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Ask Slashdot: How Do I Change Tech Careers At 30?

Posted by timothy on from the question-is-will-you-trust-yourself-next-year? dept.

First time accepted submitter possiblybored writes "I'm 30, and I am a technology teacher and the school's technology coordinator. I like my job, but I have been having thoughts about switching careers and focusing more on technology in the private sector. I like Microsoft products and would head in that direction, probably. Is it too late for me to think about this? What is the best way to get started on this path? I'm not so much interested in programming (though I'd like to learn a language some day) as much as I am intrigued by topics like setting up e-mail servers, reading about cloud stuff like Office 365, and looking at information on collaborative technology. I'm a good teacher and excel at explaining things as well. Any advice the community could offer would be greatly appreciated!"

11 of 451 comments (clear)

  1. Follow your fascination by MtnDeusExMachina · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Whatever you love doing, do more of it. Then just be sensitive, and maybe a little aggressive, about pursuing leads that naturally arise from your avocation.

  2. Apply to jobs by NoImNotNineVolt · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You're talking about breaking into the IT industry, not politics.

    Start applying for help desk jobs. Yes, it really is that simple.

    --
    Chuuch. Preach. Tabernacle.
    1. Re:Apply to jobs by NoImNotNineVolt · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I'm 31 and seriously looking into getting out of software development.

      It was cool when I was 14. It was still doable when I was 23. Now it's soul-crushing.

      I wish I was a farmer or a carpenter.

      --
      Chuuch. Preach. Tabernacle.
    2. Re:Apply to jobs by NoImNotNineVolt · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I'm already "principal software developer" (team lead?); I really, really, really have no interested in moving over to management. I'm sure I could love being a developer if there were any jobs coding assembly, C, hell even perl. It's 2014 though. The era of coding is virtually gone. All we do now is beat various frameworks into submission. The influx of buzzwords over the last decade or so has really made it unbearable, adding insult to injury. Fuck Spring, fuck agile, and fuck this whole industry.

      Ironically, I used to do menial electrical work after high school. At the time, I thought it was horrible. The grass is always greener...

      --
      Chuuch. Preach. Tabernacle.
  3. Too late at 30!?!? by mcrbids · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Bwha ha ha ha ha!!!

    Just how old do you think you *are*, sonny boy? 30 is just barely dry behind the ears! Truth is that there is lots of room for anybody in the tech field who is *competent*. So be competent!

    It does help to be somewhat charismatic and hygienic.

    --
    I have no problem with your religion until you decide it's reason to deprive others of the truth.
  4. Microsoft is on decline by Framboise · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Think about the fate of dinosaurs that were replaced by smaller more agile mammals when difficult times came...

  5. you describe a "teacher" by mexsudo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Your goal as described would indicate you want to be a teacher!

  6. Those who can do, those who can't teach. by santax · · Score: 4, Insightful

    After reading your question this one came to my mind. Those who can do, those who can't teach. But it does makes me wonder what you are teaching these kids if you have to ask us how to get a job in the tech-world. I hope your pupils won't have to ask that same question.

  7. Career advice from Yoda by steveha · · Score: 4, Insightful

    If once you start down the Microsoft path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will...

    Seriously, Microsoft is in decline, and already has a bunch of people trained up in it. You should consider learning mobile development for Android, iOS, or both. If you want to learn server-side stuff I would learn the open stack: Linux, MySQL and/or Postgres, maybe Hadoop.

    --
    lf(1): it's like ls(1) but sorts filenames by extension, tersely
  8. Re:Troll by HornWumpus · · Score: 4, Insightful

    He's 30 and he doesn't know a single programming language. No scripting, no Javascript...

    He is where he belongs.

    --
    John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
  9. Re:Ok by The+Cat · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I haven't had a boss for 15 years and I'm more successful now than I ever was in a corporate job.

    I also can't be fired. Know why? Because firing me requires my approval.

    I'm also intelligent enough to see reality even in the face of being heckled by those who don't know any better.

    You keep punching that clock, Jim.