MAMEWorld Forums - The Loony Bin

Lots of great advice in the replies so far.

Just a couple of things I'd like to add:

(1). If it is work / career you are primarily focused on, search through job ads in the technical areas (games, business systems development, systems programming, web development, app development, and so on) that you are most interested in and see what the most popular languages / tools are. Everything is moving to the web, so there is going to be a lot of overlap between areas, and the core skills are increasingly web development.

(2). Pick an area to start in based on what you like and what you find out in item (1). e.g. one language and a database management system. And come up to speed on that. Otherwise if you try and cover too much too soon, you could become paralyzed by the complexity / scope. The "Teach Yourself ..." books can be a great way to get started. As can be videos on YouTube, and "how to" guides on the net. Once you've become skilled in one programming language, it is relatively easy to pick up a 2nd and a 3rd.

(3). If you aren't working in IT as a career yet or in a career where you can practice your skills, then create your own project. Pick something you really want to do. A game ? An application ? Whatever you like. You might like to start with your user requirements - mock-ups of screens, business rules, validation rules, functionality, etc. Then, if you want, prepare a technical specification of the modules, etc that will make up your system. Then develop and test the system. If you can do this, you have gone through the core parts of the "Systems Development Lifecycle", and you can show selected parts of your work at job interviews. Employers will appreciate this and it may just give you the edge over other applicants !

(4). Never - NEVER - stop learning and adding new skills. Always be on the lookout for new, trendy niche markets - if you can get in early, you can gain some very marketable and lucrative skills that may set you up for life. When you are working in your career, find out what the people down the corridor are doing / using, and if it interests you, ask to borrow their manuals, course material, or whatever, and work through these after hours. Then see if you can help them on a project so you can get some real experience. Employers LOVE people who do this.

(5). Most important of all - find something that really boils your kettle and do this. Work hard. Keep learning. If it is something you love doing, you'll never "work" a day in your life.

I wish you all the very best !