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Is it possible to get a job with this? — Parallax Forums

Is it possible to get a job with this?

mchistimchisti Posts: 11
edited 2012-02-21 09:30 in General Discussion
I'm just a beginner who's learning, but it would be great if you could get a job with a skill like this. It's fun and then getting paid for it doesn't sound bad. If you could, what level of understanding would you need for it to be a job?

Comments

  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2012-02-18 06:40
    What sort of job?
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2012-02-18 06:56
    If you just started, it will probably take you two years to be good enough to get a job in the field.
    You need to learn:
    1: all the quirks of a pcb layout design program.
    2: proper design technic for digital vs analog ground etc.
    3: analog and RF circuits with impedance matching etc.
    4: to source the right components for the job.
    5: learning a little of 8051,msp430 assembler and mcu C code.
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2012-02-18 08:26
    You haven't said what "skill like this" is...
  • bill190bill190 Posts: 769
    edited 2012-02-18 09:16
    "skill like this"

    What is "this"?????

    Posting messages on forums?
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2012-02-18 10:00
    Posting spam, perhaps. :) People get paid for that.
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2012-02-18 10:31
    Yes, in the last year I have made a couple hundred dollars as an electronics consultant. Not enough to live on, obviously, but it is a nice source for extra money. I'm young, but I'd had 5 years experience programming and 3 years experience with the Propeller (alone) before I could get a job involving such. Keep in mind, you will have to build a (good) reputation for yourself here on the forums before most people will hire you, especially if this is just your hobby. Make some projects and show off some good design, and you'll have an easier time getting hired. The forums here have been generous enough to allow me to solicit my services via my signature and well placed forum posts, and may do the same to you if you can prove you are here for reasons other than money. Jobs are few are far between, but generally well paying. Also as a tip, if you do get hired, request a small down payment first, just to assure that the person hiring you is serious. Of the 6 jobs I've initially been hired for, I've only been paid for 2, the employer will leave about halfway through the project, or when you request payment.

    Hope this helps you,
    Microcontrolled
  • mchistimchisti Posts: 11
    edited 2012-02-20 08:54
    "A skill like this" as in know how to make circuits and have them controlled by a micro controller. Like building a robot, etc.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2012-02-20 09:28
    Well of course it is. Most of the guys and galls at Parallax have done so:)
    I've been scraping a living out of it since 1980. At that time and place one needed a degree in electronics or comp sci or such to even get going.
    However at the same time that did not stop Bill Gates quiting school and making a mint.
    And what about Apple, Jobs, Wozniack?
    All started from dinking with little micros.
  • bill190bill190 Posts: 769
    edited 2012-02-20 10:13
    mchisti wrote: »
    "A skill like this" as in know how to make circuits and have them controlled by a micro controller. Like building a robot, etc.

    If you understand electronics, there are ALL sorts of jobs out there. Just look at all the electronic gizmos out there in homes, in cars, in businesses. People need to install those and fix them. Search google.com for the following words...

    job electronic technician

    Employers will give you a test. Here is a study guide for such a test. Learn this stuff...
    http://www.bart.gov/docs/et_guide.pdf
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2012-02-20 10:30
    Heater. wrote: »
    Well of course it is. Most of the guys and galls at Parallax have done so:)
    I've been scraping a living out of it since 1980. At that time and place one needed a degree in electronics or comp sci or such to even get going.
    However at the same time that did not stop Bill Gates quiting school and making a mint.
    And what about Apple, Jobs, Wozniack?
    All started from dinking with little micros.

    While I agree with the gist of what Heater is saying I also have to point out that a great part of the success of Gates, Jobs, and Wozniack was due to being in the right place at the right time with the right products. To become that successful in this area now would be much more difficult.

    That's not to say that you cannot make a living or earn extra money designing and building electronic and micro based circuits. The difficulty is in finding employers or customers that need your services. Having a diploma or degree is a big help in getting your foot in the door, and having a good reputation and a list of satisfied customers goes a long way towards getting more work. To get started you may have to do a few projects for the price of the parts (pro bono labor) and the proviso that they will be a reference for helping you get future projects.
  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    edited 2012-02-20 12:26
    As soon as you create a quality product or service, you can make money from this. I did :)
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-02-21 09:30
    http://www.roboticsbusinessreview.com/businessnews/view/hiring-demand-for-robotics-skills-grows-44-percent

    Apparently!
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