Entry level programming job titles?

I've been doing desktop support type jobs for the last 15 years or so. Recent health issues have changed my life considerably and I find myself limited either to part-time work, or work that can be accomplished either remotely, or outside of normal work hours. Finding part-time desktop support jobs is increasingly proving to be like scratching in the dirt for diamonds.

I learned a number of computer languages in high school and college, but never really had much use for it outside of classes. The classes gave me fundamentals with a couple examples but always left me with little inspiration, and I never really found a need for code in my personal life. I just don't have the "passion" for programming some have, but I enjoy the process of finding problems with a process and correcting it. I've studied Pascal, COBOL, Assembly, Java, C++, and others, so I have a good understanding of coding methodology but not much practical experience.

I'm thinking that a programming position would allow more flexibility for working from home or working odd hours. I'd like to give it a try for a job, but I really don't know what I should be looking for. I've looked up "junior developer" but those seem to require programming experience. Should I consider my fairly old yet substantial classes in various languages "experience"?

Do you use those languages in any meaningful ways recently? If given a project would you know where to start? How to plan and design it? Do you have current chunks of code on some place like GITHUB? Do you use any of those languages in your day to day job?

Like most things work "experience" for a thing typically does not mean some intro class 15-20 years ago.

modi123 said:

Do you use those languages in any meaningful ways recently?

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As I said, I don't have a "passion" for programming and I haven't found a need for it in my personal life. I do understand how to use it to accomplish work-related tasks, but desktop support is usually not a role that has any opportunities for automating tasks apart from the occasional basic scripting.

If given a project would you know where to start? How to plan and design it?

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No idea. I've been doing desktop support for 15 years. I haven't been given a programming assignment since college.

Do you have current chunks of code on some place like GITHUB?

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Again, no. I thought I made this clear.

Do you use any of those languages in your day to day job?

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Desktop. Support.

Frankly, I feel like you barely read my post, since you asked questions I already answered and you didn't offer a single idea for a job title. Let me try again: I've never had a programming job, but I'm trained in several languages. I've worked in non-programming IT positions for 15 years. I want to break into programming. What kind of job should I look for?

No.. I most certainly read your post. Perhaps I was beating too far around the bush with courtesy by using the questions to help you gauge if you are "ready" for a programming job (even entry level).

In that light let me be blunt - no, you are not ready and there is no magical title. You may parlay some desktop support skill to something, but frankly you have zero.. ZERO.. programming experience, usable knowledge, or skills above the average meat sack. There is no title to match "missing current skills, experience, or drive but wants a job". Even then to bring you up to speed, teach you the wild world of programming, etc would not be a remote thing. Most likely in the office all the time.

You may be better off sniffing around a sys-admin-ish job.. I mean there is at least some transferable skill set.

modi123 said:

In that light let me be blunt - no, you are not ready and there is no magical title. You may parlay some desktop support skill to something, but frankly you have zero.. ZERO.. programming experience, usable knowledge, or skills above the average meat sack.

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Wow. You're one of those infrastructure guys I occasionally bump into. Bye.

Where did the indignation come in? You didn't like the self realization encouragement so straight up I guess it is.

You have no applicable skills outside of having used a PC, right? That's what I gather from when you said you haven't programmed because you don't need to, don't care for it, etc. Seems reasonable to bundle that into "no skill set" summation. Am I wrong?

Applying for a job with no reasonable parlay of skills - even junior positions - is a futile effort. Using your existing skill set I would figure you would be better off in a remote call center, sys admin, or hells bells even a QA tester.

modi123 said:

You have no applicable skills outside of having used a PC, right? That's what I gather from when you said you haven't programmed because you don't need to, don't care for it, etc.

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I listed off just some of the languages in which I've had classes which involved constructing programs to accomplish simple tasks. Your "average meat sack" comment is nothing but an insult and demonstrates that you don't think anyone who isn't a weaponized autist with code should be in the business. I specifically asked for positions where I could go in at entry-level and earn the experience that I don't have. You didn't even try suggesting anything. Basically "stay out, keep doing your own thing noob". If you can't see how you're coming off then you're not the kind of person from whom I need advice.

My goodness.. look sport, your languages listed would have been relevant if you have actually used them or applied them in any fashion. Don't get pissy with me that experience comes with using the tools and not from letting them rust away. There is no elitism but just plain old fact. Maybe go get an associates degree in programming so you are brought up to speed and actually have put something down. That would be relevant experience from the last twenty years. Maybe a co-op or learning annex.

If you can't understand how not having any experience - at any level - in the sector you arbitrarily want a job in leads to it being rough at finding a job then.. well.. that's a certain level of entitlement I can't help.

Outside of an internship most, if not all, places are not going to be your life coach or teacher, but expect you to have a reasonable standard of knowledge.. not 20+ year old unused knowledge. It simply doesn't work that way in the IT sector or elsewhere as far as I know.

I gave you alternative areas that would work and you could dove tail your desktop support experience in.

Found a far more civil and constructive answer here: http://www.kegel.com/academy/getting-hired.html