newspaper and online. Another good way to job hunt is to visit websites of companies you think you'd like to work for, and look for job openings, or just send your resume via their online contact information. If you're good, you'll get hired.