Lateral entry to programming?

#1

Post by kamekame » Fri, Oct 30, 2015, 2:28 PM UTC

-1 down vote favorite

I studied medical engineering and worked three years as an engineer and want to go into programming now. In two days I am unemployed again. Therefore I need a new job.

I wrote a lot of applications, but the companies tell me, that I don't have enough experience. But they not even test my skills. I did programming in my bachelor and master thesis for 13 month. And I did programming as a hobby for many years. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Also at work I made two good working programms. Maybe I was programming for one month. Alltogether it will be two years of experience. I am also a fast learner.

But why do about ten companies tell me about my lack of skills?

What could I do about this? Getting a certificate? Make an internship? Start my own buisness? Work for a cheaper loan?

Thanks for your opinion!

Re: Lateral entry to programming?

#2

Post by kamekame » Fri, Oct 30, 2015, 2:29 PM UTC

Is it okay to ask this question here? I come from stackexchange ;)

Re: Lateral entry to programming?

#3

Post by detaro » Fri, Oct 30, 2015, 2:41 PM UTC

What kind of jobs did you apply for? And how did you present your skills in your application/CV?

Re: Lateral entry to programming?

#4

Post by jfaucett » Fri, Oct 30, 2015, 2:47 PM UTC

It depends on what your expectations are. If you are accustomed to earning the salary of a medical engineer with 3 years experience and expect to get near that as an entry programmer with no experience (which is essentially what everything you listed boils down to from a recruiters perspective), then its going to be a very difficult road and you will have to work much cheaper than you want to.

Certifications only help for specific fields like cisco network engineers or certain types of admin jobs, in my experience little if at all for programming positions. So i wouldnt go that route.

I would suggest any of the other things you listed to get experience (internship, freelance, work cheaper). You will have to work your way up, but thats pretty much always the case whenever you jump ship into a new field. Id also suggest trying your luck at a startup since they usually dont have strict HR processes like larger companies, and might be willing to overlook lack of exp if you can bring good engineering skills, and other qualities (passion, etc.) to the table.

If you gave more info on where you are or want to work (EU country, US, south america, etc) and what programming field you want to work in (web, embedded, etc) we could give you better help.

Re: Lateral entry to programming?

#5

Post by kamekame » Fri, Oct 30, 2015, 4:32 PM UTC

Hi, I applied a lot for C#.NET Jobs. I presented my skills in a table with the categories basic, good, very good and professional skills. - I am also willing to go down with the money. But I want to do what I love, programming! :) I applied also in a broader range (Web-development, database, C#-applications), because I am not specialized until now. I want to work in the Area between Zürich and Basel in Switzerland. Also lower Baden-Würtemberg in Germany.

Re: Lateral entry to programming?

#6

Post by jfaucett » Fri, Oct 30, 2015, 10:33 PM UTC

kamekame wrote: post #5

Hi, I applied a lot for C#.NET Jobs. I presented my skills in a table with the categories basic, good, very good and professional skills. - I am also willing to go down with the money. But I want to do what I love, programming! :) I applied also in a broader range (Web-development, database, C#-applications), because I am not specialized until now. I want to work in the Area between Zürich and Basel in Switzerland. A…

Hmm, C# and .NET arent used that widely in the Startup scene, still I think you would have the best chance with startups, especially if you were willing to learn go/ruby/python. For the areas you mentioned, I would try Stuttgart, but if you're willing the most job opportunities are going to be in Berlin followed by Hamburg and München, I can't speak for the Schweiz though.

If you arent fluent in German yet, you are going to definately want to start working on it asap, knowing German will open up a lot more jobs and opportunities. Just a gut feeling, but I'd say maybe 8 of 10 jobs require German and for every job it is a plus because you can communicate with customers / anyone external.

best of luck :)