Transition from admin to systems developer

[SpandexBobcat]

Hi there. I will give you some background info on myself before I pose the question, hope it doesnt bore you!!!

I graduated in 2001 with a 2.2 in (mayored in Business Information Systems and minor in Computer Communications) Whilst at university my Information Systems module was of great interest to me, I excelled in the subject and gained good knowledge and grades.

For about a year after graduating I was temping for various companies but a year ago I got a job at a research facilty, with 100 users, as an IT Assistant. I didnt have that much knowledge in this area when I started but learned fast and now I am postmaster, database admin/developer, server admin, telephone admin I know EVERYTHING about the site. I havent built a server but I have done well in regards to solving just about any problem that arises. There is only myself and my manager in the IT department so I have been able to soak up everything. Furthermore the site is wonderfully placed in 40 acres of land with a mansion as the main building!

It all sounds wonderful doesnt it... I am however paid a VERY low wage and have to have a second job to keep my head above water. What I really want to do is leave here and get into the sector I trully feel I will not only prosper in but also enjoy the most, Systems develpment. I know SSADM, OOA and other methodologies I just want to know if I stand a chance to get into this field with the knowledge I have gained where I am now. Also I am fully aware I will need to start near the bottom but what job would be the best place to start? I can read code but do not want to do programming....

Any thoughts and feelings on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

Simon (27,UK)

 

[LesleyW]

It does sound rather nice... but I understand the problems of not having enough £ to live on.

More money probably means working for a big corporation. For a living wage you could try local government? You will obviously NOT get a 40 acre garden to work in tho, unless you stike it very lucky

As for what area, from what you say, "analyst" might be the job for you. An understanding of OOA (don't know what SSADM is ) as will a lively mind and curiousity about the underlying data a company needs to run its business. I'm moving from developer (i.e take specs from analyst, design systme and build it) to analyst because I am fascinated by the work (though I think I will miss programming). I can do this because my employer (a big corporate) believes in supporting and developing people. And they need more good analysts

One draw back of working in this kind of field is that resources (i.e.the people who work within a project) are not managed well so I always end up working like a devil half the year and the other half of the year browsing tek tips and trying to look busy, ahem I mean educate myself.