Reply to: Dentist to IT contracting, thoughts?

[LondonManc]

I've not dabbled a bit on the internet, IT is a field that has that has always interested me and have kept up to date even whilst studying dentistry and working as a dentist. Whilst completing a work placement in oral pathology, I helped create and implement a 3D pathology software, and a workflow to generate 3D models of tissue. I also helped develop novel software for viewing virtual slides with high resolution displays. I wouldn't except people to get dentistry jobs after dabbling a bit on the internet since you have to be registered with the General Dental Council in order to practise. As far as I'm aware, there is no such regulation in place that regulates IT contractors the same way.

Which is the biggest problem with both the IT contractors and even more so with the recruiters.

[d000hg]

What are you trying to achieve here? Work part time in IT and part time i dentisry>?

If yes why exactly? Denistry is much more stable - Stay there

He already said money wasn't the driver here.


I'm with what a few others said - if you have time and don't have to work 5 days a week then create something in the evenings and in between dental gigs. Way more fun to make your own product.

[d000hg]

Again no. Most contractors have many years perm experience, not work placement.
You are a professional in a field. You wouldn't expect people to get dentistry jobs after dabbling a bit on the Internet. Why on earth do you think IT contracting is any different?

Because IT is unregulated.

You're more likely to pick up some freelance jobs than contracting roles, this much is true. Of course if you could find someone wanting to make dental software you could be OK.

[MyUserName]

From a standing start this is just not going to happen. Low paid contracts are generally offshored and you will be competing with experienced contractors for the remaining roles. It is not impossible that you would get lucky but at those odds you are better off buying lottery tickets.

In your spare time stop doing courses and start working on open source projects. Start a big project one which is to do with dentistry so you know the domain. Keep developing a bank of good open source projects and perhaps that will give you a way in? Maybe. Not likely but if you are interested in IT you will enjoy it anyway, if you don't enjoy it then you would not have enjoyed contracting either.

Good luck

[LondonPM1]

Hi Guys,

I'm currently working as a associate dentist, but have always been quite passionate about the IT field. I chose to study dentistry over IT due to the job security dentistry brings. Being a dentist means working 9-5 more or less, so I have been able to use my free time to learn different languages (SQL, C++, Python). Everything I've learnt is from the resources available on the internet. I was wondering if this would be enough to get me a low paid contracting job? TBH, I'm not too bothered about the pay as I have been able to save up a fair about from working as a dentist (the day rate being 350-450, and not having to spend on accommodation/travel since associate contracts are long and easy to find locally). I have looked into getting a permanent role, but this would mean completely giving up on dentistry, which I do not want to do since I do enjoy being a dentist. Ideally, I would like to mix the two up, working as a dentist for a few months, and then getting a IT contract. I understand that IT is a field which is ever evolving and dynamic, but I've always wanted to experience this since I've only ever worked as a dentist. So, do you think this is something that is do-able?

What are you trying to achieve here? Work part time in IT and part time i dentisry>?

If yes why exactly? Denistry is much more stable - Stay there

[BigDataPro]

If I were you i.e. with Domain knowledge and interest in IT, I would

1. Understand the gaps in current Dentistry software
2. Try and create one that addresses them
3. Make it Dentist friendly (none of the developers who developed it are/were Dentists, even in a million years they will not be able to understand the need/requirements of a Dentist)
4. Sell it/Market it

Start with a detailed design diagram and see how far you get.

[tazdevil]

I've not dabbled a bit on the internet, IT is a field that has that has always interested me and have kept up to date even whilst studying dentistry and working as a dentist. Whilst completing a work placement in oral pathology, I helped create and implement a 3D pathology software, and a workflow to generate 3D models of tissue. I also helped develop novel software for viewing virtual slides with high resolution displays. I wouldn't except people to get dentistry jobs after dabbling a bit on the internet since you have to be registered with the General Dental Council in order to practise. As far as I'm aware, there is no such regulation in place that regulates IT contractors the same way.

The most viable approach available is to create a software based product and sell it or involve yourself in open source development. However software development isn't a quick procedure but a long slog of building layer upon layer especially if you want to avoid being just another Microsoft/Google/Oracle/... enhancement jockey. I started building a product from scratch 15 years ago and am still spending 8+ hours a day enhancing and adapting it. But the only reason its commercially successful is because I teamed up with someone else who can sell it. Making money in this game is much harder than having an original idea and the ability to produce it.

