Learning and advancing on the job - Programmers should consider looking for opportunities in their current place of employment to discover potential roles they can fill, Blackwell says. “Apply for open jobs to get hands-on experience, since frequently companies give priority to hiring internally for roles and may even provide financial help to complete courses and/or certifications,” she says. In addition, programmers can look to gain experience in areas that are not part of their existing job responsibilities. “You can volunteer to help solve a particular problem by identifying key pain points you and your colleagues may experience, and step up by suggesting solutions,” Blackwell says. “This offers an opportunity to learn on the job, and be recognized by superiors for your helpful contributions.” Find your best fit Another way to get on-the-job experience is to look for opportunities at smaller companies, “which are often a great place for developers to do just this because team members often wear multiple hats,” Blackwell says. “You can typically utilize your current core skill set while gaining valuable experience in your chosen career path.”