Changing Skillset

**lje** · 1 August 2011, 13:56

Originally posted by russell View Post

Was wondering if anyone has changed skill-set, i.e. changing your primary programming language. The difficulty I see is you will have no real commercial experience, has anyone ever done this?

Yep. When contracting around 16 years ago went in as a C++ programmer and they let me teach myself Java on company time and did both languages for them whilst I was there. From then on I got mainly Java work. Java was new then though so not a lot of people around with the skills.

**eek** · 1 August 2011, 14:58

Originally posted by lje View Post

Yep. When contracting around 16 years ago went in as a C++ programmer and they let me teach myself Java on company time and did both languages for them whilst I was there. From then on I got mainly Java work. Java was new then though so not a lot of people around with the skills.

As LJE said the usual way is to do it on the job while using your other skills. I've noticed a few people claiming to learn C# while doing VBA work and a lot of people seem to be learning SSIS while doing C# or something similar.

I can't see why you would want to move from C# as your primary toolset I've never had any problem doing vb.net development when required.

I think you may be looking at it the wrong way and rather than change your toolset increase your repertoire a bit towards architecture, Business Analysis or Project Management. You don't want to be a jack of all trades but a broad vertical skillset from Business Analysis to testing won't do you any harm.

**mudskipper** · 1 August 2011, 17:46

Originally posted by eek View Post

You don't want to be a jack of all trades but a broad vertical skillset from Business Analysis to testing won't do you any harm.

Thank you - I was wondering how best to describe my broad vertical skillset.

**eek** · 1 August 2011, 18:08

Originally posted by k2p2 View Post

Thank you - I was wondering how best to describe my broad vertical skillset.

Better that than MF's broad and dwarf look.

**minestrone** · 1 August 2011, 18:15

I moved from C and C++ to Java which is my main language now.

I picked up PHP on a gig and created a fairly large site using it on a gig but I am not going to claim I am an all knowing God on the stuff and it is not on my CV. Had no problems doing it as they were paying me a java architect rate.

I got hired for a C# gig did the tutorials and got shifted team after a week and never touched the stuff.

I personally find moving technologies now fairly easy, it is the insane pish that permies write that hardly works using the technology which is the tough stuff working out.

Changing Skillset