Again, I suggest talking to a recruiter. The chances of you landing your "perfect" job right out of college are next to impossible. Get a few years experience. You might take a pay cut or lose some benefits now, but in the long run all the real job experience and knowledge you will gain are things companies want. Also, do as much coding in your spare time as possible. If you want a job that lets you wear shorts and flip flops to work with the hours of 1-AM-2PM, you better be one amazing programmer.
It's possible the right recruiter might be of help, although they can be pretty mercenary as regards finding someone they can sell.
But the bottom line is, as you say, get coding. Write programs, get involved in some online communities, contribute to some open source projects, volunteer your services locally, whatever you need to do to establish a track record.
PMs will not program. at all.
If you're looking for a programming/technical position having done PM work will not help you at all in the future.
I'd talk to a few recruiters and let them see your resume. Most developers don't work at software companies. They work for companies that have in house software. A recruiter can set you up on interviews that fit your knowledge and skill level. Chances are you won't get those "dream" jobs where you can work whatever hours, wear shorts and flip flops, and bring your dog to work, but corporate environments aren't as bad as people want to believe.
In fact it will certainly hurt. Just think carefully about what you want to do before proceeding down that path. Project Management is a fine career, if that's what you want to do.
Did you get any internships while in school? Honestly, just because you did well in school doesn't mean it will help land an actual job. I had several internships before getting offered a position at my current company.
I don't know anybody who got a decent job after graduating that didn't have at least one internship on their resume. It certainly makes a huge difference. The few people I know without internships either ended up in sales or support type role.
Doing a term in the military as a programmer also helped because I had experience actually working.
Yeah that's a big difference .Doing a term in the military as a programmer also helped because I had experience actually working.
Did 3 months as an intern for the DOT doing simulation work.
Recommended by a prof in my final semester - only taking 2 classes Undergrad and grad.
As an Air Force officer, that simulation work lead me into weapons simulation/testing for the Eagle.
When I came off of active duty, went to work for the same company as my best man was at
But had a 25% salary over him.
Military training in computers can lead onward, civilian or government work.
One does not have to be an officer either; plenty of enlisted either learn programming and/or as techs can almost write their on ticket.
There is a computer programmer AFSC for enlisted Airmen. Sadly, there is little to no real training and you don't have to be good at your job to remain in the Air Force. There is a lot of waste, but quite a few people learn everything they can and get out at E-4/5 and make more than double what they were making being enlisted.