best comp sci or programming certs to get, after a B.A.?

So my sibling is graduating next year with a B.A. in History, with a minor in Comp Sci (some programming, web programming etc). I have read that computer certificates even without a comp sci major or a masters can lead to employment in tech jobs which are in demand now. It may be a matter of following one's passion in some subjects but having a day job to earn income in tech jobs. We are both quite young, and he just got out of his teens.

In your opinion, which certs or certificates would be best, and which taken online? I should add that both my sib and I have been on computers since early childhood, starting with kiddy educational games, so we are both comfortable with computers.

I would appreciate any opinions or leads. We can see the awful economy looming ahead for at least the next few years- as the donkey and the elephant battle it out, probably knock each other unconscious, and then admit they still don't have a clue LOL
Must maintain sense of humor in order to get by!

 

For programming/Web development, certificates are almost worthless. If he was going into security or network administration, then certificates would be important.

For a new programmer/web developer today, what is CRITICAL is to have a portfolio online where you can show your work to a perspective employer. The portfolio will have links to (or at least screenshots of) web applications that they have built. If the person is a mobile app developer, links to their apps in the Google or Apple App Store will work too.

 

If you are new, how do you develop this portfolio? Put in projects that you have done for school? Build some apps just for demonstration purposes?

 

Yes. School projects, and especially personal interest projects are helpful. It is basically to demonstrate that you are competent with the technology. I've known people who had nothing but school and personal projects in their portfolio (fairly extensive projects) that got interviews at major companies where one of the big topics of discussion were those projects.

Also, doing projects for businesses started by friends and family is good too.

 

mcjon77 is on the dot about Software Programming field, maybe because Georgetown University alumni. lol

Anyway, you can always develop a website with with all your free software applications that you have developed. A Master degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering would help with your continue education.

 

Thanks to all who replied. Your information and suggestions are very helpful.

I also wondered whether, if applying for a comp sci masters, if one has an undergrad comp sci minor, or some self taught computer skills, is there any type of comp sci masters that would be basic enough or have intro classes on fundamentals included, to allow for filling in any gaps? That is, can one jump from a non comp sci major right into the masters, if a student were willing to work hard?

 

Most of the schools require at least relate major. In your case with Computer Science minor, not to worry about it.

I would recommend these schools for Master of Science in Computer Science:
- Columbia University
- Stanford University
- University of Southern California
- Southern Methodist University

Remember these schools are expensive, and they all require GRE for admission.

 

Programmers should program. I know it sounds dumb, but you don't need a certificate to be a programmer. What you need is some work practicing your craft in whatever language(s) you choose. Find a Church, Boy Scout Troop, Old Folks Home and offer your services. Program software to help with paperwork, time clock, web applications for signing up for Church/Boy Scout activities, etc. Go to the myriad of open source projects out there and start contributing like at SourceForge.Net.

Maybe not right away while you are perfecting your craft, but you need some business skills. You'll likely end up working for some sort of business doing coding. Knowing how your applications benefit the entire business is of great benefit to an employer.

Math, logic, math and while you are at learn some common and most used OO languages, etc.

It's hard work with lots of competition.

 

Eons ago I did a school software & hardware project that was a multi-fluid automated vending system. That design got me a good job doing software & hardware design engineering work.

 

Thank you so very much, Tekman and Registered User, for the thoughtful and excellent suggestions.

I appreciate your taking the time to post answers, and we will follow up on these suggestions.

 

Tell your brother to open an account on Github, find projects he is interested in, and start working on them. Hiring managers (like me) love seeing young programmers who are contributors to open-source projects - it shows a real passion for the craft. Also, to work on github, your brother will learn git, which he should do anyway...:cool2:

 

The Stanford MS Computer Science program recommends the following courses or their equivalents:

CS103 (Mathematical Foundations of Computing)
CS106A/B or CS106X (Programming Methodology and Abstractions)
CS107 (Computer Organization and Systems)
CS108 (Object-Oriented Systems Design)
CS110 (Principles of Computer Systems)

The Extension School recommends the following coursework at the graduate level for their ALM in IT with a software engineering concentration:

CSCI E-50a Introduction to Computer Science Using Java 1
CSCI E-50b Introduction to Computer Science Using Java 2
CSCI E-119 Data Structures

In my opinion, if one has an interest in programming and they have minored in computer science then they should just start programming with a goal in mind such as creating a mobile app, working on a personal project for enjoyment or projects for friends and family that is not time critical. Programming can be an arduous road especially if the fundamentals are not understood.

 

Thank you so very much, Sauron, Fortunato,Bobby Jim, for your helpful and detailed suggestions. You can be sure that we will pursue these leads.