From Green Eyeshade to Parseltoungue?
March 13, 2009 7:43 AM Subscribe
Can I successfully switch careers from accounting to programming while maintaining my standard of living - more detailed explanation after the link . . .
OK – so I have been a Finance Executive/Controller for the past 15 years, working myself up to a low six figure income. The problem is that I hate this line of work and am not a CPA – which is causing me to fall behind on technical accounting (which I have no desire to learn). At the same time I am basically the sole bread winner with a mortgage and all expected bills (though no other debt) and a wife and two kids, living in the high cost of living state of MA. I am interested in web development and am learning Python as a way to get started in programming and am very interested in the possibility of changing my career.
Is it reasonable to assume that, once I am proficient in Python and start branching out into other languages that are in more demand, I can find a job at a starting salary around $75k (a minimum that would allow us to support our cost of living) – with the expectations that I can get to six figures within 5 years? One overriding assumption is that my cost of living is pretty much fixed (i.e. I’m not going to sell my house).
OK – so I have been a Finance Executive/Controller for the past 15 years, working myself up to a low six figure income. The problem is that I hate this line of work and am not a CPA – which is causing me to fall behind on technical accounting (which I have no desire to learn). At the same time I am basically the sole bread winner with a mortgage and all expected bills (though no other debt) and a wife and two kids, living in the high cost of living state of MA. I am interested in web development and am learning Python as a way to get started in programming and am very interested in the possibility of changing my career.
Is it reasonable to assume that, once I am proficient in Python and start branching out into other languages that are in more demand, I can find a job at a starting salary around $75k (a minimum that would allow us to support our cost of living) – with the expectations that I can get to six figures within 5 years? One overriding assumption is that my cost of living is pretty much fixed (i.e. I’m not going to sell my house).
would you consider going back to school for a CS degree?
Your salary requirements might be more achievable then.
However, outsourcing is taking a large bite out of work available in the US and has been deflating salaries in high-tech in general.
posted by j at 7:57 AM on March 13, 2009
Your salary requirements might be more achievable then.
However, outsourcing is taking a large bite out of work available in the US and has been deflating salaries in high-tech in general.
posted by j at 7:57 AM on March 13, 2009
Um... no. At least where I live, if you're really good and lucky with a lot of industry contacts, you might be able to hit 6 figures in 5 years with a CS degree. Its more likely possible to be @ 75K after 5 years, but is by no means a sure thing. It's NOT a starting wage for someone without significant real-world development experience. Granted, I'm sure it's been done, but it's definitely not the norm. Hasn't been since the dot-com bust of 2001.
It took you 15 years to get to that point in your current field. Why would you expect the web dev world to be any better? Also consider that web dev is typically paid less than other types of more specialized programming jobs, for exactly this reason -- the barrier for entry is so much lower. If you look at book titles, any idiot can be a "Python Programmer in 24 hours" (Or in 30 days, or if a dummy, etc...). I'm not saying you'll be crap, but there are a lot of crap self-taught "web programmers" out there. If you're well educated, good at what you do and are doing a hard job, you get paid well. If you're average, and/or doing a job that only requires a lower-end skill set, you get paid accordingly.
posted by cgg at 8:16 AM on March 13, 2009
It took you 15 years to get to that point in your current field. Why would you expect the web dev world to be any better? Also consider that web dev is typically paid less than other types of more specialized programming jobs, for exactly this reason -- the barrier for entry is so much lower. If you look at book titles, any idiot can be a "Python Programmer in 24 hours" (Or in 30 days, or if a dummy, etc...). I'm not saying you'll be crap, but there are a lot of crap self-taught "web programmers" out there. If you're well educated, good at what you do and are doing a hard job, you get paid well. If you're average, and/or doing a job that only requires a lower-end skill set, you get paid accordingly.
posted by cgg at 8:16 AM on March 13, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks for all your input so far.
I understand the issues around cost related to offshore resources (I work for a software company today). I guess going back to school for a CS degree is a reasonable step - and would result in much more skill set validation / better core development.
