HACKER Q&A
📣 linq936

Change Work as a Slow Learner


I am a slow and deep learner. I write software 30 years now and changed jobs only twice. Last time I changed from semiconductor to computer network, I romanticized changing industry was just to learn some new libraries, the transition was quite tough, yet I made it successful eventually.

Now the company's new leadership team is making changes I really hate and I am thinking to change job, given that most job openings are cloud and related, so likely it will be an industry change again.

I can see the following options: 1. Switch career internally. The Product Marketing group has opening and they are in my area. But writing slides daily seems not that interesting.

2. My company also has cloud engineering positions, I can apply. But that's still under the same management team of which I hate.

3. Just change job to a cloud company and see how it goes. This is the option I think of most, just that my heart sinks when I recall the painful transition 10 years ago.

If you have similar experience, can you share?

  👤 simne Accepted Answer ✓
I think, most switchers jobs are in small business, this is very different.

Big businesses will not hire person without experience. Exists very little probability, of works for interns, but I see extreme agism in this sphere, may be this is depend on country.

BTW, excellent movie about working as intern: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intern_(2015_film)

👤 dougabug
You could switch internally (ie option 2) and “grin and bear” the onus of the existing management team while you gained enough practical experience in cloud engineering to more readily compete for such roles at other companies.

Another option would be to find a new org where your existing skills are valued and management is supportive of you developing new skills and areas of expertise.

👤 shinryuu
Perhaps you could make the transition smoother if go down to part-time, and learn the stuff that you need on your own time. It sounds like option three is the option you yourself think is the most viable.