Considering a career change. Any suggestions?
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I know how you feel, except I'm leaving one career to move into a software development career. I can't remember who said it, but the key to happiness within a career comes down to three questions (and I'm paraphrasing from memory here): 0) Were you born to do it? 1) Do you love doing it? 2) Can you make money doing it? These are the three questions I used to determine what type of career to move into when I had finally had enough of my first career choice. For what it's worth, I hope it helps, and good luck to you in whatever you decide.
-NP Never underestimate the creativity of the end-user.
Good questions. All 3 are definitely yes for me. I would program if I was not getting paid for it. I would however not do it for 80 hours a week though.
John
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That sounds like you're describing a Project Manager or Product Manager type of position. So Microsoft would be good, or some other large company; maybe Google.
Best wishes, Hans
[CodeProject Forum Guidelines] [How To Ask A Question] [My Articles]
Exactly. When you do not have the drive to continue learning and do not want to work long hours programming it is time to manage people who do.
John
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I have been developing software for the last 10 years in C, C++, then C#, primarily windows forms applications. I have a 4 year degree in computer science. When I think back I realize that developing software is not a career I enjoy. Since I was a child I have enjoyed working with computers but I am not a techie. I do not know the latest trends in software or in hardware. When I read industry books they are usually about agile development practices or user interfaces. I do enjoy working directly with the users and designing software. I am just not quite techie enough to be able to tell you exactly how Framework 2.0 is different from 3.0 and I have no interest in learning it (although I know that I could if I applied myself). It is time for me to either get a new job or get new education. With the job market the way it is I am in a quandary. So to summarize. My question is... What is a good degree, skill set, or secondary career that I could get into that would utilize my programming background?
I am in almost the exact same situation. I looked into going into teaching. The pay is so bad and it takes so long to climb up the ladder to a decent pay scale that its just not worth it. :omg:
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I have been developing software for the last 10 years in C, C++, then C#, primarily windows forms applications. I have a 4 year degree in computer science. When I think back I realize that developing software is not a career I enjoy. Since I was a child I have enjoyed working with computers but I am not a techie. I do not know the latest trends in software or in hardware. When I read industry books they are usually about agile development practices or user interfaces. I do enjoy working directly with the users and designing software. I am just not quite techie enough to be able to tell you exactly how Framework 2.0 is different from 3.0 and I have no interest in learning it (although I know that I could if I applied myself). It is time for me to either get a new job or get new education. With the job market the way it is I am in a quandary. So to summarize. My question is... What is a good degree, skill set, or secondary career that I could get into that would utilize my programming background?
I can SO identify with that, only I have about half your experience. I am trying to transition into a BA role* (see, I can already talk like that :rolleyes: ), but you sound like you might enjoy being a Technical Writer as well. * Having said that, it still cracks me up when I read Scott Adams' description of Business Analysis: The word Analysis comes from the root word Anal and the ancient Greek word Ysis, which means 'to pull numbers from'. :laugh:
Cheers, Vıkram.
Carpe Diem.
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That sounds like you're describing a Project Manager or Product Manager type of position. So Microsoft would be good, or some other large company; maybe Google.
Best wishes, Hans
[CodeProject Forum Guidelines] [How To Ask A Question] [My Articles]
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I have been developing software for the last 10 years in C, C++, then C#, primarily windows forms applications. I have a 4 year degree in computer science. When I think back I realize that developing software is not a career I enjoy. Since I was a child I have enjoyed working with computers but I am not a techie. I do not know the latest trends in software or in hardware. When I read industry books they are usually about agile development practices or user interfaces. I do enjoy working directly with the users and designing software. I am just not quite techie enough to be able to tell you exactly how Framework 2.0 is different from 3.0 and I have no interest in learning it (although I know that I could if I applied myself). It is time for me to either get a new job or get new education. With the job market the way it is I am in a quandary. So to summarize. My question is... What is a good degree, skill set, or secondary career that I could get into that would utilize my programming background?