What is a reasonable starting salary for entry-level?
It's frustrating (and my own fault) to be in mid-stage of a career that you have no passion for, but are somewhat locked in due to a standard of living (which isn't extravagant by any means).
posted by revan at 8:43 AM on March 13, 2009
I understand the issues around cost related to offshore resources (I work for a software company today). I guess going back to school for a CS degree is a reasonable step - and would result in much more skill set validation / better core development.
What is a reasonable starting salary for entry-level?
It's frustrating (and my own fault) to be in mid-stage of a career that you have no passion for, but are somewhat locked in due to a standard of living (which isn't extravagant by any means).
posted by revan at 8:43 AM on March 13, 2009
Anyone else offended that revan just naturally assumed all coders read harry potter? I had to google it.
I have a bs in cs and over the past ~5 years post graduation I've achieved what you're discussing more or less as your bare minimum. (your target is easy to achieve but difficult to maintain in the tech field right now, if you know what i mean). Considering the current economic climate I am holding onto my job like it was my balls.
Best of luck.
posted by judge.mentok.the.mindtaker at 8:51 AM on March 13, 2009
I have a bs in cs and over the past ~5 years post graduation I've achieved what you're discussing more or less as your bare minimum. (your target is easy to achieve but difficult to maintain in the tech field right now, if you know what i mean). Considering the current economic climate I am holding onto my job like it was my balls.
Best of luck.
posted by judge.mentok.the.mindtaker at 8:51 AM on March 13, 2009
If you schmooze or work really really really hard, this is doable in a year or two (area depending.. might I reccomend NYC over Boston?)
By difficult to maintain, I assume judge.mentok means any job that is willing to pay a newb that much money, is probably just as willing to fire someone who's had a raise or two whenever the budget gets out of whack. It's just bad management to pay much more than average (or much less, while we are at it).
If I were you, I'd aim lower at first, and higher within 5 years (40k - 90k, for example). I assume that some skills you've learned over the last 15 years are transferable to _any_ job. This may be an edge especially when it comes to managerial/programming mix jobs wherein most of the experienced progs not already managing have no interest in doing so.
posted by shownomercy at 9:02 AM on March 13, 2009
By difficult to maintain, I assume judge.mentok means any job that is willing to pay a newb that much money, is probably just as willing to fire someone who's had a raise or two whenever the budget gets out of whack. It's just bad management to pay much more than average (or much less, while we are at it).
If I were you, I'd aim lower at first, and higher within 5 years (40k - 90k, for example). I assume that some skills you've learned over the last 15 years are transferable to _any_ job. This may be an edge especially when it comes to managerial/programming mix jobs wherein most of the experienced progs not already managing have no interest in doing so.
posted by shownomercy at 9:02 AM on March 13, 2009
The first company that I worked for out of university wouldn't even look at a programmer's resume if the applicant didn't have a BS in computer science or management information systems. I have a BS in MIS and started at $56K in 2003 (in urban TX). Normally I'd assume starting salaries are generally higher now, but of course the economy totally sucks, so who knows.
posted by transporter accident amy at 9:06 AM on March 13, 2009
posted by transporter accident amy at 9:06 AM on March 13, 2009
...a wife and two kids, living in the high cost of living state of MA. I am interested in web development and am learning Python as a way to get started in programming and am very interested in the possibility of changing my career.
A career change is always possible (I think), but it is hectic. I think you should look at getting rid of that mortgage ASAP, while you have a steady and reliable income, and if possible moving. I know you said you don't want to sell the house and all, but MA will not be your friend if you're looking to start up as a freelancer, as far as I know. Not only will you not be in a tech hotspot (not necessary at all, really, but helpful if you have no contacts to start out), but MA's taxes are pretty terrible compared to other states' in the country, as I'm sure you know, being in finance.
