Reply to: Return to IT & maybe contracting

[minestrone]

The OP's post stems from the downturn.

Root and branch reform of the public sector is needed.

[EternalOptimist]

Here is an IT test for you, to see if you are suited

You have two tables, one for students and one for classes, and you want to make a join

What is the best type of wood to make students table with and what glue would you suggest for the join ?

[Mich the Tester]

You might want to check out some of Forrester's market research papers first.

Then again, you might not as the people I've met that work there are as thick as two short planks anyway.

[fullyautomatix]

I might take a leaf out of his book and try my hand at tree surgery especially considering the IT sector isnt showing any signs of green shoots.

[Mich the Tester]

Hi,

I left IT contracting about 12 years ago to be a tree surgeon. I'm contemplating a return to IT - my skills are/were C programming, UNIX admin & all the RDBMS of the day.

What do people think I should learn now?

Thanks
Mini

You need to learn about release management so that you know whether to write your code in the trunk or a branch. At best your contracting career will fail to blossom and at worst you could be felled if you get it wrong.

[Zippy]

Sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees.

Ah, that old chestnut.

[EternalOptimist]

You could work for us, but only if you are Oirish.

The MD is looking for tree fellas to work on our .net project

[Mich the Tester]

It is like a nursery in here.

Sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees.

[minestrone]

It is like a nursery in here.

[EternalOptimist]

Have you considered SAP ?

[doodab]

It's funny you should post this cos I often think about becoming a tree surgeon. The two disciplines have a lot in common.

Apache Chainsaw -

Tree (data structure) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[DimPrawn]

I bet he's a bit stumped by the responses.

If he doesn't like it, he can log off.

[Clippy]

The advice on here can be hollow, particularly for a young sapling.

There is a treemendous amount of information available on the internet but you will need to prune the results to find what you are looking for.

Sorry to lumber you with this jack, but its best to be honest up front so you don't have an axe to grind later.

[Mich the Tester]

I bet he's a bit stumped by the responses.

[Minisaurus]

I reckon there is still money to be made with these skills. Maybe chuck in PHP?

Thanks Zippy - might Java be an idea too?