[edit] Wow. That happened fast. I guess I should have expected this kind of response given the size of the site. In just this short period of time I already have as much as I can handle, so I won't be bringing on anyone further right now. Thanks! [/edit] As it happens, I'm in the process of revamping my company web site to reflect some new consulting services I'll be offering shortly, and career coaching is actually the section I'm working on even as we speak. While I'm an enthusiastic capitalist and like driving little red Corvettes, I've been thinking about offering this particular service for free for a little while to the CP folks as a way of giving back to a community that's been good to me over the years. And with the tech industry being as screwed up as it is these days, I figure there's probably a few folks who are giving their careers a close look right about now. For what it's worth, I'm currently on my fourth major career change. Each one has been doing something I truly love and I've been paid well for my efforts. There's no reason in the world that you can't earn a living doing something you look forward to each day, and there's no rule that says you can't ditch it for something else should you ever become bored with it. It takes work, but it's easier than you might think. Anyway, should you (or any of the other folks here) be interested in the pro bono coaching, just hit the contact page on my web site and we'll take it offline so as not to dilute your post (don't use the email link on this post as it might not get to me, and I wouldn't want any of you to fall between the cracks).
Christopher Duncan Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalUSA.com
modified on Saturday, March 14, 2009 5:23 PM
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Back in my younger days when I finished my internship at MS and then later worked there, I wondered if I could be transferred to the R&D division. They said, sure, as soon as you get your Masters degree and have published research papers to your name, then we'll consider it. They don't play over there, those guys create. I've met 2 across all the years and they were insanely intelligent. I really mean that, insanely so.
And they still managed to create that half-arsed (or should it be full-arsed? :laugh: ) Explorer in Vista?
Cheers, Vıkram.
Carpe Diem.
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I have been developing software for the last 10 years in C, C++, then C#, primarily windows forms applications. I have a 4 year degree in computer science. When I think back I realize that developing software is not a career I enjoy. Since I was a child I have enjoyed working with computers but I am not a techie. I do not know the latest trends in software or in hardware. When I read industry books they are usually about agile development practices or user interfaces. I do enjoy working directly with the users and designing software. I am just not quite techie enough to be able to tell you exactly how Framework 2.0 is different from 3.0 and I have no interest in learning it (although I know that I could if I applied myself). It is time for me to either get a new job or get new education. With the job market the way it is I am in a quandary. So to summarize. My question is... What is a good degree, skill set, or secondary career that I could get into that would utilize my programming background?
amymarie3 wrote:
I do enjoy working directly with the users and designing software.
Is this what you liked about programming when you were taking classes in college? It took me a little while to find what I liked about programming again after I started wondering if I wanted to keep going or like you're doing now, consider a career change. I know plenty of nontechie programmers out there. You don't have to know the latest programming fad to be effective, but it does help to make sure you're competitive. It might help for you to look inside and find out what made programming a career choice or interest at least in the first place and then keep your focus on that.
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And they still managed to create that half-arsed (or should it be full-arsed? :laugh: ) Explorer in Vista?
Cheers, Vıkram.
Carpe Diem.
Well, these guys were both in the Comms area and one also delved in the black magic known as AI, so I really doubt that they even remotely touched on that. Couldn't tell you specifics though, tres hush hush, if we tell you then we have to kill you sort :) Besides, they were insane, they might have done it as a practical joke! :laugh:
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amymarie3 wrote:
I do enjoy working directly with the users and designing software.
Is this what you liked about programming when you were taking classes in college? It took me a little while to find what I liked about programming again after I started wondering if I wanted to keep going or like you're doing now, consider a career change. I know plenty of nontechie programmers out there. You don't have to know the latest programming fad to be effective, but it does help to make sure you're competitive. It might help for you to look inside and find out what made programming a career choice or interest at least in the first place and then keep your focus on that.
wolfbinary wrote:
Is this what you liked about programming when you were taking classes in college?
To be fair, college simply doesn't prepare you for daily life as a programmer*. True, you learn how doubly linked lists work, and such, but if you're like me, I'm sure that's the least of my day-to-day worries. * Whether it prepares you for daily life in any other career is a different question, so it's best ignored now.
