Bend me, shape me

August 16, 2007 1:27 PM

Help me find employers willing to train smart, talented folks in a new field.

I am currently a technical writer, with a background in English lit, engineering, and film editing. Needless to say, I'm a curious guy, interested in learning new skills and knowledge. However, I'm also a husband, father, and homeowner with little time or finances to return to school full-time.

A friend pointed me towards Epic Systems, a Madison, WI-based software company. Many of their positions call for smart, motivated people that they will then train for their job. This idea appeals to me, since it doesn't require me to go back to school and I stay gainfully employed (versus an unpaid internship/apprenticeship). Can any MeFites point me towards companies with a similar philosophy towards hiring/training? I'd prefer a technical or multimedia employer, but I'm open to anything which sounds fun and intellectually stimulating (i.e. no customer service jobs). I currently live in Austin, TX, so I'm partial to places with a liberal bent. However, again, I'm open to any and all suggestions.

posted by nightengine to Work & Money (5 answers total)

It is true about Epic. The hire "smart" people and train nearly everyone. But, most of the people that work there travel more than 50%, so maybe not a good match for a father.
posted by sulaine at 1:43 PM on August 16, 2007

Try a major university. They probably have a lot of opening for staff with technical skills. I found that they paid less in exchange they give more responsiblity and are more willing to bring you along. (they also tend to have excellent benefits)
posted by metahawk at 1:59 PM on August 16, 2007

Try accenture. They have offices in San Antonio and Austin. You may have to travel depending on your project, but there are lot of opportunities to work from home. They have numerous technical positions available. They're big on hiring talent, and then teaching neccesary jobs skills later on. They are extremely corporate. But with each new project you're learning a new company, software and processes.
posted by vionnett at 2:12 PM on August 16, 2007

Epic trains you for their jobs because they want you to be obsessed with nothing but them, their software and their company. They will then proceed to burn you out and replace you.
Their definition of "smart" relies entirely upon SAT scores and college grades, which I find to be horrible predictors of real-world skills.

Moreover, their uberproprietary attitude probably stands in the way of developing more KNOWLEDGE as opposed to corporate coping mechanisms.

I hated working there.
posted by Madamina at 2:32 PM on August 16, 2007

Try getting a technical writing job at National Instruments. I work there. It seems like once you're in, they'll let you make crazy department leaps, whether you have experience or not.
posted by lunalaguna at 6:17 PM on August 16, 2007