Key to this were the oppotunities I was given by the head of the software development team. She let me take on responsibilities the Systems Analysts were traditionally not allowed to touch. We had an agreement: as long as I was fulfilling all the Systems Analyst reqs, I could additionally work on development items. I started on simple maintenance (html code checking, actuate form building), and then a small Java/Silverstream project. Once I received my Sun Java Programmer certification, I had a 3rd-party assessment of my skills that allowed me to migrate to the software consulting company. To learn Java, I read 2 books and wrote my own simple game.
When I arrived in IT, I knew how to model data, build databases, and perform sophisticated SQL queries, as well as the normal financial analyst skills (excel models, etc, etc). I did not know anything about programming or computer science - so I read voraciously, and I mean voraciously.
I graduated with degrees in International Business (heavy in finance) and History. Then I worked as an investment analyst for Goldman Sachs; got tired of the suits, bureaucracy, and lack of creativity, so I ended up trasnferring to the IT department after 1 year. After a stint as a Systems Analyst, I weedled my way onto the development team (but got no respect). After 1.5 years in IT at that company I joined a software consulting company that finalized my transformation into a Software Engineer. Now I own my own software consulting company.
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Key to this were the oppotunities I was given by the head of the software development team. She let me take on responsibilities the Systems Analysts were traditionally not allowed to touch. We had an agreement: as long as I was fulfilling all the Systems Analyst reqs, I could additionally work on development items. I started on simple maintenance (html code checking, actuate form building), and then a small Java/Silverstream project. Once I received my Sun Java Programmer certification, I had a 3rd-party assessment of my skills that allowed me to migrate to the software consulting company. To learn Java, I read 2 books and wrote my own simple game. When I arrived in IT, I knew how to model data, build databases, and perform sophisticated SQL queries, as well as the normal financial analyst skills (excel models, etc, etc). I did not know anything about programming or computer science - so I read voraciously, and I mean voraciously.
I graduated with degrees in International Business (heavy in finance) and History. Then I worked as an investment analyst for Goldman Sachs; got tired of the suits, bureaucracy, and lack of creativity, so I ended up trasnferring to the IT department after 1 year. After a stint as a Systems Analyst, I weedled my way onto the development team (but got no respect). After 1.5 years in IT at that company I joined a software consulting company that finalized my transformation into a Software Engineer. Now I own my own software consulting company.