IT jobs and careers

[crackaton]

Hi guys. Some years back I was gainfully employeed in IT. But due to the downturn was forced into another occupation. I am just wondering what peoples experiences are in the It world nowdays? Are there still positions available in say software engineering db management etc. I'm fed up doing my present job, but find it hard to get back into IT because the first question is where/when did you last work. Well I worked for blah blah blah and they have moved on and frankly I don't know anyone in the It world anymore. Any suggestions or do i just start from scratch again? Thanks

 

[son of baglimit]

i too was employed in that overpaid, under utilised world of IT. great job - all the sleep you could get, the latest PC's to play games on (when the testers went home), mainframes that needed sticky tape & string (yes really) to hold the pieces together - great days. now just bumming around the public service, never to know again that wonderous world.

sorry no idea cracka - but not looking either.

 

[ghotib]

Software engineering db management etc.... Well there ought to be something there, especially in etc.

Everyone I still know in the field is either complaining that they're understaffed or talking about their contracts, but I don't think anyone is earning what they did in the glory days, I don't think the fun has come back, and I think chances to experiment are very rare.

Except in software for the customs department of course.

My only suggestion would be to take some courses so that you have current certificates to wave even if you don't have a current job. Wouldn't hurt to find an extracurricular project too. You know the sort of thing: designed and implemented database application for local slotcar club using Web-based interface to an Oracle database on a Commodore 64.

Good luck

Ghoti

 

[lewstherin]

I've contracted at a few gigs in Perth, and still am contracting at the moment at a state government department.
Right now theres a good demand for IT ppl over here, but its getting very "cliquey" - ie. specific skill sets are needed (ERP skills, Java skills etc). I'm a bit of an all-rounder (Business Analysis, Coding, whatever) and have found it difficult to get the really high-end stuff because I haen't enough specialist experience...
But yeah, its prolly a good time to make the move if you really want to.

 

[crackaton]

Thanks for the input guys. Might look at upgrading skills with some certifications and do a bit of volunteer work. Any idea the best way to get the various certification Is online the way to go? I noticed computer power went down the gurgler, so perhaps the local TAFE or similiar might offer short courses? Thanks again.

 

[mit]

I'm in IT (Have been for 25 years now). I think the "fun" has gone out of it. Everything is siloed too muh now. When I started we used to do everything, hardware, user requirements, developing, testing etc etc. Now everything is siloed and we have specialists doing a small piece of the work. 5 times as expensive and just as many problems with the final products.

MIT

 

[swingstar]

I think to get any sort of software development job these days you'd need a degree. Otherwise you'd need to be either very good or very lucky.

If you get a few certs you could get into a sys admin job.

I'm a bit of an all rounder, but I was employed as a sys admin for a couple of years.

 

[krisbarry]

Thanks for the input guys. Might look at upgrading skills with some certifications and do a bit of volunteer work. Any idea the best way to get the various certification Is online the way to go? I noticed computer power went down the gurgler, so perhaps the local TAFE or similiar might offer short courses? Thanks again.

You can look into doing a Bachelor of Information Technology.

I have done the first year subjects and a couple of second year subjects.

But you are looking at a 3 year degree and about $30,000 for HECS (most of the subjects are in band 2 and 3 under the new HECS fees, which are 25% more expensive thanks to Johnny Howard ) :swear: :swear:

TAFE may be a cheaper option, shorter courses and more hands on

 

[bowser]

Hi crackaton,
Are you willing to start at the bottom again and probably take a year or two to start progressing? If you have the patience to go through this again good, but having already left the industry once it may be worth having a good think beforehand.

I'm not saying its a good idea... good luck

 

[krisbarry]

Here is a link to the BIT degree, this will give you a little more understanding into the course, its subject and units.

I am sure this BIT is a generic degree and runs right around Australia in many universities.

http://www.flinders.edu.au/calendar/vol2/ug/BInfoTech.htm#Prog

 

[crackaton]

I already have degree. Had it for years. Perhaps I need a bridging course.

 

[crackaton]

You can look into doing a Bachelor of Information Technology.

I have done the first year subjects and a couple of second year subjects.

But you are looking at a 3 year degree and about $30,000 for HECS (most of the subjects are in band 2 and 3 under the new HECS fees, which are 25% more expensive thanks to Johnny Howard ) :swear: :swear:

TAFE may be a cheaper option, shorter courses and more hands on

Woah 30K for a degree? Someone mentioned if you did a degree and paid hecs then worked over seas for a while the HECS would dissapear or something along those lines. Any thoughts?

 

[swingstar]

I don't think it "disappears". When you earn over a certain amount you have to pay a certain amount off HECS, but if you're overseas the ATO don't know about it / none of their business.

I'm sure you have to pay sometime though.

 

[krisbarry]

The HECS debt never disappears, even if you go overseas, or go bankrupt, it stays with you for life and accumulates CPI, until you pay it off, die of natural causes or suicide! Now there is a nice thought.

Its only payable when your Australian taxable income reaches a threshold, and it will be a percentage of that.

 

[Crazy Shark]

Its all good Its a loan at CPI rates..which for the last 10 years has been well below the cheapest unsecured loan

 

[crackaton]

So really HECS isn't such a big deal afterall , given you get a decent job with a degree !

 

[krisbarry]

I guess it depends on:

* if you get a job
* if the job pays well
* how much you want to put yourself in debt
* and how many years it will take to pay that debt off.

If debt keeps you awake at night like it did to me, don't bother going back to uni!

 

[markrmau]

designed and implemented database application for local slotcar club using Web-based interface to an Oracle database on a Commodore 64.

Bet you I could do it on a VIC20. Can I have a job?

 

[crackaton]

Too good to be true?

http://www.ptshamrock.com/auto/degrees.html

 

[xice]

now that really looks dodgy.
So what do you do with a Doctorate in Philosophy Anyway?