Career Advice: From Support Technician to Software Programmer

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Tue, September 18, 2012 at 12:00

Question:

I am thinking about changing direction in my career - I am currently a Support Technician, and want to go into Software Programming/Development.

From the research I have done, it appears to require a degree in Computer Science, which I do not have, though I have an ordinary degree and the MCSE, as well as some very basic programming skills.

Our Thoughts:

It sounds like you have a fairly clear idea around where you want to go. Before committing to a degree, because that is quite a big commitment I’d like to ask you a few questions which are perhaps as much for you to think about as they are for me to learn more about where you are going and what might be a good move for you:

Why do you want to move into software programming/development?
What aspect of Software programming/development do you like and want to get involved in?
Why do you think you would be good at it?
What part of Software programming/development interests you the most?

I ask you these questions because it’s actually quite a big field. What programming language(s) do you want to be working in? What type of company do you want to be working in? On what types of projects? On what platforms? What kind of software?

The more that you can understand where you might like to go and about that area that you have identified having an interest in – the clearer you will get around understanding what it is that you need to do in order to get there. Find people in this area and ask them to tell you about what they do. Try and identify which bits you might be good at and enjoy, and which bits might be best avoided. You may find that the specific area you want to get into does not require any further training. You may also find that there are areas that you may want to get into that you have never thought of before but which you may thoroughly enjoy and be suited to. Explore, network, research and learn much more – before committing to any particular option or degree course.

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