If this is something you're really serious about and that your wife and kids will support you in over time (Have you spoken to them about this and your dislike of your current job?), I think you should consider a state where you can more safely start out (i.e., not have all of your earned money pouring into the state). The closest state to you now with good business tax laws is New Hampshire (8th best in the U.S. in the 2009 State Business Tax Climate Index). Everything else is out west or Florida.
Clearly you wouldn't move as soon as you got into programming; nor would you quit your job too quickly. However, if you find that you like programming, are getting enough work in it to warrant doing it full time and think you can either freelance or get into a web development business, you should probably consider pretty soon the fact that you are in a state that you need more money in to live comfortably, or at least as you are now. You will almost assuredly not make as much in programming as you are now--not for many, many years. Somewhere, I think, there will have to be a compromise, but it will be worth it (imho) if it changes your work happiness.
Is it reasonable to assume that, once I am proficient in Python and start branching out into other languages that are in more demand, I can find a job at a starting salary around $75k (a minimum that would allow us to support our cost of living) – with the expectations that I can get to six figures within 5 years? One overriding assumption is that my cost of living is pretty much fixed (i.e. I’m not going to sell my house).
With few exceptions, I've not heard of many starting salaries like that, particularly for individuals that have little to no experience and/or no degree related to programming. I think you should consider freelancing to either (a) work your way up to that kind of money, which is certainly possible, or (b) get some experience, be really good at it, then apply to some high end places, either full-time or contractually.
If you don't enjoy what you're doing, you need to get out of it somehow. Misery and annoyance aren't too good for the body or mind. That being said, you can't have your cake and eat it too. If you want this badly enough, I think you'll have to sacrifice, probably by way of moving to a place that is more accommodating and flexible for you to try out what you want.
Having a few meetings with a good (read: practical, logical) career counselor as you become more proficient in programming may be worthwhile, too. They can help you make a switch.
posted by metalheart at 9:10 AM on March 13, 2009
A career change is always possible (I think), but it is hectic. I think you should look at getting rid of that mortgage ASAP, while you have a steady and reliable income, and if possible moving. I know you said you don't want to sell the house and all, but MA will not be your friend if you're looking to start up as a freelancer, as far as I know. Not only will you not be in a tech hotspot (not necessary at all, really, but helpful if you have no contacts to start out), but MA's taxes are pretty terrible compared to other states' in the country, as I'm sure you know, being in finance.
If this is something you're really serious about and that your wife and kids will support you in over time (Have you spoken to them about this and your dislike of your current job?), I think you should consider a state where you can more safely start out (i.e., not have all of your earned money pouring into the state). The closest state to you now with good business tax laws is New Hampshire (8th best in the U.S. in the 2009 State Business Tax Climate Index). Everything else is out west or Florida.
Clearly you wouldn't move as soon as you got into programming; nor would you quit your job too quickly. However, if you find that you like programming, are getting enough work in it to warrant doing it full time and think you can either freelance or get into a web development business, you should probably consider pretty soon the fact that you are in a state that you need more money in to live comfortably, or at least as you are now. You will almost assuredly not make as much in programming as you are now--not for many, many years. Somewhere, I think, there will have to be a compromise, but it will be worth it (imho) if it changes your work happiness.
Is it reasonable to assume that, once I am proficient in Python and start branching out into other languages that are in more demand, I can find a job at a starting salary around $75k (a minimum that would allow us to support our cost of living) – with the expectations that I can get to six figures within 5 years? One overriding assumption is that my cost of living is pretty much fixed (i.e. I’m not going to sell my house).
With few exceptions, I've not heard of many starting salaries like that, particularly for individuals that have little to no experience and/or no degree related to programming. I think you should consider freelancing to either (a) work your way up to that kind of money, which is certainly possible, or (b) get some experience, be really good at it, then apply to some high end places, either full-time or contractually.
If you don't enjoy what you're doing, you need to get out of it somehow. Misery and annoyance aren't too good for the body or mind. That being said, you can't have your cake and eat it too. If you want this badly enough, I think you'll have to sacrifice, probably by way of moving to a place that is more accommodating and flexible for you to try out what you want.
