Moving into IT

dubmark74

Hi, I am a qualified electrical engineer, but have always had an interest in working in IT/computer programming. I was wondering if anyone has made the transition and how I would go about it. Due to financial commitments I cannot study full time but could study part time. The ideal scenario would be to get a job with an IT company who covers the study fees. Any help appreciated.

Mr. Loverman

Prove to employers you are interested and talented.

The easiest way to do this is to create software (or do some technical thing) for fun.

For example, you could contribute code to an open source project, or create an iPhone app.

IT is full of people who have no real interest in programming etc., so it's easy to make yourself stand out from the crowd if you actually have a genuine interest.

Ray Palmer

Iphone app probably not the best idea given the initial output costs for the developers licence and don't you also need to use an Apple computer too? Try Android and open source stuff first if you are going to do a pet project. A website is probably the most practical cheap thing to try.

IT is a multi discipline industry so saying you want to go into IT is a bit like saying I want to go into electricity. What do you want to do? Become a programmer? UI programmer? Database programmer? System design?

I am not trying to undermine you but trying to explain that you would need to be more precise. If you have an electrical background network administration might be an easier move.

Unfortunately either way you would be starting at the bottom after retraining so it will be a few years before you will see a decent salary. Somebody hiring you and training you up is pretty unlikely as they can hire a graduate with a computer discipline or aspect relatively easily as there are plenty about.

dixiefly

try this website.....I have used it for a course in another area

www.coursera.org

or also for a small fee try Udemy, the often have big cuts in the cost of their online course offerings.

L.Jenkins

You could have a look into Microsoft or Oracle Certified Exams. Java or C#/.NET Certifications would make the transition into Development easier.

Maximus Alexander

Not quite the same, but I studied electronic engineering, which has got a fairly strong IT tilt. I worked in IT for a while and decided I would prefer to do programming. So I went out and bought a few books and started programming in my spare time. This was easy enough for me to do because I was genuinely interested. I started with Java, released a couple of Android apps to test my skills, then moved on to HTML5, .NET and now I'm working my way through some C++ books.

I applied my enthusiasm for programming to my existing job and created a few desktop applications to assist my team with repetitive tasks in the job that I had. This was noticed by management and I was subsequently offered a development role in the same company.

So, that's what worked for me. Your mileage may vary. Good luck anyway!

but43r

OP, what is the reason that you want to move into IT/computer programming? Have you tried programming and you enjoyed it or it just sounds good?

IMO the only way to get into software developers role without formal education is to work for a company that has IT department and impress them enough so that they offer you developers role (Even if it's just part time).

It would be next to impossible to find an IT company that would employ you without any programming knowledge, pay you a salary and pay for your education...

edanto

Maybe have a read around in the IT Certification forum. There's a entry level qualification called the Comptia A+ (thread about it here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056503786) which gives you the basics of how computers and networking operate, and while you might know some of it already, it's a good baseline. It tends to lead towards roles in IT Support, which might or might not be something you're interested in. After the A+, there's the Network + before you really start getting into certifications that will allow you to stand out.

Just pick a milestone for the next 6 months - do you want to make your first app, your first website, build your own media centre at home or something else completely. You might get a kick out of the RasPi and Arduino synergy, to fork off the electrical knowledge you already have and learn a bit of programming.

Like, you might want to build yourself a tricorder and do some Star Trek style analysis on our home planet. http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/3442

Make it fun for yourself, with a short list of goals that you're constantly achieving and revising.

dubmark74

Thanks all for the information, this is really useful. Just to give a bit more background to this, I am quite bored with my current job and have always had an interest in IT work. Ideally I would like to get into programming but would consider any IT role, hardware/software. The company I work for is quite small and doesn't have an IT department as such, so no opportunities within my current company. The Microsoft certifications look interesting. I have a basic knowledge in the area so should be able to manage one of these courses, although I believe they are quite difficult. I'd be interested to hear how of anyone who has done any if these courses. Thanks.

ifah

dubmark - hope you don't mind me asking - what level of education (cert/ diploma / degree / masters / professional papers etc ?)

Reason I ask is that there are a huge variety of cross discipline courses on offer to provide an entry point into IT. I'm currently lecturing on a MSc program which is for cross skilling degree holders into IT so have some insights into the market. (I'm also working in IT for past 18 years so can give a good insight into trends / options etc.)

dubmark74

ifah wrote: »

dubmark - hope you don't mind me asking - what level of education (cert/ diploma / degree / masters / professional papers etc ?)

Reason I ask is that there are a huge variety of cross discipline courses on offer to provide an entry point into IT. I'm currently lecturing on a MSc program which is for cross skilling degree holders into IT so have some insights into the market. (I'm also working in IT for past 18 years so can give a good insight into trends / options etc.)

Hi there, I have a masters in engineering. I would be really interested to hear about these cross discipline courses and any other help you may have. Thanks a lot for taking the time. Mark.