Spyderco Forums

Mike Slayer wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 17, 2020 7:05 am

Does anybody else work with tech for a living or like to tinker with tech?

rangefinder wrote: I've worked in the software industry for decades and done everything from tech support to testing to coding to system administration. (But no management roles!) I'm currently doing "enterprise application" system administration.

If you're looking for a career change, there are two obvious ways to go:

1. System administration. Getting Microsoft or Cisco certification does not require 4 years of college. Both MS and Cisco have certifications that are specifically about cyber security. For example: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training- ... ional.html

2. Coding/testing. While having a college degree certainly helps with this, being able to show you can actually program is also important. Find an open source project you're interested in. Test it and file bugs (and be prepared to do additional testing/verification if requested). Look through the open bugs, find one (best to start with a cosmetic defect or something equally low priority) and debug the code to find where the flaw is -- then fix it, build the project, test it, and submit a patch to the project maintainers. Beyond learning to code, you'll also need to learn how the project's tool chain works, learn how to use git (and github or whatever central system the OS project is hosted with), and learn how to work with the project team -- all of which are also needed in a "real" job.

Having a "body of work" in open source projects is a BIG plus when you apply for a job. The hiring manager can have his/her staff look at the work you've done on the OS project to see what kind of work you can do.

The specific coding process has a lot of variations, depending on what you're coding for. Developing a web application is different from a desktop application which is different from a mobile application. So depending on what you're interested in, you'll eventually need to specialize some.

Just in general:

* Two big trends in the industry right now are containerization (Docker, Kubernetes, etc.) and cloud (AWS, etc.). If you don't know anything about either of these, you should start learning them. You can do this on your own. AWS (and probably Azure and Google Cloud) have a free "personal" tier you can use to learn on.

* Almost every software company uses "agile" methodology now, so you should learn about how this process works. If you go into an interview and they start talking about sprints and work items and similar terms, you should know what they mean.

VooDooChild wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 17, 2020 1:18 pm

If you do get an interview, I wouldnt mention that you prefer mac.

Mike Slayer wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 17, 2020 12:57 pm

rangefinder wrote: ...
The specific coding process has a lot of variations, depending on what you're coding for. Developing a web application is different from a desktop application which is different from a mobile application. So depending on what you're interested in, you'll eventually need to specialize some.

I really appreciate the awesome information. Your advice is literally noted and saved. I still have a lot to learn but with the layoff due to covid-19. I have plenty of time so I figured now is the perfect time for a career change and maybe a job I can work from home. I still love to learn new things and savor a challenge like it is a thick perfectly cooked wagyu steak. My Wife is going to College know to learn video game design. She has always been a gamer while I am not much of a gamer. I have always took pride in keeping our computers as secure and optimized as possible. She is a PC Women while I prefer Mac these days. It's just my personal preference. Either one I can work with. Thanks again rangefinder.

rangefinder wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 17, 2020 1:29 pm

If you're just starting out (no programming background at all) I'd generally suggest starting with Python. And although I've not used it myself, I've heard good things about Apple's "Swift" language: https://www.apple.com/swift/

Mike Slayer wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 17, 2020 1:23 pm

VooDooChild wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 17, 2020 1:18 pm

If you do get an interview, I wouldnt mention that you prefer mac.

What if they ask me that question? I can't tell a lie like that. Momma will jump out behind something to beat me with a wooden spoon, flip flop or flyswatter. I rather not get the job than get beat by my Momma. LMAO!

Naperville wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 17, 2020 8:01 am

I have an MIS degree and started working in tech support in 94. I've worked in Silicon Valley. Haven't worked since 2018 after I had a heart attack followed by open heart surgery....been out 2yrs. I'm 40 miles West of Chicago and nobody wants to hire me due to COVID-19 and the break in my resume.

If you have a good job where you are at, I would not go in to tech support. Republicans, Democrats, and the US Chamber of Commerce want as many cheap foreign laborers from India as they can import.

Naperville wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 17, 2020 8:01 am

I have an MIS degree and started working in tech support in 94. I've worked in Silicon Valley. Haven't worked since 2018 after I had a heart attack followed by open heart surgery....been out 2yrs. I'm 40 miles West of Chicago and nobody wants to hire me due to COVID-19 and the break in my resume.

If you have a good job where you are at, I would not go in to tech support. Republicans, Democrats, and the US Chamber of Commerce want as many cheap foreign laborers from India as they can import.

JD Spydo wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 18, 2020 3:52 am

Naperville wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 17, 2020 8:01 am

I have an MIS degree and started working in tech support in 94. I've worked in Silicon Valley. Haven't worked since 2018 after I had a heart attack followed by open heart surgery....been out 2yrs. I'm 40 miles West of Chicago and nobody wants to hire me due to COVID-19 and the break in my resume.

If you have a good job where you are at, I would not go in to tech support. Republicans, Democrats, and the US Chamber of Commerce want as many cheap foreign laborers from India as they can import.

Everything you say is 100% true. My brother has a good friend who worked with one of the biggest high tech companies on the planet. They go by the nickname "big blue". He had worked for them for 18 years and one day they brought him a helper ( so he thought). He worked with his "helper" ( a guy from India) for almost a month. Then one day he came in to work only to have the security guy tell him to clean out his desk and they fired him ( said they laid him off :rolleyes: ) they escorted him out of the building

Here this guy put in 18 years of extremely dedicated service and worked all kinds of overtime and long days. Only to be tricked into training his replacement. That's the typical American Corporation in this new era. Makes me glad I quit working for Corporate America some time back .