Having a few meetings with a good (read: practical, logical) career counselor as you become more proficient in programming may be worthwhile, too. They can help you make a switch.
posted by metalheart at 9:10 AM on March 13, 2009
I'd say starting at 75k without a relevant degree or experience is out of the question. In Boston, you've got a ton of people right out of college who want to stay in the area and are able and willing to write code for a lot less (think ~50k).
Now if you do really well and outshine the other hackers for a couple of years, you could hit 75k or more, no problem.
posted by originalname37 at 9:19 AM on March 13, 2009
Now if you do really well and outshine the other hackers for a couple of years, you could hit 75k or more, no problem.
posted by originalname37 at 9:19 AM on March 13, 2009
Go to local Python user group meetings ... see where people are working, get a sense of demand.
I think specialization is important if you want to leapfrog more experienced candidates. For example, solid skills relating to virtualization (cloud computing) or map/reduce might get you picked in a workplace where they are having related problems.
posted by samsm at 10:00 AM on March 13, 2009
I think specialization is important if you want to leapfrog more experienced candidates. For example, solid skills relating to virtualization (cloud computing) or map/reduce might get you picked in a workplace where they are having related problems.
posted by samsm at 10:00 AM on March 13, 2009
Am I the only person who thinks this is plausible? Well, maybe not in web development, but in programming in general. When I graduated (just after the .com bust, in 2003), large companies, e.g., MS, were paying over $75k for people with no experience, and I know a guy who didn't have a high school degree, let alone a CS degree, who landed a job at Google. Nowadays, I know people here in Austin who have six figure salaries with only a year or two of experience; I imagine salaries are higher up there in MA.
You'll probably need to know more than just Python (C++ and Java are the major ones, though I'm not proficient with either, and it was never a problem) for that type of job, though. You might have a hard time getting an interview at a place like MS without a CS degree unless you can point to something awesome that you've done (the guy I mentioned before was ranked 3rd or 4th on topcoder, and other people I know with non-traditional backgrounds had cool projects that they'd done in their spare time). Once you get an interview at one of these giant companies, you'll need to be able to answer basic undergrad CS questions in algorithms, operating systems, etc., e.g., one guy asked me to implement red-black trees without mutable state, and another guy asked me to prove or disprove that any subsequence of a decidable language is decidable. These aren't really hard, but you'll probably have to pick up a few textbooks and work through the exercises (or sit through a bunch of CS courses) to pick up the basic techniques.
How about working on an open source or shareware project in your spare time? Maybe you'll find programming to be more of a bore than accounting, in which case you'll save yourself a lot of pain by finding out sooner rather than later, and maybe you'll love it, in which case you'll have a neat-o project to show off to when you interview.
posted by suncoursing at 10:50 AM on March 13, 2009
You'll probably need to know more than just Python (C++ and Java are the major ones, though I'm not proficient with either, and it was never a problem) for that type of job, though. You might have a hard time getting an interview at a place like MS without a CS degree unless you can point to something awesome that you've done (the guy I mentioned before was ranked 3rd or 4th on topcoder, and other people I know with non-traditional backgrounds had cool projects that they'd done in their spare time). Once you get an interview at one of these giant companies, you'll need to be able to answer basic undergrad CS questions in algorithms, operating systems, etc., e.g., one guy asked me to implement red-black trees without mutable state, and another guy asked me to prove or disprove that any subsequence of a decidable language is decidable. These aren't really hard, but you'll probably have to pick up a few textbooks and work through the exercises (or sit through a bunch of CS courses) to pick up the basic techniques.
