Reality of software Industry?

Question

I m 25, looking for a career change to software, from Lecturer in technical college for the past 5 years. I get conflicting guidance from my friends as well lot of online well wishers. One of father friend's son, who works as HR manager for MNC said I m too old to get into software industry, may be i may try my luck in software training, thats the only possibility. But my friend who worked in number of jobs, sales, marketting, production... you name it, all these 5 years, learned JAVA just 4 months ago, shifted to software company and gets a good pay, he even put a fake experience, he infact works in the same company as that HR manager, but in different state. Now i wonder what is the reality of software industry. Now to ask you
1. Am I too old to get into or look for career change?
2. Will I able to successful career in software?
3. Which area of software should i think for entry to software... Software Testing or JAVA or ASP.NET or mainframe or Oracle?

Answer 1

In the last 3 weeks you have posted variations of the same question over and over again - I counted 19 times. Many people (I am one of them) have responed and offered advise, trying to help you witth your dilemma, but you just keep going. In the time you have spent waiting for someone to give you guarantees (as in question #2), you could have learned the basics of a new software language.

What is your motivation for a career change? Envy that your friends left India and now have high paying jobs in Europe and the US? What was you motivation to go into teaching? Love of teaching or the long vacation and free time? Because if you do not have the right motivation, I promise you, you can be a miserble teacher or a miserable software engineer.

It is obvious that you lack a strong motivation to make a career change, so my advise to you is this: stay put where you are and don't try to blame your indecision on "conflicting guidenace" from people who are only trying to help.

Answer 2

Sounds like the Father's Friend's son is just being spiteful. A surprisingly common thing.

1. 25 is not to old to change careers, especially if you are willing to start at graduate pay levels (you will have to be realistic here).
2. You can be successful in any career, as long as you have the motivation to pursue it fully - this is largely determined by whether or not you actually find it interesting.
3. I would suggest going with Java. Right now, the industry is becoming unstable, I think Java will provide the broadest range of development platforms over time and so will remain in the highest consistent demand. It also leads into solution architect roles for which J2EE is almost a prerequisite - this ensures a long and varied career path.

So my advice is;
1. Learn Java and web development using Java.
2. Talk to an employment agent. If you encounter a good one, they will tell you how to approach entering the industry. But be warned, there arent that many good ones, most of them just want a quick buck. Keep trying.
3. Look for opportunities to use your web development skills. Even if it is for free - building a friends website or your own website is still experience - but be aware, it is a showcase - it must look good.
4. If you can, keep your current job while you are transitioning. It is always easier to find a new job while you are still employed.

Good Luck.

Remember - when changing careers, it is MOST important to choose a career you at LEAST find interesting if not enjoyable.

Answer 3

Any one who told you 25 is too old to make a career shift is an idiot. With that said, the enterprise of software engineering is challenging, and is a fast moving field. There is a lot of demand for both Java and .NET developers, but understand that the demand includes relational database understanding. With .net it's SQL Server, and with Java its typically Oracle. The important thing is that what you will need to do is study every free hour you have and teach yourself.

Answer 4

I see career in software industry is very good.

Answer 5

1. No

2. Yes

3. Whichever you like.