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Another Developer losing it...

 
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Hello everyone,

This is my first post on this forum, which i'm quite lucky to have come across.

Here's my story, which i believe, is similar to some people on this forum, but i'll write it anyway...

I have a computer science degree. I've been in software development for 2 years now. These two years have been pure hell for me. I have absolutely no interest in computer science. You must be asking yourselves "then why did you do it ?". Oh well, at the time, it was the best place to go, it was the seat which proposed a lot of job opportunities after school. Now, after two years, i just want out. I'm tired of learning technologies and speaking to my computer all day because nothing works. I'm tired of people putting me down because i cant understand the code, and code fast.

I'm someone really gifted in communication skills, i have thought of re-orienting my self into communication but this means going back to school, or doing night school, which is impossible for me...
Friends have adviced me to become a functional analsyt, but over here in france, in order to become a functional analyst, you need to have a strong technical background , in order to be able to propose technical solutions to clients...

In other words, i'm stuck, i'm 26yrs old, and i cant see my future. All i can see is me coding coding coding and coding, and getting depressive, and i just want help.

If you thinnk you can help, or have lived something similar, please do leave a message...

Thank you all !
 
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Different Strokes...

I lost a job for more or less the opposite reasons. While I am (proven) fully capable of doing professional work as a writer, it's too much like work. I prefer designing wicked software. My employers thought that all the software should either be off-the-shelf or written by the cheapest people they could hire (in other words, offshore). They wanted me to exercise my people skills.

I don't have people skills. Few computer geeks really do, and I'm definitely not one of them. End of Job.

In today's USA, you're really more likely to find yourself employable if you're doing communications-type stuff than if you're doing software development. Communications tends to improve as separation becomes less (although not always - look at Congress!)

Stop worrying about what you can't do, and start taking notes of what you enjoy doing. You may find that the things you enjoy most aren't even part of your present job. Once you know what floats your boat, steer it in that direction.

There's nothing wrong with having made a "false start", and the experience may yet be useful when you least expect it. At a minimum, it might give you a little more sympathy when people want software and tell the developers "All You Have To Do Is...". By now you've at least probably seen that what's simple for people isn't always simple programming. Conversely, you probably gained at least a little insight into how technology can be applied in unexpected ways.
 
monyee marionnaud
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Tim Holloway wrote:Different Strokes...

Stop worrying about what you can't do, and start taking notes of what you enjoy doing. You may find that the things you enjoy most aren't even part of your present job. Once you know what floats your boat, steer it in that direction.




I thank you for your reply. It was very helpful, but the problem is , (in relation to the quote above),
I feel i'm very gifted in communication, in writing, in relations with people etc ; all my friends and family tell me the same thing all day long.
So i said "let me try re-orientinig myself to functional Analyst, it could be a good start"
I have been going to interviews for 2 months now, and no-one wants to take me in on the functional Analyst post. The reason : "you dont have enough technical experience, you need to gain 1 or 2 years more experience..."
This means that i'm going to be stuck in this domain for a long time, for i know that even if i stay 1 or 2 years more in computer science, i wont gain much because i just wont like it !

I would really like to do what i'm gifted for (writing, communication etc) but i'm being refused everywhere : either because i dont have the adapted diploma or because i dont have technical experience...

I hope there is a way out...
 
monyee marionnaud
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Does anyone have replies or suggestions ? Please do give them !

Thanks
 
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What is the gaurentee that you will perform well as a Business[Function] Analyst ?! . do you think all the programmers are writting 100 lines everyday(coding fast). ?
 
monyee marionnaud
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seetharaman venkatasamy wrote:What is the gaurentee that you will perform well as a Business[Function] Analyst ?! . do you think all the programmers are writting 100 lines everyday(coding fast). ?



There is no guarantee ; like i said, the job of an analyst apparently requires technical backing, and since i dont really like coding, i wont be able to acquire that technical backing.

I'm just trying to get out of coding and maybe find something more in link with relations, communications etc...

Must i go back to school ?

Must i have a diploma in communications or relations ?

How can i apply for a job in communications/relations without a diploma ? No recruiter is willing to take the risk...

That's why i talk of functional analyst, because its the only way out for which i already have a diploma...but since it requires strong technical background, i'm squeezed...
 
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If you like writing, maybe you could get a start by doing just that - have you written articles or blog entries about subjects you're interested in?
 
monyee marionnaud
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Ulf Dittmer wrote:If you like writing, maybe you could get a start by doing just that - have you written articles or blog entries about subjects you're interested in?



I've tried to get into writing.

