Any career advice on moving from VB/SQL job to Java/C++/something else

[millerk]

Hi,
I've been doing VB/SQL development for 4 years now since getting my BSCS degree. Most of my time has been spent developing software to support a manufacturing environment. I'd really like to branch out and do something different, but without Java/C++/C work experience, the only jobs I seem to be qualified for are pretty much the same as my current job.

I started working on a MSCS degree through online classes at DePaul University. I was hoping this would open up some more opportunities, but I'm spending a lot of money and I'm having doubts as to how much this will help me. I've also been considering getting my MCSD in C#, but that also seems like it will only help me with business app development jobs like I currently have. In some ways, I wish I was still a fresh college grad because I wouldn't have limited myself to a certain area yet.

Any ideas on how to make a move to other areas where I don't have experience would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[chiph]

Learn OOP.
If you can't speak to others in terms of objects, you won't be taken seriously.

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[millerk]

The majority of my college work was in Java so I've got the OO fundamentals. It's just that I don't have the opportunity to use it at my current job.

 

[JRBeltman]

Choice of an IT career is very difficult indeed.

Last year May I decided that there was no future in my job and I wanted to grow. My brother was an excellent help in creating an overview of what sectors there are in the world of IT (and there are many). But I have just deleted this overview not even 2 days ago, otherwise I would have posted it here.

My advice:
Draw up (with some friends from the IT world) an overview of the different directions you can take in IT. This usually ranges from programming (many sub sectors), to management and consultancy and much more.

Then select a field in which you are realy interested. If you are not sure then talk to some people in the field. I am sure that there are enough people on this forum that are more than happy to inform you about their work.

If you already have the scholing and experience required for this field.. well what is stopping you?

If not, do like I did and get the experience. It never hurts to start applying for a job anyway, even if you are still working on getting the experience.

Personaly I decided to start a masters study to gain experience in consultancy. From there and because of my current work I got very interested in auditing and am currently busy to get registered as an BS7799 auditor (and perhaps ISO9001 aswell). I hope to use the experience I will gain in the future to start consulting on the subject of information security and with the knowledge I already have I could also consult on IT management.

I wish you the best of luck.. it is always difficult to find where you wish to go with your life and it may well change a couple of times along the road.


JR
IT = Logic (except for a well known OS where it equals luck) -> Back to the Basics!

 

[RiverGuy]

If you want to move to Java or C++, I would suggest practicing in them, and creating applictions with them in your spare time. Make some shareware/freeware, or something useful, so you can get some experience out there in non-academic means.

 

[DeanConsulting]

As much as I hate to mention it and I will surely get flamed so please be gentle -

I would also consider .Net stuff and really give C# and ASP.Net a hard look. As much as we dread it I am afraid that it is going to be around and more prominate than allot of people wish it to be.

I would also really consider the advice of chiph too. Learning OOP is a vitial skill that is needed in today's programming world.

Hope this helps and God Bless.

nb


---------------------------------------
Noble D. Bell

http://www.noblesoftware.com

http://www.noblebell.com

 

[chiph]

And by OOP, I include the entire OO family: Analysis, Design, using UML to express your intentions, the whole enchilada.

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first