>>How does a 17 year old with no experience in any programming languages become a proficient C++ coder(and get a job)?
>>
>>There are plenty of 24 year olds i know who currently work as c++ coders ( and they do a good job). They did not know any programming languages 10 years ago.
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>>In general I think human resources people put too much importance on current knowledge level.
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>>If you are not given lattitude in who you chose to hire then the hiring process becomes even more difficult.
>
>Well. I never said "it" never happens. I think your examples are exceptions, not the rule.
>
>Let me see 17 year old kid.... he probably has a great personality or .. uh ... nepotism? :)
>
>I think hiring process should be, as you say, "diffcult". Employers should be picky. If I was hiring I would be.

My fathers' in got son was hired for his first FoxPro job exactly on this age - 17. He cames from C++. Is he proficient C++ coder?? - absotutely he was member of national computing high-school team.
My son is 15 years old and go behind him. But he already received some small VFP tasks from my wife.