Posted by Jerry Stuckle on 01/08/08 13:54

LayneMitch via WebmasterKB.com wrote:
> Jerry Stuckle wrote:
>
>> Good luck. You'll need to walk before you can run. No one (in their
>> right mind, anyway) is going to hire a company with no proven experience.
>>
>>> So that's what I'm asking. Like in addition to those languages used for
>>> web/database development, what languages would I need to learn to develop a
>>> database like the one my employer has?
>> Any of these will work. But you'll need experience. I've been
>> consulting since 1990. But before that I had 13 years of experience with
>> IBM to show. Even then, the first few jobs were hard. With no
>> experience, you're not going to get much for jobs. And certainly not
>> something like you're talking, which is critical to their business.
>>
>> I'm not trying to scare you off. I just don't want you to have
>> unrealistic hopes.
>
> Thanks for your expertise and opinions.
>
> I realize that I have to crawl before I walk. I have a vision for my future
> and my motivation and vision is what is going to carry me to my goals.
>
> Honestly, not to overlook your credentials and years of expertise, but it was
> your choice to spend 13 years with IBM before you began consulting. Your
> companies success has to do with your team, vision, connections, and ability
> to sell your services. The first and the latter would be the most important...
> team and sales. I've known web/database developers that started off
> consulting with smaller to mid range companies and evolved to working with
> larger companies within 5-7 years. And I personally don't like the mindset
> that you have to spend 10-13 years of your life working for someone before
> you can branch out and establish your own company. That mindset is what they
> teach you in college and it sucks.
>

That could be true. But in the consulting business, experience rules.
For instance, all else being the same, would you rather take your car to
someone with 10 years of experience, or someone who studied auto manuals
in his spare time and just opened a shop? I suspect it would be the
experienced guy.

Now, what if the experienced guy charged $75/hr. and the new guy $50/hr?
You might be tempted to try the new guy. But what if your vehicle is
critical to your work - and your job depends on it? Would you still be
willing to take a chance on the new guy? Probably less likely. Some
things are worth the extra money.

> It is definitely possible for me to do the same immediately after building a
> foundation in Computer Science. It's all about how quickly you apply it to
> your goals.
>

That's a lofty goal, and I'm not at all trying to throw water on it.
But you have to also realize you have competition out there - a lot of
it. And they have something you don't have - experience and a proven
track record. It counts even more in consulting than auto repair.

Now, that's not saying you can't get started. For instance, I know some
web developers who basically got a start with little experience. But
web development is a little different, and people are more willing to
take a chance. Most sites are not very expensive to build, and the
client isn't out that much.

But even then it's hard to get started. You can start with some
non-profit organizations, for instance, and build a portfolio. Now you
have something to show prospective clients.

However, this has gotten way off topic for c.l.p. I recommend you get
some suggestions from alt.computer.consultants.moderated. Not a very
active group, but several experienced consultants monitor it.

> But anyhow, thanks for the throwing the languages at me, I will definitely
> look into those.
>


--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attglobal.net
==================

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