Learning and creating your own web applications

I have noticed that some ASD folk think you need special education or a degree in Computer Science to learn programming. In reality there are alternatives. The web is rife with tutorials on how to learn various programming languages and where to go to get free tools to build them. Keep in mind that you will be judged on what you produce as much as how you produce it. Some programming shops are sticklers for knowing and operating with the theoretical frameworks taught in school. These too can be learned and used outside of a classroom environment (start with Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software) and then look for articles and blogs on the web that mention design patterns.

If you are partial towards Microsoft, or looking for a place to start check out this article from Geeks in Phoenix: http://www.geeksinphoenix.com/blog/post/2011/06/25/Creating-web-apps-and-websites-for-free-with-Microsoft-Web-Platform.aspx. It gives a general overview of what is available from Microsoft to give you a leg up in your quest to learn more and show off what you can do.

Add your projects into your career portfolio and mention them on your LinkedIn account, web site and resume. It will show ambition and self learning; two items that are prized by employers everywhere.

Social Media: LinkedIn Tips

For those of you with a LinkedIn account here is a list of 10 tips that help increase the success and impact of your LinkedIn Account when doing a job search.

http://blog.linkedin.com/2009/04/02/ten-tips-to-enhance-your-job-search-on-linkedin/

Using social media in your job search

I will probably devote a few posts to social media in your job search so I think it makes sense to first list out the places I think you should start or curate your social presence.

You should have, at the least, an account with:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Facebook
• And a personal website

And make sure there is nothing embarrassing or unprofessional on any of these. Something outing you as to being on the ASD Spectrum is up to you but make sure the pictures of you pretending to be RollerGirl from Boogie Nights are removed.