It's Time To Lay Down The Laws In The Search For It
Sydney Morning Herald
Tuesday August 31, 1999
DEAR Job Doctor, I am 55 years old and female. I taught English for 20 years before retraining. I completed a Bachelor of Laws in 1988 and practised law for about eight years. While doing so I completed a Master of Laws part-time. I am enrolled in a PhD but am considering discontinuing in the near future. I am interested in retraining again by doing the Graduate Diploma in Computing Studies at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) next year.
What employment prospects do you think I will have at the end of 2000, bearing in mind that I have eight years of litigation experience including in the field of medical negligence, as well as good language skills? I have been told by UTS academics that previous work experience is held in high regard by some prospective IT employers. JS - Casula
Dear JS, If you are committed to a career change, and if you do decide to move to IT, then you should look at your present employer first.
Successful career changes involve leveraging off the experience that you already have - so while you study you should try to get involved in IT projects with your employer, and look at where IT and law intersect.
You obviously thrive on study, therefore you just need to determine in what area your interests lie in IT, be that technical, development or support, then to research the training opportunities available.
DEAR Job Doctor, I graduated from University of NSW about four years ago with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) with Honours. I am a project engineer working within the construction industry and liaise on a regular basis with multiple clients. I have therefore acquired good PR and excellent organisation skills in multiple project planning and execution.
Similarly I have a strong desire to work within the IT industry. I am considering doing short IT course(s) to form a foundation, to allow an entry point.
However, I enjoy what I do now and would like to continue to use my project organising skills. My interest is in the database management (SQL server) field and I believe MCSE offer related study programs. I would be most grateful if you could offer some advice in possible ways of transferring over to the IT industry and, if so, other suggested IT fields that rely upon project organising skills. RP - Camperdown
Dear RP, As you are studying, I would continue to investigate, through your education supplier, what courses would be able to develop your skill base in the areas that you mentioned, and what they would recommend you do bearing in mind your grades and performance so far.
At the same time, you should talk to your employer and your HR manager (if you have one) about your studies and where you hope they are going to lead you in the future. As an employee of four years, and one who has taken upon yourself the responsibility of further study, you should be of value to them - and they may explore ways for you to move internally.
At the very least, you should inquire about any project work that you can become involved with. It is going to be the addition of practical experience to your studies that will make the difference when you come to look for a job in IT, and if this move can be made internally, then it will be to your benefit.
DEAR Job Doctor, I have recently ceased my career in the automotive engineering field after 10 years in the trade. Because of a back injury I am now looking for a field of work that is not so labour intensive and has good prospects for my future career. The area I have been exploring is IT, but have been overwhelmed by the number of different job descriptions and TAFE courses available. I like dealing with people and value job security as a major factor in deciding my career path. SJ - Bondi Junction
Dear SJ, Initially you must move into a period of self-assessment. Take the time to weigh up your interests, the activities you most enjoy, your values and your style. Review your previous work history and qualifications in the same light - what were your actual skills, and what did you most enjoy doing?
At this point, some vague ideas will arise but should give you a frame of reference as to your future direction. If you are strongly analytical or detail orientated, then a career in programming may be of interest; however, if people contact is of more interest then there are possibilities in software support. With a career in engineering, however, I would assume that you are practical and therefore PC support may be a possibility.
Once you have mulled over these considerations, spend as long as you have to on the Internet, looking at the courses offered. I recognise there are so many education providers, but with some idea about where you are going, you should be able to start whittling these courses down in your mind.
Assess them on various merits such as length of the course, its cost, the location, etc, but more importantly, is the course of interest?
Many people choose a course they do not like because they think that it will provide them with better prospects - and although this is not a bad idea in itself, a balance needs to be struck between interest and practicality, because your ability to attain good grades is going to count on your commitment and motivation.
While you are studying, you also need to get some experience. Talk to your old company as there may be opportunities for you to do some basic IT project work - even if it is unpaid, this experience is going to be invaluable to you when you start applying for jobs.
*DO YOU have a query about working in the IT industry? Our expert, Jeanette Jones, from Morgan & Banks, will answer all questions she receives. Each Tuesday we publish a selection in I.T. Send your questions to jobdoctor@morganbanks.com.au or Job Doctor, Locked Bag 19, Grosvenor Place, NSW 2000.
© 1999 Sydney Morning Herald