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Switching from Another Industry to Engineering/CS?

Posted by Cliff on from the jumping-tracks dept.

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?"

13 of 886 comments (clear)

  1. Sure shot... by btlzu2 · · Score: 5, Funny

    How can an old newcomer break into the industry?

    I'd recommend this...

    --
    Zed's dead baby. Zed's dead.
    1. Re:Sure shot... by TelcusFreshbreeze · · Score: 5, Funny
      Or.......Become an IT manager and send other people to India!

      Cha-ching!

    2. Re:Sure shot... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      I think EVERYBODY should have an above average salary.

      D

  2. Move to India by hoggoth · · Score: 4, Funny

    1) Switch from Medicine to Computer Science
    2) Move to India
    3) ??
    4) Profit!

    --
    - For the complete works of Shakespeare: cat /dev/random (may take some time)
  3. -1 Troll by hoggoth · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is the first time I've seen a TROLL ARTICLE!

    --
    - For the complete works of Shakespeare: cat /dev/random (may take some time)
    1. Re:-1 Troll by gregfortune · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'd say you're new here, but that's a pretty low uid. What's *your* excuse? :)

  4. Insulting question by jelson · · Score: 5, Funny

    This question is insulting.

    How would you feel if you got the following question from a patient?

    I am a computer scientist, but contemplating a career change perhaps 5 to 10 years down the road. In addition to computers, what I've always loved is anatomy and biology, and I think I have a pretty good appreciation for both. What tips could medical industry insiders offer to one who is willing to pursue an independent educational path towards a career in a Medical field? I'd like to start operating on people right away; Gray's Anatomy seems like a good guide, though I apparently can't get a license by reading it. How can an old newcomer break into the industry?

  5. Re:Jeepers... by Soko · · Score: 5, Funny

    I always thought doctors were supposed to be smart.

    I thought the same about my fellow geeks. To wit:

    Unless you got stuck being an anusologist, stay with medicine.

    Anusologist? I believe proctologist is the correct term - google is your friend.

    Actually, I think SCO could realy, really use a computer person who is also a skilled proctologist - that way someone would be there to remove Darl's head from his ass.

    Soko

    --
    "Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm." - Anonymous
  6. Six Step program by Boglin · · Score: 5, Funny
    1. Send me your picture
    2. If we look alike, we'll trade lives
    3. You become a low level coder.
    4. I get arrested for practicing medicine without a liscense.
    5. We sell the movie rights to our story (Rowan Atkinson will play both parts).
    6. There is NO number six.
    7. Profit
  7. Advice by lone_marauder · · Score: 4, Funny
    So you want to get into the IT field? Great. Here's some tips:
    • Get your buggy from a drugstore. When the cops bust your panhandling, they're less likely to care about it than if you'd taken one from Wal-Mart.
    • Plastic makes great insulation. ensconce yourself in piles of it in the city park to keep warm at night.
    • Don't work the same street corner more than once a week. It annoys the commuters and they'll give you less and less, even if you've found a really good spot.
    • Don't dig through trash in the summer. It isn't worth it.
    • Always keep your exit strategy in mind. You could always work for the mob or become an Alaskan crab fisherman.
    --
    who are those slashdot people? they swept over like Mongol-Tartars.
  8. Re:Medicine + Electrical Engineering = Prosthetics by Skyfire · · Score: 4, Funny

    Hey, especially if Bush gets reelected!
    More wars = More lost limbs = more demand for prosthetics = Profit!

    --
    Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
  9. Cheap shot but ... by lawrencekhoo · · Score: 4, Funny

    keep in mind most of the people I know aren't even getting the average.

    That's especially sad since here at Lake Woebegone, all the children are above average.

  10. Exactly, find a Niche. by Stone316 · · Score: 4, Funny
    If your really interested in getting into IT your best bet is to find a job that requires a background in medicine.

    I'm sure there are plenty of companies out there that would love to have a CS person that has a strong background in medicine. You would probably have valuable insight that a normal CS person wouldn't have because of your experiences.

    I have a Doctor friend and one thing i've noticed is that they have alot of contacts in the pharmaceutical industry. I would think that some of these companies are developing software for your industry and would be looking for someone with your experience.

    --
    "Thanks to the remote control I have the attention span of a gerbil."