Cheers, Vıkram.
Carpe Diem.
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[edit] Wow. That happened fast. I guess I should have expected this kind of response given the size of the site. In just this short period of time I already have as much as I can handle, so I won't be bringing on anyone further right now. Thanks! [/edit] As it happens, I'm in the process of revamping my company web site to reflect some new consulting services I'll be offering shortly, and career coaching is actually the section I'm working on even as we speak. While I'm an enthusiastic capitalist and like driving little red Corvettes, I've been thinking about offering this particular service for free for a little while to the CP folks as a way of giving back to a community that's been good to me over the years. And with the tech industry being as screwed up as it is these days, I figure there's probably a few folks who are giving their careers a close look right about now. For what it's worth, I'm currently on my fourth major career change. Each one has been doing something I truly love and I've been paid well for my efforts. There's no reason in the world that you can't earn a living doing something you look forward to each day, and there's no rule that says you can't ditch it for something else should you ever become bored with it. It takes work, but it's easier than you might think. Anyway, should you (or any of the other folks here) be interested in the pro bono coaching, just hit the contact page on my web site and we'll take it offline so as not to dilute your post (don't use the email link on this post as it might not get to me, and I wouldn't want any of you to fall between the cracks).
Christopher Duncan Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalUSA.com
modified on Saturday, March 14, 2009 5:23 PM
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amymarie3 wrote:
I do enjoy working directly with the users and designing software.
Is this what you liked about programming when you were taking classes in college? It took me a little while to find what I liked about programming again after I started wondering if I wanted to keep going or like you're doing now, consider a career change. I know plenty of nontechie programmers out there. You don't have to know the latest programming fad to be effective, but it does help to make sure you're competitive. It might help for you to look inside and find out what made programming a career choice or interest at least in the first place and then keep your focus on that.
When I was in school the software engineering class was a practical lesson in designing software. The teacher made me the project lead and I enjoyed it. When I went to college I had no idea what I would major in. My second quarter I wanted to take a computer class and all sections of the "general computing" class was full so I took an intro to computer science class. The next quarter I needed another class to get the required number of credits so I took a Programing 1 class. Before I knew it I had a major. I was a third of the way through the program before I even realized that I had chosen a major. And I was pretty good at it, not great but got decent grades so I stuck with it.
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[edit] Wow. That happened fast. I guess I should have expected this kind of response given the size of the site. In just this short period of time I already have as much as I can handle, so I won't be bringing on anyone further right now. Thanks! [/edit] As it happens, I'm in the process of revamping my company web site to reflect some new consulting services I'll be offering shortly, and career coaching is actually the section I'm working on even as we speak. While I'm an enthusiastic capitalist and like driving little red Corvettes, I've been thinking about offering this particular service for free for a little while to the CP folks as a way of giving back to a community that's been good to me over the years. And with the tech industry being as screwed up as it is these days, I figure there's probably a few folks who are giving their careers a close look right about now. For what it's worth, I'm currently on my fourth major career change. Each one has been doing something I truly love and I've been paid well for my efforts. There's no reason in the world that you can't earn a living doing something you look forward to each day, and there's no rule that says you can't ditch it for something else should you ever become bored with it. It takes work, but it's easier than you might think. Anyway, should you (or any of the other folks here) be interested in the pro bono coaching, just hit the contact page on my web site and we'll take it offline so as not to dilute your post (don't use the email link on this post as it might not get to me, and I wouldn't want any of you to fall between the cracks).
Christopher Duncan Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalUSA.com
modified on Saturday, March 14, 2009 5:23 PM
I sent you an email using the Email link, but I'm told it's rather unreliable.... :~
Cheers, Vıkram.
Carpe Diem.
