"How, exactly, does one get 2 - 3 years professional programming experience when you can't get a professional programming job without experience?!?"

Submitted by: Andrew Egerton

Answered by: Mark Marion (lead programmer, Sierra On-Line)

"You beg. :-) Here's what I did:

"When I moved to Seattle, I pulled out the phone book, and called computer consulting companies. A little company called Working Systems (the last one in the phone book!) wanted to meet me that very day, as one of their programmers had just left. So I drove over, we talked, and they hired me on the spot (mostly since I offered to work for little pay to gain experience).

"Maybe it will work for you. Good luck!"

Editor's note: Several other Sierra programmers echoed this response, citing a variety of early entry-level positions with low-end wages for unknown companies. The common thread was to work for less than anyone with experience, and to sound enthusiastic about the concept while interviewing. They also all agreed that it was worth it in the long run... :-)

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