Switch from Web programming to data warehousing? Should I?

Question

I was looking a report on internet that data warehousing is much lucrative and highly paid IT career. I am talking about technologies like abinitio etl datastage teradata. I work in ASP.net and sql server 05. Is it a good thought to move from web programming to data warehousing technologies. Since I would have no experience with data warehousing would I be eligible for a good pay? What technologies other than data warehousing are hot in terms to salary? I know, this may sound immature but I am planning to start my own business in future and would need capital for that.

Thanks

Answer 1

If your first concern is the salary, you won't get happy anyway. Select an area that you are happy to work with, that feels good for you. If you're then had become a good one in your area, you will be able to get salaries above average.

Thomas

Answer 2

It sounds like a pretty major career change. You don't say much about your current skillset/position, but I'd probably look into upgrading your programming skills and trying to leverage a higher salary out of what you already know and (presumably) are good at instead of trying to learn a new set of stuff and try to make a lot of money there quickly. Assuming you're happy with what you do now this also has the side benefit of not making your miserable as you struggle to get up to speed in a field you don't care about.

With no experience, no matter the field, I imagine you'd be unlikely to get "good" pay right off the bat. I put "good" in quotes because it will vary greatly depending on where you live and other factors.

Answer 3

I agree with what the other posters have said in terms of "do what makes you happy". If you enjoy doing something, you're more likely to excel at it. That said, I don't know what interests you, so if you'd be as or more happy moving to data warehousing, then go for it.

Before you make any decisions though, I think you need to do more research. A single report is not enough to act on and each piece of data you review should be validated. I would imagine, if you wanted to, you could find a report out there that told you that Web Programming was more lucrative than Data Warehousing.

I honestly think you can make great money in either career. If you're unhappy with what you're doing now, you should absolutely change if your life affords you that freedom. If you are going to change though, are you sure that data warehousing would be the most enjoyable and lucrative path?

Answer 4

How well do you fit the requirements for a data warehouse developer/analyst? Do you enjoy statistics and working with databases? From my limited view, those seem to be part of what you'd be doing in data warehousing. The quesstion is whether or not this interests you enough to start near the bottom again and work your way up.