How about working on an open source or shareware project in your spare time? Maybe you'll find programming to be more of a bore than accounting, in which case you'll save yourself a lot of pain by finding out sooner rather than later, and maybe you'll love it, in which case you'll have a neat-o project to show off to when you interview.
posted by suncoursing at 10:50 AM on March 13, 2009
Response by poster: "How about working on an open source or shareware project in your spare time? Maybe you'll find programming to be more of a bore than accounting, in which case you'll save yourself a lot of pain by finding out sooner rather than later, and maybe you'll love it, in which case you'll have a neat-o project to show off to when you interview.
posted by suncoursing at 10:50 AM on March 13 [mark as best answer] [+] [!] "
Awesome Idea and thank you!
A couple of things in response to other posts as well. One of the things I didn't identify about myself is that for the majority of my career I've worked as a Controller in venture backed start-ups (hardware, software, internet). So my notions of salary are based on my experience seeing starting salaries for developers through here. Also, considering my start-up experience - it is possible to leverage that in a small early stage venture and getting the opportunity to program at the same time.
One point about selling my house and moving, I have to believe Massachusetts is better than most to attempt to make the switch. I take my "provider" role in my family very seriously - and would never put my career happiness ahead of my families happiness and tear them away from family, school, social systems that they have lived in their whole lives. My wife is supportive of me finding deeper meaning in my work.
I like the idea of going freelance part time and working on projects at a lower fee (heck - I'd even do it for free to build experience). Also, the opportunity to sit in on my current companies development meetings to begin an understanding of a multi-coder environment may work as well.
posted by revan at 11:14 AM on March 13, 2009
posted by suncoursing at 10:50 AM on March 13 [mark as best answer] [+] [!] "
Awesome Idea and thank you!
A couple of things in response to other posts as well. One of the things I didn't identify about myself is that for the majority of my career I've worked as a Controller in venture backed start-ups (hardware, software, internet). So my notions of salary are based on my experience seeing starting salaries for developers through here. Also, considering my start-up experience - it is possible to leverage that in a small early stage venture and getting the opportunity to program at the same time.
One point about selling my house and moving, I have to believe Massachusetts is better than most to attempt to make the switch. I take my "provider" role in my family very seriously - and would never put my career happiness ahead of my families happiness and tear them away from family, school, social systems that they have lived in their whole lives. My wife is supportive of me finding deeper meaning in my work.
I like the idea of going freelance part time and working on projects at a lower fee (heck - I'd even do it for free to build experience). Also, the opportunity to sit in on my current companies development meetings to begin an understanding of a multi-coder environment may work as well.
posted by revan at 11:14 AM on March 13, 2009
suncoursing ^^ yes.
if you're willing to work for the giant idio-corps and mainly do a job where you eat crow, lie about framework's abilities, and oversell yourself and your abilities, as opposed to actually writing code. then yes, totally possible.
You could walk in off the street and take that job. Just because people say it has to do with computing doesn't make it so.
If you have any kind of soul, 3 months in your either have to kill yourself or quit.
Like most other fields right now, if you have no self respect or dignity, there is plenty of money to be made.
posted by judge.mentok.the.mindtaker at 11:22 AM on March 13, 2009
if you're willing to work for the giant idio-corps and mainly do a job where you eat crow, lie about framework's abilities, and oversell yourself and your abilities, as opposed to actually writing code. then yes, totally possible.
You could walk in off the street and take that job. Just because people say it has to do with computing doesn't make it so.
If you have any kind of soul, 3 months in your either have to kill yourself or quit.
Like most other fields right now, if you have no self respect or dignity, there is plenty of money to be made.
posted by judge.mentok.the.mindtaker at 11:22 AM on March 13, 2009
Response by poster: one other thing - I am more than open to learning Java, C++, etc. - I felt that learning Python was a logical first step for someone not having any programming experience
posted by revan at 11:22 AM on March 13, 2009
posted by revan at 11:22 AM on March 13, 2009
++ on the open source and probono freelancing ideas tho. that's spot on.
posted by judge.mentok.the.mindtaker at 11:22 AM on March 13, 2009
posted by judge.mentok.the.mindtaker at 11:22 AM on March 13, 2009
For a self-taught programmer with no degree in computer science and few industry contacts? No.
