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Mobile Developers

Rollhard

Rollhard

Lurker
Guys, I am really interested in going to school to become a mobile developer. My question is where did you guys go and is it really necessary to get my Bachelors of Science to get started working in this industry? I have been really looking into Full Sail Universities online Mobile Developer program. I'm uneasy about the expense of school without feeling confident that the one i choose is a good university. So if anyone can let me know what they did or recommend a school would be great. :D
 
First let me say I cannot recommend any school as I have not went to one.

I can say that you probably need to be more specific. Are you wanting to learn how to do the hardware? or the Software? or both? Why limit yourself to just mobile phones why not look into an Engineering degree? Maybe make future devices

If you more for the making of ROMS and KERNELS then just go on XDA and check out the tutorials they have.
 
Thank you argedion. I am limiting myself to mobile phones because that is what i am mostly interested in. I think the software is my main focus developing roms and applications for android and ios. I was hoping to get hired to develop apps but i need to learn java and C languages and linux too. I just found out tonight that Kaplan University will accept me if i want to enroll. plus in my area the salaries are in the $75-$90,000/ year range for android application developers so that is important too. I am on xda too, that's how i got started customizing my X10. I love my X10 but I can't wait for the new Xperia ion to come out. that is my next phone!!! thanks again.
 
I would go for programming, and learn that. When you have the fundamentals, you can apply that to pretty much any language. Most android is done with Java I believe, and most use Eclipse. I think Apple's iOS using Objective C or something like that....

Plus, if you get a degree in programming that is not specific to mobile markets, you could also do work for other markets.... just my 2 cents.
 
In my experience and the companies/people I've work with/for, they generally don't care about the degree or if you even have one. One of the first questions they ask me is, "Where's your portfolio? What can you do?" They want to see things I can do.

Some they don't care what the degree is in, but it helps get the job. It shows things like discipline.

Ultimately, imo, make experience your first skill and a degree your second.
 
I'm going to give exactly the opposite advice. Without a degree you're going to have to work twice as hard.

Given two candidates with similar experience, but one has a degree and the other doesn't, the latter won't even be considered. Without a degree, you HAVE to have something that makes you stand out from the rest.

If you don't have the experience, you better be one charming mofo, and I'm talking 10 times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres. Even then, that'll only help if you're able to get an interview.
 
Rollhard said:
Guys, I am really interested in going to school to become a mobile developer. My question is where did you guys go and is it really necessary to get my Bachelors of Science to get started working in this industry? I have been really looking into Full Sail Universities online Mobile Developer program. I'm uneasy about the expense of school without feeling confident that the one i choose is a good university. So if anyone can let me know what they did or recommend a school would be great. :D
Click to expand...


I recently got my B.S in Computer Science. I would recommend getting a Computer Science degree. It will help you across all languages. At my university they offer mobil development class so you can learn languages for Android or IPhone's. My cap stone class they made you use a mobil device for your class project. Let me warn you, some of the classes you need to take for Computer Science is very tough reason why there is low graduates for the degree.
 
Mobile is a medium or platform (you don't learn it, you target it)

Programming is a skill or discipline (this is what you learn)

So basically 9to5cynic nailed it. A lot of answers here were good too. As you can tell the whole "do I get a degree thing is subjective. Some people will tell you it's required, and others wont.

The truth is hiring managers are just about as evenly split as those in this thread. For some, experience is 100% of the criteria, for others, formal training is important.

All of them think experience is important though. So when/if you go to school be sure to work on some fun side projects you are passionate about. Not only will this help you learn, it will give you something to show and talk about in interviews. And it can be loads of fun.

Finally it's important to point out the development focused disciplines are more thn just "programmer"

The most common are usually:

- Software Architect (plans out systems, doesnt write much code)

- Engineer (similar to above, sometimes writes the code to implement the system)

- Programmer (writes code, sometimes from plans from a Engineer or Software Architect, other times without plans "engineering" the system on their own. (This is the most common title, popular with Agile/Extreme Programing management styles)

- Code Monkey (this is the 20-somethings that companies like to hire for cheap who's mistakes the rest of us have to fix ;) :p )
 
I forgot to add it can be smart to target a more general aspect of cell phones + the back end.

Like my Dad, he just has an accounting degree.
But also learned the back end computer side of things and programing.

he is now the go to guy for the schools and colleges local making $5-700hr.

He doesn't just know how to keep the computer systems going, he understands the needs and use of the programs. More so since allot of schools still use Novell Netware [local company] that no school teaches anymore ;)
 
350X said:
Novell Netware [local company] that no school teaches anymore ;)
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I thought Novell discontinued NetWare in favor of SuSE (which I believe they've scrapped that and they use another Linux distro now (also made by them)). Personally I've used several Novell products. NetWare was actually a good secure server, if configured right. But the theory of 'configured right' goes for just about everything. I hear their latest server OS is pretty awesome. And I'm not sure what you mean by 'local company', last time I checked they are still a worldwide company.

btw, openSUSE is still supported by Novell, but is based out of Germany.

Sorry for the sidetrack...
 
Everyone has good input once you get a degree or while your working on it I recommend doing some intern work. While it can be hard to get in the door especially without experience companies are always looking for free interns. It will give you experience, both in your field to show an employer and personal to learn what the business is like and it can also lead to a job offer from the company you are doing your internship if they like your work and you become a valuable asset.
 
Working as you go and school together are a powerful combination.

If you're not applying yourself as you go along, school becomes an exercise in short term grades. While many believe that this is a path to success, in general, those types become incapable of effective design.

If you're not going to school as you go along, you are doomed to reinventing the wheel and / or picking up erroneous theories from others. While many believe that they find success this way, the truth is that most build a skills ceiling for themselves without knowing it.

Never learn the tricks of the trade, learn the trade.

Dedicate yourself to your craft, that's what employers respond to. Looking at whether they want degrees or not is looking at shadow, not substance.

These are simply my opinions. By the way, I taught undergraduate-level programming for years, and have hired more programmers in my day than most. So, I admit to being biased here. Because of the clean up I've had to do and programmers I have had to fire for incompetence, I believe I am right despite my biases. ;)

Best luck and cheers! :)
 
Wow, I'm surprised I didn't see this thread sooner. @Rollhard I've been enrolled at Full Sail for the last 5-6 months in the Mobile Development program. It's an awesome school that's always willing to help with whatever you need. Just be aware it's not a simple or easy program.

Each class last one month, instead of having 4 classes at the same time per semester. My first four classes went in this order.

1. Creative Writing (The easiest class I've had.)
2. Mobile Media Design 1 (A hard class if you don't have much experience with Photoshop. In this class I was spending around 30 hours every week on homework.)
3. Art History (Not all that hard.)
4. Mobile Media Design 2 (Another tough one.)

This month I'm in Finite Math, which is by far the toughest math class I've ever taken. The program is great, and will really teach you all of the fundamentals you will need to become a mobile developer. Sure you could teach yourself the same set of skills, but why not do it at a college, and earn a degree while learning.

I would highly recommend this program to anyone wanting to work in this career field.
 
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