[JusticeX]

Again no. Most contractors have many years perm experience, not work placement.
You are a professional in a field. You wouldn't expect people to get dentistry jobs after dabbling a bit on the Internet. Why on earth do you think IT contracting is any different?

I've not dabbled a bit on the internet, IT is a field that has that has always interested me and have kept up to date even whilst studying dentistry and working as a dentist. Whilst completing a work placement in oral pathology, I helped create and implement a 3D pathology software, and a workflow to generate 3D models of tissue. I also helped develop novel software for viewing virtual slides with high resolution displays. I wouldn't except people to get dentistry jobs after dabbling a bit on the internet since you have to be registered with the General Dental Council in order to practise. As far as I'm aware, there is no such regulation in place that regulates IT contractors the same way.

[northernladuk]

That's what I was thinking, it's just hard to get the experience, especially when you are in just a specialised field. Is there a way around this such as undertaking one of those hands on courses you see advertised on the internet that provide some work placement options?

Again no. Most contractors have many years perm experience, not work placement.
You are a professional in a field. You wouldn't expect people to get dentistry jobs after dabbling a bit on the Internet. Why on earth do you think IT contracting is any different?

[JusticeX]

There is of course the fact there are many experienced contractors out there so you are the back of a very long and experienced line.

.

That's what I was thinking, it's just hard to get the experience, especially when you are in just a specialised field. Is there a way around this such as undertaking one of those hands on courses you see advertised on the internet that provide some work placement options?

become a project manager that will feel like you are pulling teeth!

You swapping your Z3 for a ford focus or large detached in the best part of town for a travelodge in Birmingham?

There are a a few hundred thousand a year reasons your mum wanted you to be a dentist, it wasn't sticking your fingers in strangers holes you could have apprenticed with NLyUK for that.

Haha, I'm sure the contractors on £400+ per day contracts are not driving Fords or living in travel lodges. Dentistry does pay well since you don't have to climb up a ladder or gain years of experience before earning 60k+, it's normally a year after you graduate. That being said, my salary after tax ranges from 45 to 55k after tax and all the expenses (GDC fees, lab fees, indemnity insurance etc). To earn the mega bucks you have to own your own practise or specialise (being an orthodontist, oral surgeon etc), then you're on 120k plus. I've had a look into project management, but it doesn't really interest me much.

Could you perhaps bring IT into the service you offer your clients? Write or use software to design dentures or other types of cosmetic dentistry?

Could you implant a millimeter sized microchip into a tooth perhaps - for use by secret agents!

It's really hard to mess about with software when working as an associate since you are working for someone. They don't really trust you unless you have some sort of IT degree or qualification. It's the lab people who design the dentures using the impression taken by a dentist. We just use a computer to record the work we have done mainly. I would love to combine the two fields though.

Plan B....!

Haha, if only.

Yeah I guess so but that competence has to be enough to beat whatever else is out there in the market to get passed the agent and then the client.

Hmm.. I'll need to find a way to prove to an agent that I am somehow more competent .

[northernladuk]

I wouldn't go that far. Many clients want someone who is "merely" competent, not specialist.

Yeah I guess so but that competence has to be enough to beat whatever else is out there in the market to get passed the agent and then the client.

[greenlake]

Could you perhaps bring IT into the service you offer your clients?

Plan B....!

[GJABS]

You have to be a specialist with many years demonstrable experience delivering those skills.

I wouldn't go that far. Many clients want someone who is "merely" competent, not specialist.

[GJABS]

Could you perhaps bring IT into the service you offer your clients? Write or use software to design dentures or other types of cosmetic dentistry?

Could you implant a millimeter sized microchip into a tooth perhaps - for use by secret agents!

[vetran]

become a project manager that will feel like you are pulling teeth!

You swapping your Z3 for a ford focus or large detached in the best part of town for a travelodge in Birmingham?

There are a a few hundred thousand a year reasons your mum wanted you to be a dentist, it wasn't sticking your fingers in strangers holes you could have apprenticed with NLyUK for that.