Slashdot Mirror
Switching from Another Industry to Engineering/CS?
WomensHealth asks: "I am a physician, but contemplating a career change perhaps 5 to 10 years down the road. In addition to medicine, what I've always loved is computers and technology, and I think I have a pretty good appreciation for both. What tips could computer industry insiders offer to one who is willing to pursue an independent educational path towards a career in a Computer Science field? MIT's OpenCourseWare seems well put-together, though one can't get a degree using it. How can an old newcomer break into the industry?"
I really hate to be so blunt
I will really enjoy being so blunt here.
The poster didn't ask for your opinion of IF a career change should be made. How about answering the question that was asked?
"Hi. This is my friend, Jack Shit, and you don't know him." - Lord Kano
FROM YOUR OWN WEB PAGE: "Although I trace my roots to the town of Rajkot in Gujarat, India, I was born in the city of Calcutta, India..."
I was going to say it as a joke, but apparently, it is quite real for you. You're from India! So it makes sense that someone you know went from a city cop to a chip designer, doesn't it?
This isn't the advice our American friend should follow. Unless he enjoys $15k/year.
The problem with this theory is that EVERYTHING can be done cheaper elsewhere. Someone spends four to ten years becoming qualified in a field and then finds themselves needing to switch fields? That's not a "short-run" hit. That's life destroying. I've already spent $75,000 on my undergraduate education. That currently costs me more than my housing to pay back. It's abusive. Bangalore University has TWO seats for international students per department. My university had hundreds and had less than 5000 students total Bangalore has several hundred thousand students. Unless they have 25,000 academic departments, what gives? TWO FUCKING SEATS? So even if I as an American decided that I could afford to get my education in India, no, I'd be competing for one of two seats--with the entire rest of the world. On the other hand, an Indian can come study in the United States and just about any university will welcome with open arms. India needs to be taken to task on this. Have they ever heard of "reciprocity?" You want to send a couple hundred thousand people to the United States to work and as many to study? Fine. Our population is 1/5th yours. Where are our 1,000,000 long term visas for studying and working in YOUR country? If they're not forthcoming, screw you, India.