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Need some careea advice

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 5:16 am
by marty pain
I've been developing software for 4/5 years now. Due to the nature of the company I work for I have worked with lots of technology but most of it out of date. Two years ago I started working on a PHP application we had on the shelf and I've now developed it up to the point it's sell-able, but not technically good (The original designer didn't understand OOD).

I'm looking to move on from this company but I have found most people are looking for framework experience. I spend most of my evening and weekends studying PHP and related technologies (currently looking at OO PHP). I'm finding it impossible to keep up with changing trends and I learn nothing at work that helps me.

I therefore have a choice. Either I look for a job, probably at a heavy drop in pay, or go on to do my masters and hope that when I leave I can get in contracting work so that I can make up the deficit.

I was just wondering if anyone has had or is having a similar experience and what they did about it. Any advice on what I should do to help me out of this situation?

Thanks In advance!

Re: Need some careea advice

Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 6:42 am
by siji86
Even I am experiencing a similar situation. In the beginning when i joined this company, i was very excited to learn PHP, and also some framework like smarty, but after 2-3 months the same kind of work was given to me and so finally i am really bored with PHP.
In such situations what can be done is try and ask for something different that will benefit your skill set , or what can be done is you yourself can decide and start using the available PHP Frameworks, do some research. In this way you can learn something new and also when time comes you can show off your findings.

:D

Re: Need some careea advice

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 5:47 pm
by panic!
marty pain wrote:I've been developing software for 4/5 years now. Due to the nature of the company I work for I have worked with lots of technology but most of it out of date. Two years ago I started working on a PHP application we had on the shelf and I've now developed it up to the point it's sell-able, but not technically good (The original designer didn't understand OOD).

I'm looking to move on from this company but I have found most people are looking for framework experience. I spend most of my evening and weekends studying PHP and related technologies (currently looking at OO PHP). I'm finding it impossible to keep up with changing trends and I learn nothing at work that helps me.

I therefore have a choice. Either I look for a job, probably at a heavy drop in pay, or go on to do my masters and hope that when I leave I can get in contracting work so that I can make up the deficit.

I was just wondering if anyone has had or is having a similar experience and what they did about it. Any advice on what I should do to help me out of this situation?

Thanks In advance!
If those are the only options, I'd take a drop in salary and move somewhere that you can grow as a developer.

You could pick up a framework like codeigniter in your own time quite quickly if you wanna pick up a PHP related skill people in the UK are looking for.

Re: Need some careea advice

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 7:39 pm
by Eran
It might feel to you like trends are changing very fast but in actuality OOP has been around for a couple of decades and so were many of the patterns used in most frameworks. Even recent technologies in web development such as AJAX has been around for a few years now. In fact, very few new technologies / concepts were introduced since you started with software development (you just weren't aware of those at the time).

My opinion is that you should continue to study advanced concepts and frameworks in your spare time. If you aren't making any progress over some time, I'd suggest you either keep your current job or give up programming. I don't mean to be harsh, but programming is something you either have or don't have an aptitude for - if you can't learn advanced concepts in your spare time, I wouldn't advise learning it on the job.

Having said that, if you aren't feeling like you are satisfied with your current job you should definitely look around for better opportunities. Just always leave yourself with options, don't burn bridges before you are sure you can get something better.

Re: Need some careea advice

Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 6:36 am
by marty pain
Point taken,

I have no problems learning advanced topics, and have already studied OOP using Java in the past. I have been applying these skills to PHP and re-acquainting myself with design patterns in my spare time without any problems. The main problem is, in this case, the sheer quantity on stuff to learn. You can't learn everything after work and over the weekends.

I have been studying like a mad man for a while now, I even learnt PHP at home as there 'wasn't time' to study at work, even though it was for their benefit. It has helped tremendously although I still have a lot to learn, and things are now looking up, I might be able to actually go out side during my days off again soon :D