Over here in France, we have jobs like Medical Writers, Mechanical Writers etc; but one needs experience in the domain (for example, Medical writer needs at least 3 years experience in pharmaceutical/chemistry)....so i didnt get much luck.

However, you have given me an idea.. get a job writing blogs,articles, wikis...but i'm afraid that there are little job offers on that, since its so common that nearly everyone know how to write blogs and wikis himself !

What do you think ?
 
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monyee marionnaud wrote:There is no guarantee ; like i said, the job of an analyst apparently requires technical backing, and since i dont really like coding, i wont be able to acquire that technical backing.

That's why i talk of functional analyst, because its the only way out for which i already have a diploma...but since it requires strong technical background, i'm squeezed...



Think of acquiring the technical backing for the job, as being no different that taking classes, or even paying your dues. If you are not willing to do that, then it is unlikely that you would like the job regardless... In other words, a functional analyst is a job that have less of what you absolutely hate, and more of the stuff that you hate less, like keeping up to speed on technology. This is hardly a good selling point in choosing a career.

monyee marionnaud wrote:
How can i apply for a job in communications/relations without a diploma ? No recruiter is willing to take the risk...



Be careful when speaking to recruiters (or anyone during the interview process). You need to have a clear explanation why you want to go into communications. And the explanation "to get out of coding" is not a good one.

Henry
 
Ulf Dittmer
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However, you have given me an idea.. get a job writing blogs,articles, wikis...but i'm afraid that there are little job offers on that, since its so common that nearly everyone know how to write blogs and wikis himself !


I didn't necessarily mean that the job would consist of blogging and such (very few people can live on that), just that it would provide you with experience, hone your writing skills, and give you something to point to in a job application.
 
Henry Wong
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monyee marionnaud wrote:
However, you have given me an idea.. get a job writing blogs,articles, wikis...but i'm afraid that there are little job offers on that, since its so common that nearly everyone know how to write blogs and wikis himself !



I think you misunderstood Ulf here. He is not saying to get a job writing a blog, which as you pointed out, there really aren't many. I think he is saying to write a blog, articles, wikis, etc. on your spare time, so when you do apply for a writing job, you have stuff to refer to. Stuff that showcase your talent, knowledge, etc.

[EDIT: Stepped on Ulf. Sorry]

Henry
 
monyee marionnaud
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Henry Wong wrote:
Be careful when speaking to recruiters (or anyone during the interview process). You need to have a clear explanation why you want to go into communications. And the explanation "to get out of coding" is not a good one.

Henry



Actually Henry, all i know is that I'm really gifted with large relational skills. I really love being in relation with people; so you can imagine my disappointement every time i sit infront of a PC for 7hours coding...

I talk about communication/relations cos its the only thing i can see which comes close to my personality. There's the writing option too proposed in a reply above, but like i said, technical experience is required in the domain.


Knowiing my personnality, and also knowing that i took the wrong career choice, what's the way out now ?
 
monyee marionnaud
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Henry Wong wrote:
I think you misunderstood Ulf here. He is not saying to get a job writing a blog, which as you pointed out, there really aren't many. I think he is saying to write a blog, articles, wikis, etc. on your spare time, so when you do apply for a writing job, you have stuff to refer to. Stuff that showcase your talent, knowledge, etc.

Henry



I dont really understand. I can gain experience at home writing blogs and wikis, but at the end of the day , i cant take on a medical writer's job just because i've written blogs and wikis. I dont really see what i can do with the blog writing experience.

How do you see that this experience can help me ?
 
Henry Wong
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monyee marionnaud wrote:
Knowiing my personnality, and also knowing that i took the wrong career choice, what's the way out now ?



Well, why don't you tell us? It is great that you know what you want to do, in terms of tasks, but in terms of a job ... so far, you only told us what you do *not* want to do, and what you are *not* willing to pay the dues for.

Is there anything that you want to do? And want it enough to acquire all the skills for it?

Henry
 
Henry Wong
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monyee marionnaud wrote:I dont really understand. I can gain experience at home writing blogs and wikis, but at the end of the day , i cant take on a medical writer's job just because i've written blogs and wikis. I dont really see what i can do with the blog writing experience.

How do you see that this experience can help me ?



Well, it may help you. Or it may not help you. But if you just want to do it so that it will help you in this regard, or don't believe that it may help you... then, you are correct, it won't help you at all.

You should do this for fun. You should do this because you care about what you are writing about. And who knows, maybe it will improve your style and writing skills, or even help get you into a domain that you can get a job writing for. Who knows?

