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Re-Tooling Your Skills for the Future?

Posted by Cliff on from the keeping-competitive-in-today's-job-market dept.

nojayuk asks: " Over the decades I've re-skilled myself several times, from mainframe FORTRAN through minicomputer PASCAL to microcomputer C. In between I've done microcontroller development and programming in Assembler, robotics, graphics design and 3-D animation for TV, PC build and repair, Website design etc. Currently I'm looking for work and I'm wondering what new skills do I need to stay in the computing biz. What OSes do I need to know, what technologies do I have to have under my belt for the employers to come hunting for me instead of me passing my obsolete CV around and being told to get lost? I'm looking for advice, not just for next week but for a few years down the line. What can I do to acquire these essential new skills?"

4 of 590 comments (clear)

  1. Read Dilbert by mirko · · Score: 5, Funny

    Actually it sounds like a joke but you shouldlook for buzzwords :
    Learn Java, XML, or try to convert yourself to System Administration... You can also get some Oracle DBA certification or, if you don't mind the philosophico-political issues, get an MSCP (Microsoft Certified Professional)...
    Well, the choice is yours but look for whatever sounds the most expensive *and* the biggest : Programming a desktop computer is not as promising as administering a cluster of Sun E10k...
    Bon courage :)

    --
    Trolling using another account since 2005.
  2. Learn new skills, unlearn the old by 91degrees · · Score: 4, Funny

    Firstly, forget C. This language is hardly ever used, so you might as well leave more room in your brains for something a little more useful. I'd also avoid learning Java. It's a mature language. Nobody is interested anymore unless you have at least 10 years experience.

    Up and coming technologies are the more specialised areas such as Occam and INTERCAL programming. People witht these skill are rarely out of work

    I'd also suggest singing lessons. A more formal working environment like that in IBM's early days is becoming typical, and as we all know, IBM used to have company songs. What better way of climbing the career ladder than showing this sort of team spirit.

  3. Smart guy! by martingunnarsson · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wow, he managed to get his job ad on slashdot! Ten bucks this will get him a job!

    --
    Martin
  4. Obviously... by Hard_Code · · Score: 3, Funny

    You have to leverage your existing skill-based assets to synergize with strategic technical learning opportunities so that you are empowered to become the mobile information architect of the future.

    Duh.

    And case mods. Make sure you have lots of case mods. Those are cool. You can be a web typist in no time!

    --

    It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?