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Well, these guys were both in the Comms area and one also delved in the black magic known as AI, so I really doubt that they even remotely touched on that. Couldn't tell you specifics though, tres hush hush, if we tell you then we have to kill you sort :) Besides, they were insane, they might have done it as a practical joke! :laugh:
Mustafa Ismail Mustafa wrote:
Couldn't tell you specifics though, tres hush hush, if we tell you then we have to kill you sort
Given you're Canadian, did you just lapse into French? :~ I have distant relatives in Montreal. Apparently, they lapse into French when they speak amongst themselves, which for some reason sounds very odd. The only code switching I do is into English.
Mustafa Ismail Mustafa wrote:
Besides, they were insane, they might have done it as a practical joke!
"We'll take the most common shortcut, for Up, and change it to something utterly new!" *Cackling evil laughter*
Cheers, Vıkram.
Carpe Diem.
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I sent you an email using the Email link, but I'm told it's rather unreliable.... :~
Cheers, Vıkram.
Carpe Diem.
Hey, Vikram. Yeah, I got the forum reply link but not the email you sent. Do me a favor and go to Contact Us[^] and shoot me an email. That way I can make sure you're included on the program and don't fall through the cracks somehow.
Christopher Duncan Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalUSA.com
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Christopher Duncan wrote:
or any of the other folks here) be interested in the pro bono coaching, just hit the contact link on my web site below and we'll take it offline so as not to dilute your post.
Done!
jhaga
And received! Got you on the program. :)
Christopher Duncan Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalUSA.com
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Mustafa Ismail Mustafa wrote:
Couldn't tell you specifics though, tres hush hush, if we tell you then we have to kill you sort
Given you're Canadian, did you just lapse into French? :~ I have distant relatives in Montreal. Apparently, they lapse into French when they speak amongst themselves, which for some reason sounds very odd. The only code switching I do is into English.
Mustafa Ismail Mustafa wrote:
Besides, they were insane, they might have done it as a practical joke!
"We'll take the most common shortcut, for Up, and change it to something utterly new!" *Cackling evil laughter*
Cheers, Vıkram.
Carpe Diem.
Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
Given you're Canadian, did you just lapse into French? Unsure I have distant relatives in Montreal. Apparently, they lapse into French when they speak amongst themselves, which for some reason sounds very odd. The only code switching I do is into English.
Possibly. I lapse into any of the 4 languages I speak without realizing it (my wife is the one that pointed it out). Its rude really when there are others that don't understand what I'm saying and I'm trying to get a grip on it.
Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
"We'll take the most common shortcut, for Up, and change it to something utterly new!" *Cackling evil laughter*
That sounds like them alright.
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Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
Given you're Canadian, did you just lapse into French? Unsure I have distant relatives in Montreal. Apparently, they lapse into French when they speak amongst themselves, which for some reason sounds very odd. The only code switching I do is into English.
Possibly. I lapse into any of the 4 languages I speak without realizing it (my wife is the one that pointed it out). Its rude really when there are others that don't understand what I'm saying and I'm trying to get a grip on it.
Vikram A Punathambekar wrote:
"We'll take the most common shortcut, for Up, and change it to something utterly new!" *Cackling evil laughter*
That sounds like them alright.
English, French, Arabic, ??? Rude? Depends on the situation, I guess. I switch into English because at the workplace, I really prefer English. Besides, for most technical discussions, Indian languages are notoriously inadequate.
Cheers, Vıkram.
Carpe Diem.
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Hey, Vikram. Yeah, I got the forum reply link but not the email you sent. Do me a favor and go to Contact Us[^] and shoot me an email. That way I can make sure you're included on the program and don't fall through the cracks somehow.
Christopher Duncan Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalUSA.com
Done, thanks. :) Damn, I wish that email hadn't been lost :( Now that I remember, I sent you another CP mail a long time back, on opportunities for technical writing, etc, and didn't hear back. Maybe that got lost as well. :suss:
Cheers, Vıkram.
Carpe Diem.
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English, French, Arabic, ??? Rude? Depends on the situation, I guess. I switch into English because at the workplace, I really prefer English. Besides, for most technical discussions, Indian languages are notoriously inadequate.
Cheers, Vıkram.
Carpe Diem.
Spanish, though no where near the level of the first three (all native speaker, but my french is becoming rusty :~)