Henry

 
monyee marionnaud
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Henry Wong wrote:
Is there anything that you want to do? And want it enough to acquire all the skills for it?
Henry




Sorry for the delay Henry and thanks for your replies !

I would like to go into communications, but i do not want to go back to scool or start a night course in order to acheive this. its time and efforrt consuming, not to speak of the financial engagement...

 
Ulf Dittmer
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I would like to go into communications, but i do not want to go back to scool or start a night course in order to acheive this. its time and efforrt consuming, not to speak of the financial engagement...


For someone who's 25 you're not willing to do much in order to be able to do something you like. What ARE you willing to do to pursue your goals?
 
monyee marionnaud
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Ulf Dittmer wrote:
For someone who's 25 you're not willing to do much in order to be able to do something you like. What ARE you willing to do to pursue your goals?



Be reassured, i'm willing, but the problem is :

I just came out of school and i'm working -> This means that if i stop work to go back to school, there's no income to put food on the table.
If you speak of night courses -> You may know like me, that once you get out of the work place at 6pm, you have absolutely no desire to go and start your night courses. All you want to do is have a long rest after a hard day's work.

So i am willing, but there are constraints, which i have stated above.

Please tell me if you disagree or see it otherwise.

Thanks
 
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monyee marionnaud wrote:Actually Henry, all i know is that I'm really gifted with large relational skills. I really love being in relation with people; so you can imagine my disappointement every time i sit infront of a PC for 7hours coding...


You spend 7 hours a day coding? I'm lucky if I can get in 4-5. I spend the rest of the day in meetings, mentoring people, brainstorming with teammates, etc. Do you hate coding or just the isolation? If the later, maybe you can try to convince your team to try pair programming for a month? I find it more efficient and it certainly isn't lonely.

monyee marionnaud wrote: All you want to do is have a long rest after a hard day's work.

So i am willing, but there are constraints, which i have stated above.

Please tell me if you disagree or see it otherwise.


I disagree. I think your constraints are unrealistic. if you want a career change (or to advance in your current career or stay current in it for that matter), you need to invest time other than your 9-5 job. You realize that none of us are paid to be on this site? We do it because we enjoy it. If you find something you enjoy, you won't mind doing it after work. If you like to write, you will enjoy it and want to do it in your free time. At the same time, if you don't like writing enough to do it in your free time, why do you think you would enjoy it as a career.

Have you considered other fields, like HR? Or sales? Or non-office jobs? Before trying to go in a new direction, I recommend asking people in your desired field if you can talk to them about their job for 30 minutes or so. They call it an "informational interview." The idea is to see what it is like before you go in that direction.
 
Jeanne Boyarsky
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monyee marionnaud wrote:So i am willing, but there are constraints, which i have stated above.


What are you willing to do? Like Ulf, I'm not seeing it.

Also within technology, have you considered help desk? It pays less, but you talk to people all day.
 
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I think part of the problem here is that you seem to think that experience and work experience are the same thing. I was working retail for 10 years prior to getting into the tech field. I took a job as a Help Desk specialist at a bank for the sole purpose of making more money (I had a family to feed). I had become friends with a CS major at a local college (I was not going to college) and he introduced me to Java. I hated my help desk job. However, I stayed with it for 4.5 years and in my spare time learned Java. I then landed a job doing Java work and have since moved on to be a successful independent consultant.

So you see, not everyone has the luxury of doing what they love all the time. You're 26. Spending 2 more years gaining the experience needed to do what you love is chump change in the grand scheme of things. I encourage you to pursue your dreams but I also encourage you to suck it up, man up, and do what has to be done to get there.
 
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If you speak of night courses -> You may know like me, that once you get out of the work place at 6pm, you have absolutely no desire to go and start your night courses. All you want to do is have a long rest after a hard day's work.


If you're really willing to make a change, then you need to make some sacrifices. If you like what you're studying, I don't think it'll be that painful and you may even enjoy it.
 
Henry Wong
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monyee marionnaud wrote:
I just came out of school and i'm working -> This means that if i stop work to go back to school, there's no income to put food on the table.
If you speak of night courses -> You may know like me, that once you get out of the work place at 6pm, you have absolutely no desire to go and start your night courses. All you want to do is have a long rest after a hard day's work.

So i am willing, but there are constraints, which i have stated above.

Please tell me if you disagree or see it otherwise.



I too, also disagree... If a constraint is that you don't want to lose your "long rest after a hard day's work", I doubt that you are in "pure hell", "losing it", etc.


Like any other job, it has good points and it has bad points. When the bad points becoming annoying, you complain to family, friends, etc. And when the bad points overwhelm the good points, you do something about it.

Henry
 
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