[Bhokal]

Am into early 40s. Currently managing IT department in a not for profit organisation. I want to specialise in a specific domain and then change tracks (still in IT).

1. Is it too late to switch now? Do such candidates even get shortlisted?
2. Which option would make most sense?
   • Cloud (AWS/Azure)
   • IT/Cyber Security
   • AI/ML
   • Anything else
3. How to go about doing it?
   • spend spare time learning and getting relevant certification
   • freelance in projects, gain experience
   • apply to openings

[am1m]

Originally Posted by Bhokal

I want to specialise in a specific domain and then change tracks (still in IT).

It is always possible but not easy to switch tracks later.

What would really help is if there was a specific area that you were already interested in. To be blunt- the question if cloud, cybersecurity, AI/ML, or anything else makes sense to switch to- that is something that usually someone at the beginning of their career will ask. All those fields are very different and you should ask why a new company would hire someone in a later stage of their career for an entry-level position in any of those areas, when they can get a fresher for that.

Best choice would be to plan it in a two-stage process:

First identify an area that interests you, not just a 'hot' field. See if you can implement and work on some projects in that area in your present company. Will require extra effort to learn, take the risk and responsibility of implementing, and will have to be done over your regular tasks. But the advantage is you are doing it in a familiar organization, working with people you already have established credibility and a reputation with. Once you have couple of successful implementations, you have some reference work to show. Then use that to apply to the role and companies you want to switch to.

Another option is to move in the same role you have right now to a different company that also does the kind of work in the areas you are interested in. Then similarly, while you are there, get involved in those projects over and above your regular work. Then, either you can move in to a role in that area in that organization, or apply to that kind of role in another company.

[Bhokal]

Thanks am1m for the thoughtful response, this is going to be my template for my future plans.

[Oxy]

I have been an Oracle developer all my life, and recently accepted a DBA role. Yes I get to learn a lot but this is such a thankless job that it's incredible. Also, somehow it's always the DBA's fault. I already feel like a punching bag.

I don't earn much and am 44 already. I feel the need of exploring non tech roles, like something in HR. Where do I even begin? Has someone here undergone a similar career transition?

[bhardwhu]

Originally Posted by Oxy

I don't earn much and am 44 already. I feel the need of exploring non tech roles, like something in HR. Where do I even begin? Has someone here undergone a similar career transition?

Moving to non tech role is possible. You will need to connect with industry leaders and make a pitch. You may have to lower your compensation expectations and be open to learn. Try in tech companies, highlighting your experience and understanding of technologies and how you can make a better HR professional. It will be tough but if you are persistent, it will happen.

[warrioraks]

Originally Posted by Oxy

I have been an Oracle developer all my life, and recently accepted a DBA role. Yes I get to learn a lot but this is such a thankless job that it's incredible. Also, somehow it's always the DBA's fault. I already feel like a punching bag.

I don't earn much and am 44 already. I feel the need of exploring non tech roles, like something in HR. Where do I even begin? Has someone here undergone a similar career transition?

The only way I see this practically happening is if you know people on the other side of the fence. Your best bet is to apply internally in your company and someone really trying to pull you into that role.

Also HR is a highly specialized field in non-tech world and I would suggest looking at something else like operations.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by Oxy

I don't earn much and am 44 already. I feel the need of exploring non tech roles, like something in HR.

If you think being a DBA is thankless, you'll find HR can be considerably worse in terms of becoming a punching bag and being blamed for everything wrong with the company!

The good thing is HR these days is becoming increasingly automated. There is a demand for people who can automate and setup HR systems and databases in large companies. Your Oracle and database experience will come in handy there. For a big company, those projects can last years.

Try asking around at your present role, perhaps you could start by helping HR at your present org and then transition into such a role.

Or, if the opportunity cost makes sense, a full-time MBA in HR from a top college can be a pathway in.

[M_Poweredd_]

I am a 23 yr old just resigned my first job after almost a year of experience. The current situation in the IT industry isn’t too good from what I have seen. My company although a big firm who just announced 1B$ in revenue a few days back was very persistent on cutting down their employee numbers. Most of us were being sent to a remote location in the south and Maharashtra for support roles. Support roles meant working at banks to fulfil their technical support needs. It meant giving up on coding for a few years, in which case you can’t go back easily. Many seniors were getting fired too early this year while I was in service. My college didn’t achieve a single 3+Lpa placement this year while last year the highest was 9. No such scenario would be observed in the elite colleges like IITs but is surely being faced by tier 3 colleges. I would also like to take advice from other industry’s veterans on what should be the ideal steps when your industry hits a recession.

[SoumenD]

Originally Posted by M_Poweredd_

…I would also like to take advice from other industry’s veterans on what should be the ideal steps when your industry hits a recession.