This is patently false, says this degree-less self-taught programmer with 20+ years experience.
Software engineering is one of those industries where it matters what you can do more than degrees or contacts. Your interviews will give you the chance to prove your abilities on a whiteboard.
I've interviewed plenty of idiots with CS degrees who can't code their way out of a cubicle, and I'm not the only one. When I hire, I don't give a rat's ass about their schooling, only what they can get done during the day.
Joel On Software has an excellent article about hiring wherein he describes his criteria: 1) smart people who 2) get a lot done. No mention of language skills or any other specific technical knowledge.
posted by trinity8-director at 12:01 PM on March 13, 2009
This is patently false, says this degree-less self-taught programmer with 20+ years experience.
Software engineering is one of those industries where it matters what you can do more than degrees or contacts. Your interviews will give you the chance to prove your abilities on a whiteboard.
I've interviewed plenty of idiots with CS degrees who can't code their way out of a cubicle, and I'm not the only one. When I hire, I don't give a rat's ass about their schooling, only what they can get done during the day.
Joel On Software has an excellent article about hiring wherein he describes his criteria: 1) smart people who 2) get a lot done. No mention of language skills or any other specific technical knowledge.
posted by trinity8-director at 12:01 PM on March 13, 2009
one other thing - I am more than open to learning Java, C++, etc. - I felt that learning Python was a logical first step for someone not having any programming experience
Yeah, don't start with C++. If you end up liking programming and wantto learn more, you'll probably want to have Python, perl, or Ruby, in your toolkit anyway, and it's much easier to get started in one of those than it is to get started in C++.
if you're willing to work for the giant idio-corps and mainly do a job where you eat crow, lie about framework's abilities, and oversell yourself and your abilities, as opposed to actually writing code. then yes, totally possible.
You could walk in off the street and take that job. Just because people say it has to do with computing doesn't make it so.
This is, of course, highly dependent on what you considering fun, but I'd say that “giant idio-corps”, as you call them, are much more less likely to have the type of job you're deriding, and much more likely to have fun jobs. IMO, Microsoft Research probably has more people doing interesting work than all other software companies combined. To pick a not so random example, MS is one of only two companies that I can think of that actively hires complexity theorists (IBM/Almaden being the other). That's an extreme example – in more practical areas, like mechanism design, formal methods, etc. there's at least some hope of landing a job outside of an “idio-corp” or academia, but it's still true that the majority of those jobs are in the research arms of huge corporations.
Just so there's no confusion, this is completely tangential to the original topic. You'll have a very hard time getting a job like that without a Ph.D. or substantial research experience (but there are plenty of interesting non-research jobs at MS, too).
Coming back to the topic at hand, I just asked some of last year's new college grads what other offers they were looking at when they graduated, and MS, amazon, google, etc. were offering 80k-90k plus a signing bonus and options. There are some small companies (like us!) that try to compete with that, but not many.
On preview, I completely agree with trinity8. Once you get an interview, no one (worth talking to) will care what your credentials are, and you'll just need to prove that you're smart and can get things done. The hard part is convincing someone to give you a chance to prove you know what you're doing.
posted by suncoursing at 12:08 PM on March 13, 2009
Yeah, don't start with C++. If you end up liking programming and wantto learn more, you'll probably want to have Python, perl, or Ruby, in your toolkit anyway, and it's much easier to get started in one of those than it is to get started in C++.
if you're willing to work for the giant idio-corps and mainly do a job where you eat crow, lie about framework's abilities, and oversell yourself and your abilities, as opposed to actually writing code. then yes, totally possible.
You could walk in off the street and take that job. Just because people say it has to do with computing doesn't make it so.
This is, of course, highly dependent on what you considering fun, but I'd say that “giant idio-corps”, as you call them, are much more less likely to have the type of job you're deriding, and much more likely to have fun jobs. IMO, Microsoft Research probably has more people doing interesting work than all other software companies combined. To pick a not so random example, MS is one of only two companies that I can think of that actively hires complexity theorists (IBM/Almaden being the other). That's an extreme example – in more practical areas, like mechanism design, formal methods, etc. there's at least some hope of landing a job outside of an “idio-corp” or academia, but it's still true that the majority of those jobs are in the research arms of huge corporations.
