Switching to a programming career - advice needed

ixoy

Hi,

So I'm looking to get into a career in programming, pref. Java since that's what I learnt in college (Comp. Sci. in Trinity). I've spent a number of years in the field of tech. writing and would now like to try what I originally wanted to do but was unable to due to the lack of IT jobs in 2001.

There is, I fear, a chance of my past work hindering me. I might be labelled too much as a "tech. writer" by recruitment agencies who see my recent work history. To that end I've been told to include a "MISSION STATEMENT" section on my CV, where I detail what I'm looking for (just after my contact details) to alert employers/agencies to what I'm after - what do people think of this? Is it alienating to companies or is it advisable so they don't put me down in the wrong column? Or is that best covered in a cover letter/explanation note?

Also, besides the usual job sites that I have a list of, has anyone else got any tips for getting into the industry? Obviously practicing my old programming skills is a given but anything else? I've been also told that certification courses would not be expected of me as I'd be entering at the bottom rung, in a form of graduation position which makes sense (and alas, would mean a salary drop). Any other tips or pointers or has anyone else made these transitions recently? Cheers!

damnyanks

Maybe some certification would be beneficial to you personally as to ensure that your programming standards are still up to scratch. I know personally when I stop programming in a specific language for a while I forge the syntax or whatever is available to me through whatever API etc. etc.

Also a masters in some comp related subject may be helpful. Does the company you work for now have a IT department that you could transfer too?

ixoy

damnyanks wrote:

Maybe some certification would be beneficial to you personally as to ensure that your programming standards are still up to scratch. I know personally when I stop programming in a specific language for a while I forge the syntax or whatever is available to me through whatever API etc. etc.

True, I get your point. To that end I was going to study things myself but that's not official as such. I could try and set myself assignments but again I'm not sure how this would come across to an employer. I don't think the basic Java syntax has changed much in the last few years, right? Not the core fundamentals - aren't the changes in the areas of using EJBs and database primarily (I did most of my stuff using JDK1.2 and J2EE1.1 spec).

Does the company you work for now have a IT department that you could transfer too?

I'm not currently in any company....

Chad ghostal

Im not sure how practical this is for you, but instead of setting excercises for yourself, you could think of an idea for a small-ish java application and then register it as an open source project on sourceforge.net or some other open source project repository, and then you could put that project on your c.v. .. (for them to be able to look it up, if they really wanted)

You could aim the program at the type of programming you think you may want, or you could make it general.

Its not neccessarily just for the programming, i dont imagine employers looking at everybodies projects etc..
but I've been told it looks very good on your c.v. to do this kind of thing outside of the work environment, as it shows real enthusiasm for development...

Repli

Just start applying for programming positions, and then you'll know if you need extra qualification/skills

ixoy

Well putting aside experience for a moment, what about the idea of the "MISSION STATEMENT" section in my CV stating what I want to do to avoid getting offers I'm not interested in (based on my experience from the last few years): good idea or should I include that information elsewhere?

RicardoSmith

I don't think companies care what your mission is...

Get certified, get a project under your belt.