What to focus on
I was lucky. I had an obscene obsession with computers since I have been little. This lead me to programming at an early age and set me up for my career. You are probably not as lucky. Maybe only just starting your programming skills at University. Not much time to do anything but party and study, the washing a couple times in the weekend, repeat.
Well if you want to succeed, and you do, and you want to succeed quickly, you also want that, then you are going to have to do more than everyone else. I suggest first on focusing on something outside of your University studies. Get a taste and some experience in a technology that they aren’t teaching you at Uni. Learn something that the industry isn’t saturated with. One that I learnt from an early age is Flash and Actionscript.
My very first job in Wellington in the IT world was with Actionscript. I had a friend at University (this could get messy with details so I’ll keep it simple, understand tho nothing ever is simple) who didn’t continue his studies and got a job early. A colleague at his work required someone who could code in Actionscript. My friend remembered I was able and passed on my number. Within a couple days I had a job (one that I didn’t seek out, it sought me out) and was earning DECENT money as a contractor.
It was a bit scary at first but after my code went live and the feedback was nothing but positive I was stoked. Not only was I paid a decent amount but I had a nice big juicy paragraph to put into my CV. Work History! References!
My next job was again in the IT industry and it was a little better. I had work experience with Actionscript now, which meant I could push for a job in that field. I found one on SJS and quickly got the position after the interview. A bit of confidence, a bit of experience and a reference is all it takes.
This doesn’t hold true for all technologies though. There are a lot of people who can write HTML or CSS (possibly php), a few Java. Not many know Actionscript, in fact I still struggle to know anyone who can code in AScript. The company I work for had a small project requiring a bit of actionscripting and we couldn’t find a contractor. I had to step up to the plate and do it. Which wasn’t ideal as I have way too much to do as it is.
My point is this. Find something that nobody else knows, learn it. Learn it well. Crucially tell people you know it! Everyone, your freinds, your family, they are all your sales team. If they know you know Action..something, you will get a mention next time someone asks for a coder.