How to go from IT to Software Development?

Question

I've been out of school for 2 years. I've worked in an IT shop and really don't enjoy it. I want to start working towards a career move to software development. One of the key things to know about my current situation is that I really shouldn't leave my current job for about 2 more years.

So, I'm basically wanting to figure out what I can do during my free time to work towards a career move in software development in two years.

Here are the options that I feel I have:

My current employer will allow me to go back to school and work with my schedule so I could:

1. Pursue this graduate certificate in software engineering ( 18 hours ) http://cse.msstate.edu/prospective/grad/certificate.php

2. Pursue a graduate degree in software engineering ( 34 hours ) at same school, but would be 16 more hours and a big graduate project.

3. Work on own projects and develop my own software. For instance, I'm working on iPhone projects at the moment. Read books and basically just grow my skills.

Any other opinions will be much appreciated.

Thanks to all that reply

Answer 1

Find out what you want to do. Then act to it.

When I take a look at the questions you asked here before, I find the following similar topics:

• Going from IT to Dream Job
• I want to be an entrepeneur software developer! Where do I start?
• Programmer wants to be a Entrepreneur
• Work for huge company or small company that makes products for huge company?
• Is this Career Suicide?
• Changing careers paths through after hour projects?
• Front-End Software Developer
• Don’t enjoy “in-house programming” help me not miss the boat!!!
• ... (AND MANY MORE - not linked)

The last one linked is nearly an exact duplicate of the exact same question you're asking here today.

My advice: Make up your mind. Go for a job that will satisfy you / stimulate you (on an intellectual level) and don't have 'salary' as a deciding factor (as long as you work you can probably pay the bills - and you have to think about your life quality too). Go for your personal passion, for whatever makes you tick -- that will quite possibly build you a career in the long run.

If you feel more secure with a degree, go for it. It don't think it's really necessary if you have enough talent / passion / a good enough portfolio.

Answer 2

Career Development wise, there's alot of weight put on the degree(s) one has in software development.

Competence wise, sheer creative thinking and experience beats the degrees every day.

So, I'd say to definitely get the degree (especially that you have flexibility now) but also supplement with your personal projects - you'll be sure to come out in a good spot.

Answer 3

What do you want to be when you grow up?

For real, if you ask yourself where want to be five years from today what is your answer? If you say something like I want to have my own business, that is too vague of an answer. If you say something like I want to be a software developer, that also is too vague of an answer.

You really have to hone in on a very specific goal. For example:

"Five years from today I want to have three software programs that are selling 50 copies a month and 1,500 customers."

Take The I-Beam Test

Let's say there is a 40 foot steel I-Beam sitting on the ground. You are standing at one end. I'm standing at the other end. I hold up a $100 bill and tell you that it's yours, all you have to do is walk across the beam. Would you do it? (Anser: Yes)

Now let's say I stack up a bunch of concrete blocks so they are 10 feet high and place that beam on top of them. Would you walk accross the beam for $100? (Answer: Yes)

Now, suppose I place that beam between to sky scrapers and the wind is blowing at 50 miles an hour. Would you walk across the beam for $100? (Answer: No)

Now, what if instead of $100 I had your best friend (or your child or your mother) and I had a knife up against his/her throat and told you either walk accross the beam or this person is dead. Would you do it? (Answer: Hell Yes)

You need to find your Hell Yes reason.