Not exactly a veteran but closing in on the dreadful 40s soon. My advice during recession is simple, stay low and keep yourself employable just incase things go south. Even if you hate the job, now is not the time to get adventurous unless you have financial cushion.

This next bit is applicable irrespective of market conditions. Save for the rainy day. One should have atleast 6 months worth emergency funds along with medical & term insurance always. You never know when the need arises.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by M_Poweredd_

I am a 23 yr old just resigned my first job after almost a year of experience

...what should be the ideal steps when your industry hits a recession.

First off, what SoumenD has already posted, the most valuable advice you can get:

Originally Posted by SoumenD

Save for the rainy day. One should have at least 6 months worth emergency funds along with medical & term insurance always.

To add, start investing early. At the beginning of your career, it will be smaller sums, but start making it a habit and soon you'll be sitting on a decent corpus. Avoid bad debt. Don't get into debt for deprecating assets like a car, high-end phone, vacation, etc.

On the good side- you've just started your career, so you will be more easily employable than say someone in their 40s with a very high salary, a home loan, couple of kids, and less flexibility. So, stay employed. There's no reason to accept a bad job or a job with working conditions that don't suit you (unless you really need the money badly), but at your age, you can probably be a bit more flexible, so consider different jobs that will enhance your skills and make you more employable. Every job should be one where you can learn something new and add a couple of useful lines to your resume. This is especially important for your first few jobs.

Network well at each job. LinkedIn has made this much easier. Keep in touch with people regularly, rather than only when you need a job. Be the kind of colleague people will want to work with, be open, helpful and not someone who climbs over other's work to please the boss. When the bad times hit, it's always been my former colleagues who have helped me find my next role, rather than former bosses.

[kavensri]

Originally Posted by am1m

Keep in touch with people regularly, rather than only when you need a job.

This is the most valuable input. This is what even I keep telling people.
Not only in job, but this applies everywhere.

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by M_Poweredd_

I am a 23 yr old just resigned my first job after almost a year of experience....what should be the ideal steps when your industry hits a recession.

Do you have an offer in hand or did you simply quit? And do you have the financial backup to handle a potential year or two of unemployment?

Without knowing about your aspirations or aptitude, it is difficult to comment. My response is purely based on the assumption that you want to continue to build a career in IT and don't have any entrepreneurship or MBA plans. If that is the case, quitting without a backup might not be the right thing. A hot-headed classmate of mine quit his job during the 2008 recession and ended up with an unwarranted career break of over two years. In hindsight, he feels he made a mistake as he is behind his peers on the career ladder. Of course, this is only applicable to an average Joe and not a star programmer, for whom a break in career won't matter.

Now coming to what you can do, continue learning, and take up some part-time online job (this was not so easy during the previous recession). If you have the financial means and were already interested, this might be a good time to get a higher degree like MS or MBA.

[DigitalOne]

Originally Posted by M_Poweredd_

I am a 23 yr old just resigned my first job after almost a year of experience.....Support roles meant working at banks to fulfil their technical support needs. It meant giving up on coding for a few years, in which case you can’t go back easily.

Sorry to be blunt, but I wish you had asked this question before you resigned. I would have advised you to go where your company asks you to go - see how the actual end users are using your software, see how support issues can be reduced, learn how UI can be done better and in regional languages. (Off topic, the software that my team provides is used in India only, and the continuous feedback that we receive is how it does not support all Indian languages).

"remote locations of south and Maharashtra" are not so remote these days. Learn to live independently. On the plus side, rents in those places will be low . And why does it mean giving up coding? You can still contribute to open source or other non-commercial projects. And always you have a better chance of change within an organization than outside (unless you are a rock star programmer).

[subraiyr]

Originally Posted by DigitalOne

Sorry to be blunt, but I wish you had asked this question before you resigned. I would have advised you to go where your company asks you to go - see how the actual end users are using your software, see how support issues can be reduced, learn how UI can be done better and in regional languages.

I feel it's the bane of the younger population. I have seen this happen across a set of population but limited to the younger crowd. Folks who are either fresher or have been at work for less than 2 years. There is a tendency to move out at the slightest inconvenience. I have had people who spent 6 months in a job asking for promotions and if they do not get it, up goes the resignation letter. There are some amazing reasons that I have encountered. Right from the supervisor not having a smiling face, to hitting the field for sales, managing events or not being recognized for doing work as per job specifications. It is a sad state of affairs to see that a lot of youngsters are not invested in learning.

[jkrishnakj]

One more to add to a few good thoughts above - supporting a bank sitting at the bank location can be viewed two ways. 1. Doing just support and rambling about it not being a tech job and doing nothing about it. 2. Support by actually ‘learning’ the business and knowing how a bank works, what their mission critical applications are etc and still learning the latest in the tech world.

I recently heard this - ‘If you want to buy stuff without looking at the price tag, you may have to learn and work without looking at the clock, with the right balance’. Option 2 above would help I suppose.