What was the last substantial skill you learnt on a contract?

[Scrag Meister]

Just been offered some work by current ClientCo on a rewrite for a load of VB.NET apps, to be re-written in C#/WPF. Could be a goody on the CV.

Still doing the current contractual VBA stuff as well.

Don't think it should be too hard but be a good starting point.

[Spacecadet]

snap, i just posted yesterday about how i was having to learn c# on this contract
over the past 5 years i've added SSRS SSIS and SSAS to my skill set, all learnt in contracts

[eek]

Just been offered some work on a rewrite for a load of VB.NET apps, to be re-written in C#/WPF. Could be a goody on the CV.

Still doing the current contractual VBA stuff as well.

Don't think it should be too hard but be a good starting point.

Invoicing while waiting for equipment to appear.

[BlasterBates]

I got to learn PHP on one contract, ah ....err sorry misread the thread, it said "substantial skill"....on second thoughts no not at all. Did enjoy my foray into Net development, even wrote a Java applet.

[PAH]

Just been offered some work by current ClientCo on a rewrite for a load of VB.NET apps, to be re-written in C#/WPF. Could be a goody on the CV.

C# is saturated. As more people move over to it the VB.net arena may become more of a niche. Niches usually demand higher prices as there's either fewer people with the skills or less work retaining them with the skills.

Also WPF may be a pain in the ass if it involves XAML. Go into that and you're one step from Silverlight oblivion.


[legal disclaimer: this post may or may not represent a reasonable perspective on the subjects mentioned. no warranty is given in the reliability of said information.]

[EternalOptimist]

weirdly, some of the best skills I learn are 'soft' skills ( possibly because the reason I was take on was because I already had the techie skills)

So I have learned about accruals, general ledger, post codes, how to answer the phone, how to run a meeting, how to get testing done, how to blag holidays, how to blag an afternoon off



and many more

[MarillionFan]

weirdly, some of the best skills I learn are 'soft' skills ( possibly because the reason I was take on was because I already had the techie skills)

So I have learned about accruals, general ledger, post codes, how to answer the phone, how to run a meeting, how to get testing done, how to blag holidays, how to blag an afternoon off



and many more

WEOS

I've not really picked up many technical skills in the last few years, more BA/PM and influencing skills. I seem to be able to get people onboard/onside and get them to do what I want... Or is that just manipulation?

[oversteer]

Current project has got me programming Java, which is interesting as I've never done that before

If I last the 6 months I'm going to backport it into a few roles on my CV

[Moscow Mule]

Invoicing while waiting for equipment to appear.

Mind your moo.

[thunderlizard]

Java. Normally I am a mere Microsoft chap, but it was the path of least resistance on the occasion.
Odd how in order to get on site, you need at least X years commercial experience of exactly version Y of Z; but once you're there, and a requirement in a completely different technology pops up, it's "You could pick that up in a week, couldn't you?"