Peter Norvig wrote an essay that you might find useful, "Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years." [1] Don't be put off by the timespan, apply what you find us

Peter Norvig wrote an essay that you might find useful, "Teach Yourself Programming in Ten Years." [1] Don't be put off by the timespan, apply what you find useful. One tip, clipped from the article, itself clipped from somewhere else: ""the most effective learning requires a well-defined task with an appropriate difficulty level for the particular individual, informative feedback, and opportunities for repetition and corrections of errors." I've found volunteering a useful way to enter a professional environment where I'm not yet comfortable being paid for my output. Find people doing what you want to do, and offer to help. [1] http://norvig.com/21-days.html http://norvig.com/21-days.html