Chances of being a software engineer?

[+virtorio MVC]

See him again next year I guess.

[Tuskd]

Yes, you can be a software engineer. Yes, you can work as a software engineer at Google (and lot of other companies too). No, it doesn't matter that you got arrested because it is now expunged.

What are your skills? Do you know any programming languages? What are your area of interests? Big companies like Google work on a LOT of things. If you can tell us what you already know, then we can work towards which department in Google will be suitable for you. Even, if you don't know much, we can help you to get the necessary skills and then you can apply for a job at Google.
 

 

To others: We don't know what situation this person is in. May not be the right time for jokes or sarcastic comments.

[fusi0n]

I bet he writes his code in all caps with his attitude. 

[sc302 Veteran]

Let’s see if I can post something that makes sense to you.  In no way shape or form am I saying that it is an absolute no, so get that through your head before continuing. 

 

You are entering what is a highly competitive market, this means lots of competition. If you are good at what you do, you will get hired.  If you show good communication and troubleshooting skills you will get hired. If you go in just wanting a job you will not get hired. 

 

In summary, as everyone else has said, if you are good at what you do, you will get hired. It is up to you to figure that out. In no way is this saying you can’t. It all comes down to how you apply yourself and what you have learned. 

[Astra.Xtreme]

Let's back up and I'll ask what's perhaps the most important question.  Do you have an engineering degree?  If so, is it a 4-year degree from an accredited university?

 

If you answer "no" to either of those questions, I think you'll have a very hard time getting hired as a software engineer.  If you don't have an engineering degree, you'll need some extremely impressive personal projects to talk about on your resume to have a shot at getting an interview.  It's not impossible, but you'll absolutely have to shine more than the people that have degrees to lean on.

 

I believe the huge dev companies like Apple and Google hire most engineers from Ivy league and top-tier schools, so your chance of working for them is very slim unless you have those credentials.  Though my advice would be to seek out a smaller company that's a market leader in their product line(s).  You'll be treated way better, have a better chance of actually owning projects you work on and being noticed, and have a better chance of promotion.  Plus a small company that's a market leader and is financially successful is much more fun to work for and you won't have to deal with as much stress of a company that struggles.

[RolloofTheNorm]

20 minutes ago, sc302 said:

Let’s see if I can post something that makes sense to you.  In no way shape or form am I saying that it is an absolute no, so get that through your head before continuing. 

 

You are entering what is a highly competitive market, this means lots of competition. If you are good at what you do, you will get hired.  If you show good communication and troubleshooting skills you will get hired. If you go in just wanting a job you will not get hired. 

 

In summary, as everyone else has said, if you are good at what you do, you will get hired. It is up to you to figure that out. In no way is this saying you can’t. It all comes down to how you apply yourself and what you have learned. 

Well as you just said its a highly competitive market so why would an employer choose me over someone who doesn't have a record? Secondly, the college that I'm going to isn't some big target school and not even close to being on the same level as Caltech. Stanford, MIT, or any of the Claremont colleges so I doubt a company like Google is gonna wanna hire me straight out of college.

[Tuskd]

6 minutes ago, RolloofTheNorm said:

Well as you just said its a highly competitive market so why would an employer choose me over someone who doesn't have a record? Secondly, the college that I'm going to isn't some big target school and not even close to being on the same level as Caltech. Stanford, MIT, or any of the Claremont colleges so I doubt a company like Google is gonna wanna hire me straight out of college.

Why don't ask that question yourself. "why would an employer choose me?" What is different about you that others don't have?

Companies like Google seek talent. They don't care which college you attend.

[fusi0n]

13 minutes ago, RolloofTheNorm said:

Well as you just said its a highly competitive market so why would an employer choose me over someone who doesn't have a record? Secondly, the college that I'm going to isn't some big target school and not even close to being on the same level as Caltech. Stanford, MIT, or any of the Claremont colleges so I doubt a company like Google is gonna wanna hire me straight out of college.

It seems all you like to do is argue? Perhaps you can get a law degree? If you're just going to argue with us, get in contact with a job recruiter and ask them. 

[RolloofTheNorm]

2 minutes ago, Tuskd said:

Why don't ask that question yourself. "why would an employer choose me?" What is different about you that others don't have?

Companies like Google seek talent. They don't care which college you attend.

Well then I'm going to say this then. Since you put it that way even I can have all the skills in the world (currently I known how to write in C++. not the greatest at it) and a company like Google isn't gonna hire me now that I have a record. Don't you need a security clearance to work for Google? Once again why would pick some person with a record when to them I'll be viewed as the scum of the earth?

[sc302 Veteran]

21 minutes ago, RolloofTheNorm said:

Well as you just said its a highly competitive market so why would an employer choose me over someone who doesn't have a record? Secondly, the college that I'm going to isn't some big target school and not even close to being on the same level as Caltech. Stanford, MIT, or any of the Claremont colleges so I doubt a company like Google is gonna wanna hire me straight out of college.

