Being involved extremely intimately with computers these days is almost a sure thing that you will be able to find employment. Having good experience with PHP actually assures you of employment. It’s strange how the demand for good computer skills has become what it has. I guess the word “strange” was not the best selection, but the reason I used it is because everyone knew this was going to happen and I just assumed that thousands of students would take the time to embrace the opportunity and create themselves a skill set relying heavily on something computer related. Even if this is the case, there’s still a massive cry for technical skills.
I have been involved with computers from the age of 6 where I started writing batch file menus to execute my games with a few key presses and this evolved into a complete addiction to computers – Yes, I am addicted, I’m not sure I could go more than a day without checking my email, sending a tweet or updating my blog. Since I started developing web systems in PHP, the world has opened up for me and it’s this one language which has put me in the position I am in now.
My PHP knowledge coupled with winning the SA Blog Award for best Tech blog, I’ve found myself in a position of high demand. Since winning the blog award, I can comfortably say that I receive at least one call a day from various web agencies and recruitment agencies offering me work, from smaller agencies to larger agencies such as IOL, 24.com and today I received a call from Ogilvy asking whether I was interested in working for them – No, these aren’t all because I have the letters PHP on my CV, but because of my wide spread of computer based knowledge. In fact, in every 2 calls I get, only 1 is PHP related, the other positions range from Online Marketing Manager jobs to Project Management jobs, it’s quite scary in fact to know that the bit of publicity I received from the blog award has placed me in such an incredibly industry recognised position.
Unfortunately, or in my eyes.. fortunately, I am happy in my current position as Operations Manager at FormFunction. It’s flattering to receive job offers on a constant basis, but I must admit that it’s a lot nicer knowing that I’m comfortably employed at a thriving web application development company.
Anyway, this is something I wanted to blog about for quite some time now, more as a motivational or inspirational piece than anything else, just to show maybe a few uncertain people what the possibilities are in industry.
Good for you! When I was young the only computer available was an abacus. If there is one thing I would love to learn then it is PHP. I tried my hand on a book or two just to give me an idea. Well maybe I did not try hard enough, but it was a little beyond me. Maybe I should try again.
Good to know you are wanted.
Awesome stuff man! It’s great to hear you’ve gotten some good out of the SA Blog Awards :)
@Rustig – You should take some time to learn the language bud, it’s really not too complicated. The hardest part is getting apache and mysql setup, but this can be handled with wamp or xxamp which do it all for you. Learning the basics are not too tricky, but if you don’t have any programming experience, then I guess it would take a bit longer from an understanding-the-point point of view.
@Miggs – Thanks mate, ye, I’m happy where I am working, but felt I would share the experiences hopefully to inspire other bloggers to put lots of effort it :)
I may try again. I only want to have enough knowledge to know where to put little bits of code. PHP5 for Dummies will do the trick!
Sorry about the double post yesterday.
No worries about double post, it’s my fault, I’m not locking or clearing the form :/
Give it a bash, but I would suggest that you get the mindset where you know that you aren’t in a rush.. just take things really slowly. I have a mate overseas who I am great friends with and over the past year or so he’s slowly learnt bits and pieces as well as me sending him little samples of code, etc. He’s now able to read the code pretty easily and is getting into being able to code. It’s taken a year of slowly but surely learning the basics and it’s paid off :)
Feel free to ask any questions mate!
I’m not quite so sure why you’re so happy (mm, perhaps you need more work) but I know better than to question it ;)
Let’s hope our new starters are as passionate..
It’s a two sided thing basically. Firstly, it’s lovely to know that the blog awards open up opportunities such as this and secondly, it’s a lovely feeling to know that industry has recognised you as being skilled.
More work.. are you crazy!?
Passion is key, they’ll not have a choice ;)
You’re so sought after because not only do you have such a good skill set, you work so bloody hard too (mmmm not having time to see girlfriend or friends sounding familiar?? ;) )
*busted*
I do my best, you know this :)
P.s. Don’t forget drinks tonight, you’re my date!
On the topic of blogging opening up employment opportunities:
This is vacancy currently available at PaddyPower (bookies) over on this side of the world.
Just shows you the direction and possibilities there are these days as to obtaining a job simply by being a good blogger!
Bloggers Wanted
Are you a financial blogger – or want to be a financial spread betting
blogger – interested in discussing stories about assets trades: (the
good, the bad and the ugly) and other areas of interest to financial
spread bettors?
You may have your own blog or you may take part in discussions on
other blogs or forums.
You must be passionate about the financial markets; particularly
equities or individual shares in the UK and Irish markets. Writing
experience and a keen sense of humour are needed.
You don’t need to be a blogging expert, but you should understand
blogs and know how to make comments and add hyperlinks.
Possible areas of interest:
• Equities
• Indices
• Forex
• Commodities
• Economic indicators
• Stock broking fundamentals
• Education
Contact us, indicating your area of interest or expertise and include
a paragraph or more about your experience or the reason you would like
to get involved.
We will provide you with useful and valuable tools and information.
The site is already up and running. We also pay a non-commission based
competitive basic salary.
So if you think you have what it takes. Email the following
information to blogs@paddypower.com
• Your Full Name
• Email Address
• Phone
• Country
• Region
• Area of Expertise
• Your Blog URL if you have one – otherwise a sample of your writing
• 2-4 paragraphs about what you’ve done before
• Anthing else you think is relevant
Ah, that’s pretty wicked dude, I know a couple peeps that side of the world who read my blog, let’s hope they pop in and read it!