Just so there's no confusion, this is completely tangential to the original topic. You'll have a very hard time getting a job like that without a Ph.D. or substantial research experience (but there are plenty of interesting non-research jobs at MS, too).
Coming back to the topic at hand, I just asked some of last year's new college grads what other offers they were looking at when they graduated, and MS, amazon, google, etc. were offering 80k-90k plus a signing bonus and options. There are some small companies (like us!) that try to compete with that, but not many.
On preview, I completely agree with trinity8. Once you get an interview, no one (worth talking to) will care what your credentials are, and you'll just need to prove that you're smart and can get things done. The hard part is convincing someone to give you a chance to prove you know what you're doing.
posted by suncoursing at 12:08 PM on March 13, 2009
I've been taking classes for CS at a local city college, working my towards the equivalent of an undergraduate degree so i can apply for a masters. I started with the first prerequisite and am just building from there.
Why not start there before you quit your job? Take a class, see how you like it.
posted by alkupe at 12:22 PM on March 13, 2009
Why not start there before you quit your job? Take a class, see how you like it.
posted by alkupe at 12:22 PM on March 13, 2009
It occurs to me that you could bring unque value by either working as a programmer for someone who makes accounting... err, stuff... or building a startup with a web-based accounting programme. There's only one out there that doesn't suck, and I think it's limited to personal finance.
posted by DarlingBri at 12:30 PM on March 13, 2009
posted by DarlingBri at 12:30 PM on March 13, 2009
As far as programming languages go, you could try looking into C# (C Sharp) or other parts of .NET, or you could look into PHP. In the corporate world you'll find more use of .NET, and in the freelance / small business world you'll probably find more PHP, although there is plenty of overlap.
While you'll need to know how about to use some programming languages, the highest priority is to learn about programming concepts. 90% of programming is knowing when to put in an "if" statement, when to make a loop, etc. The rest is just syntax, and anyone can Google that up. For example, I've never written anything in Python. But if I had to, all I would do is search up a resource on Python, look at some documentation and examples of the syntax, and I would already know how to do the rest.
If you are interested in web development, definitely make sure you know about modern HTML and CSS. They are not programming languages in the strictest sense, as they aren't a series of logical instructions for the computer to follow. Rather, they are used to "describe" how a website appears onscreen. To be a web developer, you don't need to know all about web design, but knowing how to setup a site so a designer can easily apply a nice layout is valuable. Also, don't forget to learn about databases and SQL, because almost every complex website has a database behind it.
You can probably put your accounting knowledge to good use, as there are tons of accounting applications (and even more transaction processing applications) being developed all the time by lots of companies.
Definitely look into freelancing or running your own small business. I'm 24 and I quit my entry-level corporate job as a .NET web developer (earning $60k / year) about 1 year ago to start my own home-based freelance web development business. Occasionally I work hard, but I mostly get way more free time than I had before, and I'm currently pulling in about $80k+ / year, and I expect that to rise. I mostly deal with PHP and classic ASP (not used so widely these days), and a few .NET projects.
If you want to put your skills to the test and learn some more as you go, you could try finding some freelance jobs (you can find them online, Google for freelance job boards), or you could get involved in some open source projects, or you cold just build some of your own projects. Either way you'll get some experience. Good luck!
posted by Eastgate at 7:58 PM on March 13, 2009 [3 favorites]
While you'll need to know how about to use some programming languages, the highest priority is to learn about programming concepts. 90% of programming is knowing when to put in an "if" statement, when to make a loop, etc. The rest is just syntax, and anyone can Google that up. For example, I've never written anything in Python. But if I had to, all I would do is search up a resource on Python, look at some documentation and examples of the syntax, and I would already know how to do the rest.
