How do I change careers?

[Mitch]

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

 

[Ignacio Machin ( .NET/ C# MVP )]

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

 

[parez]

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.

 

[Mitch]

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]

message

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

 

[parez]

[...]
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.

 

[Mitch]

I think i am a "high-bandwidth" individual.

I eat lots of fiber.

 

[Arved Sandstrom]

[...]
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 figured it for something like that, although my actual guess was "someone
who knows a lot of stuff and can apply it readily". Pretty close to yours
except for the acquisition bit. Me, I like the term "fast learner".

I have little patience with buzzwords, which makes me unpopular in certain
parts...as an example, if someone describes their app as "robust", I ask,
"Oh, d'you mean properly designed?"

AHS

 

[parez]

Various of my esteemed colleagues write:



Well said! The other thing I don't like is people who speak and write in TLAs (three-letter acronyms), especially newly-coined ones. Making up a new abbreviation for everything, and then tossing letters around ad nauseam, is no substitute for speaking plain English.

LOL

 

[Lasse Vågsæther Karlsen]

LOL

Man, that made me laugh