Where can an experienced programmer use his/her skills while learning on university?

Question

I feel experienced in high level programming languages and run some Java and C# hobby projects already. My question is, where can such a person use the given skills to make something useful for the community and/or gain some financial profit from the knownledge acquired?
Let's say I (or the given person) is truly experienced, knows much more than what (will be) teached on university and knows the language from top to bottom, so shortly, truly not a beginner.

Answer 1

Make a algorithm/website/app in your spare time. Wait till it goes viral, make your own company, quit school, and make millions. Heard of a guy named Mark Elliot Zuckerberg?

Answer 2

@Magyar
Sorry, I don't have any good answers for you. Just try too program somthing you like yourself, and not try to make somthing you think people will like. Maybe you can get an teaching assistant job at your university if you want to make some cash 😉

Answer 3

a good possibility is to find some other students which are interested in programming and found a student programming group. furthermore you can participate with this group on international cups, like the RoboCup. I participate there every year in the logistics league. you improve your skills on the one hand together with other your colleagues and work on a specific task. on the other hand you can cross check your skills to other students and researchers all over the world. furthermore you can get in contact with a lot of people with the same focus.
you will find more information about the RoboCup on the official homepage.

Answer 4

You should use your skills in competitive programming contests like codechef, topcoder etc to win prizes.. You can work as a freelancer and earn huge amount of money.. You can upload your projects in GitHub so that it improves your resume.. But I highly recommend you to share your knowledge with others that would be helpful for others.. Make a YouTube channel and teach coding there so that many of us will get knowledge from you..

Answer 5

programming may not be your major but you can use it make your skills more valuable.
for example if you became architect you can use programming skills to calculate amazing bridges with higher stability or you can be a doctor who can use programming abilities to write holographic 3D sculpture of a cure , etc ... try to find a way you may like most

Answer 6

@Bjarte Mehus Sunde:
I make code what I like all the time, that's the problem, that they could be useful or sold, not just writing them for myself and a small, free2use community. Teaching assistant on the other hand sounds cool and should be considered!
@Michael Scholz:
Great idea, althrough it is not beneficial beyond further experience and practical knownledge. Your point is great and thank you for mentioning it. Don't know if on RoboCup the product is usable anywhere else, I asked particularly for how to help community-needs and/or gain money (in free time) by programming.

Answer 7

you have so much knowledge you can apply it anywhere you want which makes you notified in the society
keep doing your work

Answer 8

@Magyar You just asked and answered your question at once. "Where can I use my programming skill in the university"

Answer 9

Participating in projects should be your thing. github and a lot of other communities need help solving small and not so small tasks, or maybe you have a favourite program you could help maintain? Or test developing versions of projects like Fedora?! it's only up to your imagination, it's the only limit
Cheers
baard
P.S. And look into python, Linux cmd and embedded systems. ... iot preparation of skills 😊

Answer 10

In my opinion programmers are artist, we need to discover our passion in order to create art and connect it with the needs of people. As Steve Jobs said, we need to "think different". Just my thoughts.

Answer 11

@Bjarte Mehus Sunde
Of course heard. But you know, there is only a few social community site that made it like Facebook. I'm not really a website programmer. But that is an example of a successful project everyone has heard about, basically zero help for me even following that guy on his path.
The algoritm and app sounds better, but still no idea where to start :/

Answer 12

In university, Lol.

Answer 13

Freelancing...
But, while learning you can also develop
Take for example Mark Zuckerberg. He started coding and on a age of 16 he developed Facebook​ actually meant for him and his sister but not any longer Facebook was a multi-millionaire company...

Answer 14

Well programing makes you creative and helps you a lot with computer logics and of course mathematics!

Answer 15

You can also start online freelancing jobs [ try fiverr.com] to earn money or online programming challenges[ like codechef.com , coderbyte.com ].

Answer 16

@magyar dávid you are welcomed

Answer 17

@Melih Melik Sonmez:
I do learn to be an IT enginieer, and my prior ability is programming skill. However, you're right, programs should be capable to solve problems. Soon, I will choose specialization on university, but not yet. I'm currently (with this question) searching for a way to find real problems and needs where I can help, like joining as a linux developer, but in a smaller way. Thanks for your comment!
@Илья Карпенко:
Да. You know, I'm learning IT Enginieering on BSc and programming for ~9 years as hobby. I don't think there is anything about my question that is funny, my intentions are not to waste time and create some value instead.

Answer 18

work on freelance buddy ;) it will allow you tobearn money nd experience simultaneously

Answer 19

@fantastic_foluwa: Some exact places to search and look around, thank you so much!

Answer 20

You can develop any app, website or anything else n make it go viral... It can make u earn millions...Mark Zuckerberg used to make apps during this time which went viral today making him a billionaire... Best of luck bro!