Out of a Job (Ping: Computer Programmers)

[Vince]

So as some of you might know, I started a new job last fall, as a PE Teacher at a local Elementary School. I loved the job, but recently I was told that I wouldn't be coming back next year. Apparently the district has contracted my position out to a 3rd party company, so instead of having different individually contracted PE Teachers at each school, this company is going to handle all PE in the district.

This is kind of a bummer, but I've been looking for new opportunities and I think it will be for the best (I recently came to the conclusion that I don't like having to work two jobs, and I want a single job that will support me comfortably in the bay area. Teaching will not fulfil that need at the moment). One such opportunity was presented to me through a friend, and I contacted the employer only to find out they were looking for someone with a BS/MS in Computer Science. I regretfully informed them that while I had a fair amount of undergraduate units in Computer Science, I had a degree in History. The 'fair amount' piqued their curiosity even though I didn't meet the requirements, and I'm sending in my resume next (which is exciting). The not so exciting part is that a lot of the work is in stuff I am unfamiliar with.

So basically...what would you guys who have experience in coding reccomend I study to gain a fundamental understanding of XSL/JavaScript/CSS/XML/HTML? The employer is aware that I don't have extensive knowlege, but I'm still not sure that I will be able to land the job. I'm a quick study, and I was fairly handy with C++ and Java back in the day, so if given the opportunity, I think I could succeed. However, I still need to get that opportunity, and I'd like to get the biggest jump on the job that I could.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by Vince

So basically...what would you guys who have experience in coding reccomend I study to gain a fundamental understanding of XSL/JavaScript/CSS/XML/HTML?

That's all Web Developement, and not all that hard to learn in a small amount of time. HTML and CSS is pretty easy. XML, XSL and JavaScript I don't have much experience with, though.

[Vince]

That's why I'm keeping my chin up in thinking that I could pick it up quickly. Any tips on where I could go around the internet to learn some stuff? Or perhaps a book or two I could go pick up?

[flere-imsaho]

I've always heard good things about the O'Reilly books, and back when I used to do more technical things, I definitely used them, and they were good. Bear in mind that standards change, and all that, so part of the deal is trying stuff out on your own, to learn.

[Greyroofoo]

for basic html/javascript stuff i would try www.w3schools.com

[gstelmack]

They want a BS for XSL/JavaScript/CSS/XML/HTML? You shouldn't have a hard time proving you can pick that up fairly quickly. Mostly those are topics you'll learn by doing as opposed to requiring a fairly decent academic background.