Looking at change in direction...

[VEA]

I am looking at changing the direction that my career is going as I feel like I am hitting a bit of a brick wall and not taking the next step.

I would like some advice, specific and not so specific.

I am 26 I have been working since I was 17 all in IT. Technical support, Help-desk stuff to start with and now I am in Post-Sales support.

I am thinking of making a move into a more specific region of the industry...programming of some sort, it is something that has always interested me but I have no real experience.

I guess my question is where do I start?

[CzechItOut]

Have you asked to transfer into the software development team within your existing company? That is surely the best bet for you to work your way up.

Your other option is to learn a language yourself or do a course, but if you then try to apply for junior roles you will be up against graduates and kids who've been writing code in their bedroom for years. That's not to say you're experience wouldn't put you ahead of them, but it would certainly be a more competitive route.

[TurricanII]

Try and look at some current job adverts that sound attractive - what languages are they asking for? Download a free development environment e.g. the free Microsoft Visual Studio Express or Apples's dev kit. Hammer the highly rated books and the Internet for tutorials. You can do all this at home and then be ready to pounce on any opportunity that comes up. Could you do a day relase HNC/HND from work on a programming course (I am not up to speed on what educational opportunities there are).

I expect you are looking at a massive wage cut if you move into a trainiee programmer role from your current position.

[amir_j]

VEA said:

it is something that has always interested me but I have no real experience.

No it hasn't.

If it did you would have picked up a computer and programmed something.Would you get a someone saying I always wanted to be a mechanic but never bothered to? No as they would pick up a spanner and get to work.

For anything which has a low barrier to entry, if you haven't actually done it then its not actually what you want to do but what you will get out of it.

[rog007]

Do you have a mentor you could ask? If not, how about trying to secure one from within your organisation? Additionally, you could seek out some career coaching to help you work out where you want to be and how you can get there. Good luck!