You have to make it so that they do choose you.  Having an attitude of can't will never work.  Google is looking for talent, but very specific talent.  I wouldn't suggest shooting for the stars at first.  My brother works at google, he says that they get 1 million applicants for the internship each year.  1 million applicants.... google gets their pick of the litter, they can be choosy of who they want to bring on board.  I have tried and failed to get in as I am too much of a generalist, I haven't even made it in to talk to anyone.  Best I got from google is a thanks but no thanks.  But thanks to him, I did get to raid the google fridges in NY.

 

FYI, Google is a dream job.  You are lucky if you get an interview with people.  You want to get into Google, you have to be the best of the best...and even then, that might not be enough.

[fusi0n]

You'll be better learning python, java, and other mobile friendly\REST API friendly languages. C++ is dying off. 

[adrynalyne]

7 hours ago, RolloofTheNorm said:

Ok, but won't my record still prevent me from getting a software engineering regardless of the skills I have?

You don’t have a record from your own words which is why nobody has said a thing. A dismissed charge is not a conviction, yo. 

[adrynalyne]

31 minutes ago, RolloofTheNorm said:

Well then I'm going to say this then. Since you put it that way even I can have all the skills in the world (currently I known how to write in C++. not the greatest at it) and a company like Google isn't gonna hire me now that I have a record. Don't you need a security clearance to work for Google? Once again why would pick some person with a record when to them I'll be viewed as the scum of the earth?

With your attitude, McDonald’s isn’t going to hire you. Your “record” is the least of your worries at this point. 

 

Seriously, all you want to do is argue and fight. Time for everyone in this thread to move along. 

[RolloofTheNorm]

31 minutes ago, sc302 said:

You have to make it so that they do choose you.  Having an attitude of can't will never work.  Google is looking for talent, but very specific talent.  I wouldn't suggest shooting for the stars at first.  My brother works at google, he says that they get 1 million applicants for the internship each year.  1 million applicants.... google gets their pick of the litter, they can be choosy of who they want to bring on board.  I have tried and failed to get in as I am too much of a generalist, I haven't even made it in to talk to anyone.  Best I got from google is a thanks but no thanks.  But thanks to him, I did get to raid the google fridges in NY.

 

FYI, Google is a dream job.  You are lucky if you get an interview with people.  You want to get into Google, you have to be the best of the best...and even then, that might not be enough.

So in other word chances of working at Google isn't a guarantee?

[sc302 Veteran]

23 minutes ago, RolloofTheNorm said:

So in other word chances of working at Google isn't a guarantee?

There are no guarantees one way or another. 

 

With that specific company, the probability is low without being very very good at your profession.  The pilots that fly the exec around are certified in multiple air craft, even their chefs in their kitchens are top quality gourmet chefs , the food is pretty amazing and accurately cooked (they check every piece of meat for proper temperature prior to serving).  It would be safe to assume that there is a minimum of 100k people from the entire world applying for the same job you are.  Smaller companies are more regional, google is world wide....so you literally competing with the entire globe for that 1 position that may be open.  Getting into Google is about the same probability as becoming a TV or Movie star, only a slightly better chance than winning the lottery.  People do get hired there, people do win the lottery, and people do become movie/TV stars...so there is a chance with low probability....it doesn't matter too much if you know someone there or not.

[adrynalyne]

2 hours ago, Brys said:

I knew i read something similar some time ago... I should have bothered to check.

Ah, me too. I guess I had enough faith in people still that I didn’t bother to research the source. 

[jnelsoninjax]

10 hours ago, RolloofTheNorm said:

I'm a 23 yr old US citizen and want to become a software engineer. I have one issue though. Two years ago I got arrested for a misdemeanor, but I wasn't convicted of it and it later was expunged. What are my chances of being a software engineer?

expunge (ĭk-spŭnjˈ)

►

v.

To erase or strike out: "I have corrected some factual slips, expunged some repetitions” ( Kenneth Tynan).

v.

To eliminate completely; annihilate. See Synonyms at erase.

 

So you have no worries about your (former) conviction as it was removed. If you have a degree in software engineering, then you should have nothing preventing from getting a job. Like the others here have said just try, contact a recruiter, try social media, LinkedIn, FB ,etc.

[shockz]

It's a misdemeanor. lol. That's also been expunged. It's a non-issue. You're overreacting, you'd be overreacting if it wasn't expunged even. You're not a felon. The only thing I've ever saw cause issues under a misdemeanor is drunk driving/drug convictions... or shoplifting, regardless... expunged for you, whatever it was. Since it's expunged you don't even have to indicate it on any application forms. 

 

The thing that's going to prevent you from getting your job appears to be people skills. Work on that. If you're getting denied jobs after interviews, it's not your criminal record that's been expunged. It's... something... else.

 

You're also probably better off interning somewhere to establish contacts and a resume, A full time software job, for an established company usually requires some sort of experience. Internships are common and a popular way for people just out of college to get their foot in the door for their particular career. Many companies provide Developer I offers on most of their college graduated interns.

