How do I change careers?

**Ignacio Machin ( .NET/ C# MVP )** · Jun 27 '08, 07:57 PM

Re: How do I change careers?

On Jun 12, 4:29 pm, Mitch@_._ wrote:

I was an electrical engineer. 10 years ago we made the decision that
I would quit and stay home to raise kids.
>
Now it's time to go back to work and I have no idea what to do.
If I want to go into software development, should I go back to school
for Comp Sci, or teach myself and try to get something entry-level?
>
I'm 40 and at a total loss as to what to do next.
What do I need to qualify for a job like this to get started:http://tinyurl.com/57rtjt

is that link safe for the office?

I think this is spam

MC · Jun 27 '08, 07:57 PM

Re: How do I change careers?

<Mitch@_._wro te in message news:1k1354p8ms 6ctjtet84miq0bi rs84ruar1@4ax.c om...

>I was an electrical engineer. 10 years ago we made the decision that
I would quit and stay home to raise kids.

I understand the demand for people who can do analog electronics now exceeds the supply -- you should look around for opportunities to stay in your present career. There are lots of self-taught programmers and not a lot of self-taught circuit designers.

**parez** · Jun 27 '08, 07:57 PM

Re: How do I change careers?

On Jun 12, 5:51 pm, "Ignacio Machin ( .NET/ C# MVP )"
<ignacio.mac... @gmail.comwrote :

On Jun 12, 4:29 pm, Mitch@_._ wrote:
>

I was an electrical engineer. 10 years ago we made the decision that
I would quit and stay home to raise kids.

>

Now it's time to go back to work and I have no idea what to do.
If I want to go into software development, should I go back to school
for Comp Sci, or teach myself and try to get something entry-level?

>

I'm 40 and at a total loss as to what to do next.
What do I need to qualify for a job like this to get started:http://tinyurl.com/57rtjt

>
is that link safe for the office?

It depends on the kind of office you work in. One of my exboss sent me
a link to a nasty site/ called the lemon party.
It was disgusting...

I think this is spam

I am willing to bet a dollar that it is spam.

**Peter Duniho** · Jun 27 '08, 07:57 PM

Re: How do I change careers?

On Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:12:47 -0700, parez <psawant@gmail. comwrote:

[...]

>I think this is spam

I am willing to bet a dollar that it is spam.

It's just a job listing. If it'd been a complete stranger posting,
sure...I think "spam" (or worse) is a pretty good guess. But Mitch's
posted before. He didn't seem like the kind of guy who'd post spam, and
his question seems serious to me.

Of course, I have no idea about the answer to his question. My personal
feeling is that a job interview ought to rely on performance rather than
credentials. I've seen too many people with the right credentials but the
wrong performance. But many, if not most, hiring authorities don't see it
that way.

I'd guess that for a lot of jobs, without some specific credentials --
either certification, or some specific degree or other training -- just
getting that first interview is unlikely.

Of course, the flip side to that is that the most enjoyable jobs are
probably at companies that recognize that performance matters more than
credentials and who are willing to interview a broader selection of
people, so that they can filter on performance instead. A person who
believes that may be better off just making sure they've got the ability
to perform and not worry about the specific path to getting that skill (or
rather, focus on the path that works best for them, rather than worrying
about which path might be most acceptable in the industry).

Anyway, who knows if that's helpful to the OP. But it's my two cents. :)

Pete

**Mitch@_._** · Jun 27 '08, 07:57 PM

Re: How do I change careers?

On Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:55:29 -0400, "MC"
<for.address.lo ok@www.ai.uga.e du.slash.mcwrot e:

>
>I There are lots of self-taught programmers and not a lot of self-taught circuit designers.

Actually, I never did any design work. Right out of school I got a
crappy project engineering job that required no technical skills.

Then I got a job programming robotic manufacturing systems, which I
loved. It was a proprietary assembler language. Very small
instruction set, so it required creative ways to get things done.

Anyway, if I can get some kind of entry-level job that has mobility, I
wouldn't have a problem with that, because I know that I learn and
grow quickly, and I wouldn't be entry-level for long.

But after 10 years, I'm definitely not qualified to interview for most
of the engineering jobs I see posted.

If I have to start over, at least I know from experience that I really
enjoy writing code.

**Arved Sandstrom** · Jun 27 '08, 07:57 PM

Re: How do I change careers?

"Ignacio Machin ( .NET/ C# MVP )" <ignacio.machin @gmail.comwrote in
message
news:1ba66e93-41e9-4570-9328-06032231ffe6@f3 6g2000hsa.googl egroups.com...
On Jun 12, 4:29 pm, Mitch@_._ wrote:

I was an electrical engineer. 10 years ago we made the decision that
I would quit and stay home to raise kids.
>
Now it's time to go back to work and I have no idea what to do.
If I want to go into software development, should I go back to school
for Comp Sci, or teach myself and try to get something entry-level?
>
I'm 40 and at a total loss as to what to do next.
What do I need to qualify for a job like this to get
started:http://tinyurl.com/57rtjt

is that link safe for the office?

I think this is spam

*************** ***************
What I particularly liked about the link was this description of people that
work at the place:

"Hubbard's team is made up of friendly, smart, high-bandwidth, and driven
individuals."

What exactly is a "high-bandwidth" individual? Does this mean that they
frequently "think outside the box"? Or does it mean that they have lots of
"core competencies"? Or does it mean they need lots of hand-holding and
meds?

AHS

**Peter Duniho** · Jun 27 '08, 07:57 PM

Re: How do I change careers?

On Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:15:36 -0700, Arved Sandstrom
<asandstrom@acc esswave.cawrote :

[...]
What exactly is a "high-bandwidth" individual? Does this mean that they
frequently "think outside the box"? Or does it mean that they have lots
of
"core competencies"? Or does it mean they need lots of hand-holding and
meds?

I agree that the term is ambiguous. But in the communities in which I've
heard it used, it describes a person who has a high capacity for rapid
acquisition of information. I.e. a "fast learner", or especially one who
can quickly integrate new information and synthesize conclusions from that
information.

So, I don't think it means any of the things you suggested. :)

Pete

**parez** · Jun 27 '08, 07:57 PM

Re: How do I change careers?

On Jun 13, 1:20 pm, "Peter Duniho" <NpOeStPe...@nn owslpianmk.com>
wrote:

On Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:15:36 -0700, Arved Sandstrom
>
<asandst...@acc esswave.cawrote :

[...]
What exactly is a "high-bandwidth" individual? Does this mean that they
frequently "think outside the box"? Or does it mean that they have lots
of
"core competencies"? Or does it mean they need lots of hand-holding and
meds?

>
I agree that the term is ambiguous. But in the communities in which I've
heard it used, it describes a person who has a high capacity for rapid
acquisition of information. I.e. a "fast learner", or especially one who
can quickly integrate new information and synthesize conclusions from that
information.
>
So, I don't think it means any of the things you suggested. :)
>
Pete

I think i am a "high-bandwidth" individual. I have comcast with
powerboost. ;)
Sorry couldnt help it.