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General Discussion

Posted by Mitch Cobb
Mitch Cobb
6,228 Points

Career Change

Hi everyone, I'm seriously considering leaving my current career (Internal IT Auditing) to develop websites and/or applications. I'd like to leave IT Auditing as soon as possible, but was curious how to advertise my skills (beyond building a web portfolio) to achieve the fastest results, and how quickly most of you were able to make the transition out of your previous careers from the time you started coding. I'm currently knocking out the 'design your first webpage' track, and intend to keep moving as fast as I can through each course (while maintaining as much of it as I can of course). Any input, advice, or just babble is appreciated! Thank you, mc

4 Answers

Christopher Parke
Christopher Parke
21,978 Points
Christopher Parke
Christopher Parke
21,978 Points

Good time to do it.

Mitch Cobb
Mitch Cobb
6,228 Points

What makes you say that?

Jon Coppock
Jon Coppock
7,685 Points
Jon Coppock
Jon Coppock
7,685 Points

Never operate from weakness or desperation. When you find yourself in a position, fortify it, build it up, dig deeper and build thicker walls. This is how you prepare for battle, knowing that you can't stay, but getting ready to fight to defend your ground.

Don't just jump up in a firefight and take off running because you can't stand the heat, you'll get your head shot off. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Grind away at your skill set until you're so good, so strong, that you can't be ignored, and you can't be beaten.

Only build on strength, if you are strong in your position, then get ready to take the next step, otherwise stay put and gut it out until YOU are ready, Don't let the situation run you, you run it!

Mitch Cobb
Mitch Cobb
6,228 Points

Thanks Jon. I'll wait until I'm confident in my portfolio and abilities to make the switch. I just hate the idea of missing out on some of the great opportunities available right now! A few of my favorite [local] organizations have positions available for entry level programmers.

Ozhan Saat
PLUS
Ozhan Saat
Courses Plus Student 4,002 Points
Ozhan Saat
Ozhan Saat
Courses Plus Student 4,002 Points

Meet people in the field you want to get in to. I went to a lot of android conferences and meetups and made some valuable contacts from it. I would just walk up to people and start talking and asking questions. Eventually one of the guys I met offered me a job as a junior dev. If you come across as passionate and hard working you will attract attention.

Mitch Cobb
Mitch Cobb
6,228 Points

Thanks Ozhan! I've signed up for a few MeetUp groups that focus on web developing. Are there any organizations that host webinars or events on programming? I'm familiar with Auditing ones (ISACA, IIA, etc.), but haven't run accross any developer oriented organizations.

Ozhan Saat
PLUS
Ozhan Saat
Courses Plus Student 4,002 Points
Ozhan Saat
Ozhan Saat
Courses Plus Student 4,002 Points

I went to Droidcon and android specific events I found on meetups. I kept running into the same people so it was easy to make connections.

Mitch Cobb
Mitch Cobb
6,228 Points

Hmm... I'm not sure how much of that takes place in Omaha, but I'll start with Meetups and go from there. Thanks!