Minor career change advice

billybob476 · May 22, 2008, 09:33:09 AM

Hey guys,

I know there's a few techies on here in addition to myself. However advice from those who are not is equally appreciated.

I've been a web developer for about four to five years now, I've got some good projects under my belt. I have a Bachelor of Computer Science with a concentration in Information Systems (read: business minor). I'm getting to the point where I want to move out of the 'code monkey' stream and move out into the analyst/coordination/client contact stream.

I'm fairly sociable and have some sales administration experience from a previous job (coordinating 10K - multi million dollar orders of product through production, shipping and delivery). I did that for about 5 years (while I was in school). What I need are suggestions on what kind of positions I could be applying for (Project manager, technical analyst, something like that?) and what I can do to shake off the code monkey and have potential employers see me as a tech saavy project coordinator/analyst.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

jedijeff · May 22, 2008, 10:22:04 AM

That is a tough one, are you going to stay in the same company, or go elsewhere? If it were me, I would probably start out with something maybe something like design, so not the actual coding, but the design of project. Maybe some architecture as well. PM is alright, but you might need to take courses to becomes a PMP possibly. I know a lot of our PM's have the PMP designation.

billybob476 · May 22, 2008, 10:25:31 AM

I'd be changing companies. I'm working from home now and it's starting to grate on me. I need a corporate atmosphere. I don't think PM would be in the cards, I'm thinking more of an analyst role.

Jen · May 22, 2008, 10:30:22 AM

I was an Art Director for a web company for 7 years. I managed other designers who designed Flash and HTML sites and passed them to a "code money" for their golden touch. There is a left brain/right brain difference between coders and designers. If you don't have a background in design I would not suggest that as a position. Do you have any management experience? Project management might be a good opportunity for you.

billybob476 · May 22, 2008, 10:38:03 AM

I don't mean design as in visual design. More like high-level software design, collecting client requirements, coming up with data models, DB schemas, use cases and the like. The I'd pass off that stuff to the developers who'd actually code it.

sheldor · May 22, 2008, 10:41:02 AM

Business analyst. Search for it on monster.com. They're a cross between the technical and non-technical side of the business.

Rico · May 22, 2008, 10:41:52 AM

Mark knows from what he speaks. He is the job hunting master!

billybob476 · May 22, 2008, 10:43:34 AM

Yeah I was looking into Business/Technical Analyst positions. I assume coming from a development background would give me some kind of competitive advantage?

Jen · May 22, 2008, 10:47:02 AM

Sorry. I saw design, and my mind automatically switched over to aesthetics.
:-X

Quote from: billybob476 on May 22, 2008, 10:38:03 AM
I don't mean design as in visual design. More like high-level software design, collecting client requirements, coming up with data models, DB schemas, use cases and the like. The I'd pass off that stuff to the developers who'd actually code it.

X · May 22, 2008, 10:51:29 AM

I'm actually working on that degree right now, just to have it on paper.

I'll ask in class tonight for the actual name of the positions that you are looking at but if you have good business skills, the coordinator between the tech side and the business side works best. If you can speak both languages, you can use that to get the code monkeys to have a more detailed idea on the scope of the projects that you need done.

X · May 22, 2008, 10:52:42 AM

And someone was even nice enough to provide the title of the position. Business Analyst

jedijeff · May 22, 2008, 10:58:42 AM

I agree, I work at home as well, not by my choice, and I feel my options slowly drifting away. Like Mark said, a business Analyst might be a good place to start off, as some off our Developers have that title, and do more then code. I think being in a Office helps a lot in ones career aspirations. At home you get stuck your job role. As they say, probably the most important people and things you learn, are not in meetings, but all the informal times like in the lunch room.

billybob476 · May 22, 2008, 11:03:46 AM

Quote from: Jen on May 22, 2008, 10:47:02 AM
Sorry. I saw design, and my mind automatically switched over to aesthetics.
:-X

Quote from: billybob476 on May 22, 2008, 10:38:03 AM
I don't mean design as in visual design. More like high-level software design, collecting client requirements, coming up with data models, DB schemas, use cases and the like. The I'd pass off that stuff to the developers who'd actually code it.

No worries Jen, I'm functional with photoshop but I'd *never* claim I was a graphic designer.