• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Need some career advice...

M

Martin

Lifer
Seeing as how I'm gonna be graduating in 3 months, I thought it'd finally start thinking about this seriously and see if I could get some ideas/feedback from here. Some background: My degree is in computer engineering and have some experience - worked part time for a year at the university's Alumni office doing stuff like small databases/websites, then 16 months full time at RIM. I started off as a Project Coordinator (an assistant project manager), but that morphed into what I'd call an "information system developer" - me and a coworker developed a large suite of apps/tools and a nice development environment that managed to become fairly popular.

So I'm wondering if you guys have any ideas at what I should be looking at. The main things I'm looking for:
- fast-paced/changing: I'd get bored and disinterested if I have to do the same thing for too long.
- getting stuff done: I'd hate nothing more than to work on a small, meaningless part of a long-term project. I hate overhead, bureaucracy, wasting time and generally anything that gets in the way of seeing the product of your work.

So here's some of the things I'm thinking about:

- software startup: there's plenty of good ideas, I have the skills, and it would be the ideal environment, but I don't think I can find 1 or 2 other dedicated and capable people to go along with me. Even if I did, success and money are far from guaranteed.

- software developer: might be interesting, but I'm not a "hacker"/star programmer and unless its in a small company, it might not be very satisfying.

- management: the intern that held my position at RIM before I did was hired back as a project manager, and my former boss might recommend me. But I have the impression that PMs are a bit too disconnected from the products of their work, so I can't see it as too satisfying.

- consulting/onboarding/implementation - did this one time at RIM and it seemed interesting, plus you get to travel (a plus in my book...for now), but it might suffer the same drawbacks as above - the work seems a bit too nebulous to be really appreciated. Could just be my impressions though.

So, any feedback on the above? Any other areas I should be looking into?
 
What kind of consulting were you thinking about? When I think of a consultant, i think of lots of industry experience and has been out of college for quite a while, just my thoughts though.
 
You don't have the expertise to create a software startup, and even if you did, it is extremely risky. I would recommend saving that option for when you have a lot of free time and a stable income already to throw down the drain until the startup could become profitable, if ever.

Consulting would be my suggestion based on the criteria you set forth. You seem to be a bit too worried about recognition at this point in your career, though.
 
get a secure boring meaningless drone job, spend your actual time on side startup.. get some real wheels rolling.. do startup full-time. pay me consultancy fee. voila.
 
Dang, I thought you were older than that.

I think your list of potential opportunities matches your skill set and is realistic, aside from the start-up. That's a difficult environment, and unless you've got some money stored up, can be a rough way to start out.

As a PM, you can be as connected or disconnected from your work as you allow yourself to be. Good PMs stay in touch, and there are precious few of them out there. If you like doing things that are hands on, you have the right stuff to make yourself a very successful PM.
 
Well at 23, I'm hardly a spring chicken 😉

But I think you're all overestimating what it takes to start a software startup. Before the first release, all you really need is to set up an extra PC as an application server, then start coding away. Living at home, you don't need more than 200-300 for various expenses. Only after the first release would you need to go to VCs, worry about promotion, etc. So the only things you really need are 2-3 capable people and lots and lots of motivation.
 
Originally posted by: Martin
Well at 23, I'm hardly a spring chicken 😉

But I think you're all overestimating what it takes to start a software startup. Before the first release, all you really need is to set up an extra PC as an application server, then start coding away. Living at home, you don't need more than 200-300 for various expenses. Only after the first release would you need to go to VCs, worry about promotion, etc. So the only things you really need are 2-3 capable people and lots and lots of motivation.
Click to expand...

The issue is self-supporting during that pre-VC stage. You have to have the cash in hand to be paying for rent and groceries. For some people, that's not an issue. For most students getting out of college, it can be a challenge.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top