Edited June 26, 2018 by shockz

[+Biscuits Brown MVC]

Well, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I do in fact work for a Fortune 10 company and have interviewed and recommended (and not recommended) dozens of developers for multiple positions over the years. We aren't as big as Apple but we are bigger than Amazon so that should narrow down the list a bit.  An expunged misdemeanor charge is just not a factor. What IS important is what you know and what you can do. That's it.  Of all the candidates I've interviewed, I've hired software engineers with B.S. and Master's Degrees as well as 2 year Associate degrees (and even a few with no degrees). I don't care how many books you've read, papers you have maybe plagiarized or lectures you've slept through.  I want to know what languages and frameworks are you proficient with, what tools have you used. What have been difficult problems you've been tasked with finding a solution for and what were your final decisions. I want to know how you solve problems, provide solutions, explain your thoughts and work with others.  

 

To this end, the OP hasn't offered much to answer the questions I'd have in considering him/her for a position.  What little that HAS been shared isn't encouraging. 

[Jub]

I sense trolling. No one else does?

[RolloofTheNorm]

38 minutes ago, shockz said:

It's a misdemeanor. lol. That's also been expunged. It's a non-issue. You're overreacting, you'd be overreacting if it wasn't expunged even. You're not a felon. The only thing I've ever saw cause issues under a misdemeanor is drunk driving/drug convictions... or shoplifting, regardless... expunged for you, whatever it was. Since it's expunged you don't even have to indicate it on any application forms. 

 

The thing that's going to prevent you from getting your job appears to be people skills. Work on that. If you're getting denied jobs after interviews, it's not your criminal record that's been expunged. It's... something... else.

 

You're also probably better off interning somewhere to establish contacts and a resume, A full time software job, for an established company usually requires some sort of experience. Internships are common and a popular way for people just out of college to get their foot in the door for their particular career. Many companies provide Developer I offers on most of their college graduated interns.

well how come people on reddit told me otherwise about getting a software job?

[+Biscuits Brown MVC]

1 minute ago, RolloofTheNorm said:

well how come people on reddit told me otherwise about getting a software job?

Why don't you just apply for a job and see what happens?  If I had a candidate who make decisions based on opinions on Reddit (or Neowin for that matter), I'd say they are starting off on the wrong foot from day one. Where have you applied? Have you been turned down? Why did they reject your application?  Once again, you provide no details regarding your experience, your abilities or your realistic short term goals.  Demonstrate some abilities other than lack of confidence in yourself. It's almost as if you are looking for the opposite of the original question.

 

It's starting to feel to me as if you have no marketable skills, apply for jobs you aren't qualified for then come to places like here and Reddit looking for reassurance that the problem isn't your lack of skills but rather this insignificant expunged misdemeanor. 

 

 

[shockz]

23 minutes ago, RolloofTheNorm said:

well how come people on reddit told me otherwise about getting a software job?

I have no idea. And are you referring to an expunged misdemeanor or actual experience? Or Both?

 

Around here though you won't get a FT job without previous experience that comes with at least internships or equivalent experience. It does happen occasionally if you're a coding god, or can cite multiple projects/samples of code you've developed that are well thought out and of high quality (and no, a capstone sample doesn't count). But usually, just as with anywhere, it's the chicken and the egg problem where well established companies want some sort of past experience (or evidence that you're of a higher caliber and can jump right into complex projects.. i.e providing coding samples/projects as mentioned previously) before coming on FT. They all want fresh college graduates, with the latest and greatest educations, but they'll probably start you off as an intern and have you prove yourself (including professional etiquette... i.e attitude and personality skills) before giving you real responsibilities and a full time job with benefits. 

Edited June 26, 2018 by shockz

[Dysphoria]

2 hours ago, RolloofTheNorm said:

Well as you just said its a highly competitive market so why would an employer choose me over someone who doesn't have a record? Secondly, the college that I'm going to isn't some big target school and not even close to being on the same level as Caltech. Stanford, MIT, or any of the Claremont colleges so I doubt a company like Google is gonna wanna hire me straight out of college.

So based on your answer you've already set yourself on a path for mediocrity, so to save you time and money... go and study something else... your chances are getting slimmer and slimmer, more I read this thread.

[RolloofTheNorm]

6 minutes ago, Zag L. said:

Why don't you just apply for a job and see what happens?  If I had a candidate who make decisions based on opinions on Reddit (or Neowin for that matter), I'd say they are starting off on the wrong foot from day one. Where have you applied? Have you been turned down? Why did they reject your application?  Once again, you provide no details regarding your experience, your abilities or your realistic short term goals.  Demonstrate some abilities other than lack of confidence in yourself. It's almost as if you are looking for the opposite of the original question.

 

It's starting to feel to me as if you have no marketable skills, apply for jobs you aren't qualified for then come to places like here and Reddit looking for reassurance that the problem isn't your lack of skills but rather this insignificant expunged misdemeanor. 

 

 

Well I haven't applied to any software jobs as I'm still in college. Secondly, People on Reddit basically told me that I have no chance whatsoever so idk what to believe. Thirdly I have no work experience  maybe because I have a record.