-Did you learn to program in school or teach yourself?
Both. Although I did much of the learning on the job.
-Did you do unpaid work to establish yourself?
Yes, worked for free for 3 months
-Roughly how long did it take you from day 1 of learning to day 1 of being paid?
Probably 6 months all up. You can find yourself useful by writing unit tests etc. which any team will gladly take (as it's not a fun job) and other parts, which you can get paid for. Always make yourself useful but not cumbersome.
Both. Although I did much of the learning on the job.
-Did you do unpaid work to establish yourself?
Yes, worked for free for 3 months
-Roughly how long did it take you from day 1 of learning to day 1 of being paid?
Probably 6 months all up. You can find yourself useful by writing unit tests etc. which any team will gladly take (as it's not a fun job) and other parts, which you can get paid for. Always make yourself useful but not cumbersome.