[milf]

I'm currently using Hillegass' Cocoa Programming for Mac OS X to teach myself application development under a different platform. Of course I'll always be able to develop applications for my own personal use, but I'm wondering how to get my foot in the door at the professional level. As with everything in the job world, the circle of impossibility applies: "You need experience to get a job, but you need that job to get experience".

I'm curious to know from those who develop applications at the professional level, either with Apple or a renowned Macintosh development company, how they got their start. For the most part, I don't know of many universities that teach Objective-C, the Cocoa interface, and the other tools used to develop for the Macintosh, so I'm assuming most started with a book, just as I am.

How would you suggest getting that foot in the door, not necessarily with software development, but just in general. Is the best way to just start developing applications and hope you get recognized for your talent? Should I fly to Cupertino and parade around Apple with "Hire Me, please!" signs? ???

[TimmyDee51]

I think the first question I would ask myself is where I am in life. I'm a college student, so something like a campus rep would be helpful to get my foot in the door. If you're not, you might want to look at opportunities with MUGs and maybe other, smaller companies. I'm not a professional, so I don't really know, but those are some thoughts.

[absmiths]

You could always contribute to Darwin - that way you could write code for Apple without getting paid! That would probably fit pretty well with Steve-o's hippie sensibilities.

As a software engineer the onus is pretty much on you to learn what you need. Once you have a job, however, companies are usually good about training you for the next thing, E.G., the 'Renowned Shops' for Mac development more than likely paid to have their developers trained in Cocoa/Carbon. It's easier to train someone to use a new language than to replace one member of a functioning team.

Also, you had better at least say you have a working knowledge of C/C++ (and also Java), plus good coding practices (design patterns, etc). If you have the stomache for it you should also be comfortable with Windows technologies.

Of course you could just say "Circle of Impossibility" and that might get you in...

[milf]

You could always contribute to Darwin - that way you could write code for Apple without getting paid! That would probably fit pretty well with Steve-o's hippie sensibilities.

This is a good idea and good development here I'm sure would not go unnoticed.

Also, you had better at least say you have a working knowledge of C/C++ (and also Java), plus good coding practices (design patterns, etc). If you have the stomache for it you should also be comfortable with Windows technologies.

Yes, yes, yes, and yes. I'm currently a C/C++ software developer for a big-named company. I'm learning more as I go along. I'm sure there is plenty that I have learned here that could be applied to Cocoa development, etc.

you might want to look at opportunities with MUGs and maybe other, smaller companies

Good idea. I'll just have to keep my eyes open for future opportunities and maybe I'll actually fit the bill for one or two.

[bens1901]

Originally posted by milf:

I'm curious to know from those who develop applications at the professional level, either with Apple or a renowned Macintosh development company, how they got their start...How would you suggest getting that foot in the door, not necessarily with software development, but just in general. Is the best way to just start developing applications and hope you get recognized for your talent? Should I fly to Cupertino and parade around Apple with "Hire Me, please!" signs? ???

Several years ago I worked at Apple as a Software Engineer. I started there while I was still in college. My first position was as an intern...swapping hard drives in machines and doing simple system support. The people there were very happy to show me new things and give me opportunities to assist other teams with their stuff. After a few months I had enough experience with the programming team that I made the move into software engineering. My advice: get into Apple any way you can. The people are great and will help you expand your horizons.

Good luck.