Reading this makes me realize that I'm not insane to believe that I'm one skill away from being a legendary web developer. I've got a senior level skill set fluent in front and back-end development and technologies. I'm self taught/learned on the job and can do the whole kit and caboodle except for Flash. I just haven't had the bloody time to sit down and learn it.
But I can definitely assert that there is a massive shortage of even remotely qualified php web developers in SoCal, even entry level.
For one, I'm hounded nonstop by recruiters, to the point I had to get a dedicated voicemail to handle their calls. It doesn't matter that I have a job, they try to buy me out, or beg me to find someone for them. It's not just one or two, I've had at least 50 calls or emails asking me to help them find someone if I wont humor the position myself. Pitiful begging, even.
For two, I myself have been desperately trying to find an entry/mid-level php developer with front-end skills for months now. My HR can't find anyone remotely competent, recruiters have done nothing for us, I've even tried all my social networks. Everyone with the skills has a job.
And don't get me wrong, I would prefer someone entry level, looking to get their feet wet, who can learn and be trained. I'm very clear that our only requirements are a good understanding of PHP5, XHTML, JS, CSS2. That things like MySQL, AJAX/JSON, RSS, Zend Framework, or even an understanding of OOP and MVC are pluses, but not requirements. These are very basic expectations for LAMP development. Still, no luck. We've had two people make it to interview.:\
I mean it's good for me, being an employees market. I've had salary offers for twice my current pay right now (I'm staying because it's a personal favor to the owner for a set amount of time). But it sure sucks in that I can't get any help around here.
All around there's a massive demand and not enough supply. I suspect a lot of it has to do that the college educated kids aren't learning PHP in schools, and the dropouts find that freelancing doesn't pay enough to support the cost of living anymore out here. There's just not enough influx of new PHP developers to support the existing industry. And the industry has been taken very seriously since PHP5 and is growing at a tremendous rate.
...I would almost suggest that you save your money, quit school, and get a job. Work experience is starting to vastly outweigh the benefits of a piece of paper.
Otherwise, I would agree with any previous recommendations of: Russian, Hindi, Japanese, or Mandarin.
In the interim, are we going to have to suffer another argument from the astronomers about what constitutes a planet once ours gets a black hole at its core?
Slashdot Mirror
Your coding styles are both pretty.
You're doing it right. :)
Reading this makes me realize that I'm not insane to believe that I'm one skill away from being a legendary web developer. I've got a senior level skill set fluent in front and back-end development and technologies. I'm self taught/learned on the job and can do the whole kit and caboodle except for Flash. I just haven't had the bloody time to sit down and learn it.
But I can definitely assert that there is a massive shortage of even remotely qualified php web developers in SoCal, even entry level.
For one, I'm hounded nonstop by recruiters, to the point I had to get a dedicated voicemail to handle their calls. It doesn't matter that I have a job, they try to buy me out, or beg me to find someone for them. It's not just one or two, I've had at least 50 calls or emails asking me to help them find someone if I wont humor the position myself. Pitiful begging, even.
For two, I myself have been desperately trying to find an entry/mid-level php developer with front-end skills for months now. My HR can't find anyone remotely competent, recruiters have done nothing for us, I've even tried all my social networks. Everyone with the skills has a job.
And don't get me wrong, I would prefer someone entry level, looking to get their feet wet, who can learn and be trained. I'm very clear that our only requirements are a good understanding of PHP5, XHTML, JS, CSS2. That things like MySQL, AJAX/JSON, RSS, Zend Framework, or even an understanding of OOP and MVC are pluses, but not requirements. These are very basic expectations for LAMP development. Still, no luck. We've had two people make it to interview. :\
I mean it's good for me, being an employees market. I've had salary offers for twice my current pay right now (I'm staying because it's a personal favor to the owner for a set amount of time). But it sure sucks in that I can't get any help around here.
All around there's a massive demand and not enough supply. I suspect a lot of it has to do that the college educated kids aren't learning PHP in schools, and the dropouts find that freelancing doesn't pay enough to support the cost of living anymore out here. There's just not enough influx of new PHP developers to support the existing industry. And the industry has been taken very seriously since PHP5 and is growing at a tremendous rate.
...I would almost suggest that you save your money, quit school, and get a job. Work experience is starting to vastly outweigh the benefits of a piece of paper.
Otherwise, I would agree with any previous recommendations of: Russian, Hindi, Japanese, or Mandarin.
WTF?
In the interim, are we going to have to suffer another argument from the astronomers about what constitutes a planet once ours gets a black hole at its core?
The Mongolians encouraged religious debate and diversity, so it's no surprise to find Jews in China by the 13th century.