If you are interested in web development, definitely make sure you know about modern HTML and CSS. They are not programming languages in the strictest sense, as they aren't a series of logical instructions for the computer to follow. Rather, they are used to "describe" how a website appears onscreen. To be a web developer, you don't need to know all about web design, but knowing how to setup a site so a designer can easily apply a nice layout is valuable. Also, don't forget to learn about databases and SQL, because almost every complex website has a database behind it.
You can probably put your accounting knowledge to good use, as there are tons of accounting applications (and even more transaction processing applications) being developed all the time by lots of companies.
Definitely look into freelancing or running your own small business. I'm 24 and I quit my entry-level corporate job as a .NET web developer (earning $60k / year) about 1 year ago to start my own home-based freelance web development business. Occasionally I work hard, but I mostly get way more free time than I had before, and I'm currently pulling in about $80k+ / year, and I expect that to rise. I mostly deal with PHP and classic ASP (not used so widely these days), and a few .NET projects.
If you want to put your skills to the test and learn some more as you go, you could try finding some freelance jobs (you can find them online, Google for freelance job boards), or you could get involved in some open source projects, or you cold just build some of your own projects. Either way you'll get some experience. Good luck!
posted by Eastgate at 7:58 PM on March 13, 2009 [3 favorites]
Yes, it should be entirely possible for you to make the transition.
Start to think like a programmer and be methodical about it: approach this like a problem to be solved, identify possible solutions and work towards resolving them one step at a time.
Off the top of my head:
- I assume you already have a degree, although in an unrelated field ? If yes, that's good. If no, errr ... it's better if you have one.
- Take college credits for the core CS subjects during your spare time (minimally data structures, some discrete math, concepts of programming languages, etc.)
- Grab as many programming certs as you reasonably think is possible. Unfortunately this usually means the more 'boring' stuffs like Java, .NET.
- Start contributing to open source projects as much as you are capable of. This serves as resume booster and shows that you know how to work in a team (although in a less formal context).
- If possible, take up freelance works. Use your accounting connection from your previous job, advertise yourself to small businesses and put a lot of emphasis on your biz/finance background (i.e. you'd know the business angle that they are looking at, and hey, you're technical too).
And the last paragraph from sunsourcing above is worth repeating because it's true:
Once you get an interview, no one (worth talking to) will care what your credentials are, and you'll just need to prove that you're smart and can get things done. The hard part is convincing someone to give you a chance to prove you know what you're doing.
posted by joewandy at 10:28 PM on March 18, 2009
Start to think like a programmer and be methodical about it: approach this like a problem to be solved, identify possible solutions and work towards resolving them one step at a time.
Off the top of my head:
- I assume you already have a degree, although in an unrelated field ? If yes, that's good. If no, errr ... it's better if you have one.
- Take college credits for the core CS subjects during your spare time (minimally data structures, some discrete math, concepts of programming languages, etc.)
- Grab as many programming certs as you reasonably think is possible. Unfortunately this usually means the more 'boring' stuffs like Java, .NET.
- Start contributing to open source projects as much as you are capable of. This serves as resume booster and shows that you know how to work in a team (although in a less formal context).
- If possible, take up freelance works. Use your accounting connection from your previous job, advertise yourself to small businesses and put a lot of emphasis on your biz/finance background (i.e. you'd know the business angle that they are looking at, and hey, you're technical too).
And the last paragraph from sunsourcing above is worth repeating because it's true:
Once you get an interview, no one (worth talking to) will care what your credentials are, and you'll just need to prove that you're smart and can get things done. The hard part is convincing someone to give you a chance to prove you know what you're doing.
posted by joewandy at 10:28 PM on March 18, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
It certainly is possible for that to happen if you take the time to take a well-regarded computer science degree and manage to get an offer from a firm that provides good promotions. A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement. Even then, your salary expectations are a best case scenario and not a given.
posted by crazycanuck at 7:52 AM on March 13, 2009