To Software/Web Developers

Hello, I am currently a full-time student in "Computer Programming and Analysis" program ( link ) at Seneca College (Ontario, Canada), finishing up second year of three-year long program. The time to apply gained skills in real world is nearing, job-search pressure is growing, and some tips, information and research of the field is required.

If you are a Software or Web Developer with experience in the field of at least 3 years, and if it's not too much trouble, I would like to ask you to answer as many questions (see below) as possible, just to give me an overview of what is out there, how it's like to be a Software/Web Developer, and what is the future, employment-wise, of IT industry in general.

Thank you in advance for the replies and any information you can share.

-Serge

P.S. IT related skills I know/familiarized myself with, in no particular order: Database design, SQL, C/C++, Perl, ASP.NET, Visual Basic 6.0+, Java, HTML, Windows 98/2000, Linux/UNIX, Photoshop 6.0+

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1) What is your (real) name?

2) What is/was your most recent job position in IT field and name of the company, if any, you work(ed) for? Where is the company, or branch of the company you worked in, located?

3) How did you get your most recent job in IT? What jobs, experiences and/or qualifications have led you to that position (e.g. hard/soft skills, connections, luck, etc.)?

4) What are the educational requirements for this job?

5) Do you find the job exciting or boring? Why?

6) How would you describe the working atmosphere and the people with whom you work (e.g. communication with team mates, departments, etc.)?

7) What can you tell me about the company culture?

8) How does a person progress in this field? What is the best way to enter this occupation? What is a typical career path in Software/Web Development field?

9) Do you think that employment for Software/Web Developers will rise or fall? What skills and qualities of the employee will be valued the most?

10) What are the salary ranges for various levels in Software/Web Development field in your company? In the industry?

11) What are the typical entry-level job titles and functions? What entry-level jobs are best for learning as much as possible?

12) What kinds of experience, paid or unpaid, would you encourage for anybody pursuing a career in Software/Web Development field?

13) Can you give any other tips for a student that might help to get started in Software/Web Development?

There was a similar thread that ppl replied to... try this

Thank you, that thread is useful (I always keep forgetting that you actually have to do other things besides coding, like reports and proposals).