Being Made Redundant, Looking To Change Career

AndyCr15 · 17 Jul 2021 at 20:42

I found out this week I will be made redundant early into next year. I've been in retail management for the last 20 years, but don't want to stay in retail. I'm not entirely sure what I want to do, but something in tech/programming might be good.

A few years back I learnt the very basics of a few different languages (Java/Android/HTML/PHP/SQL etc) so I guess building on one of these might be a good way to go. Perhaps I'm strange, but I really like working with Databases, so maybe I go into SQL?

Financially I have up to two or three years before I need to definitely work again, so time isn't a huge factor I guess?

I saw someone mention Coursera in a different (similar) thread. Do they provide actual qualifications that companies will recognise and help me find new employment?

Failing this, what other qualifications should I look to do? What other languages would anyone recommend? Is it worth seeking the help of a recruiter?

Thanks for any advice offered

Quartz · 17 Jul 2021 at 21:37

Given the slump in retail, I don't blame you. But rather than go for a technical career, why not just transfer into IT management? PCs are widgets just as much as toasters. Beans still need counting. People still need to be led. Being tech-aware will stand you in good stead.

AndyCr15 · 18 Jul 2021 at 06:41

Quartz said:
why not just transfer into IT management?

Yeah, I guess I figured I would need the actual IT experience first?

Semple · 18 Jul 2021 at 08:46

AndyCr15 said:
Yeah, I guess I figured I would need the actual IT experience first?

Some of our project managers aren't very technical. They know the basics, but if you asked them to explain in quite a bit of depth how a certain component worked, they would struggle.

At the end of the day though, their role is to manage the project, and leave the technical stuff to the technical people.

tom_e · 18 Jul 2021 at 08:53

AndyCr15 said:
Yeah, I guess I figured I would need the actual IT experience first?

Depends on the company our place specially hires managers with no IT expertise as they're there to manage and we're there to be the subject experts.

AndyCr15 · 18 Jul 2021 at 08:54

I think one of our customers once spoke to me about how I could be a project manager in his tech firm... Some good ideas, thanks guys. Keep them coming

tom_e said:
Depends on the company our place specially hires managers with no IT expertise as they're there to manage and we're there to be the subject experts.

Let me know if they're hiring, my family is in Shropshire

gpuerrilla · 18 Jul 2021 at 08:57

From a perspective of a person working in IT at a SMB, an area to think about is the use of meeting apps co co-ordinate. You would not believe how many people struggle with zoom etc. so possibly training and managing is a larger reality right now.

I seen your thread in the programming forum and database is a good skill to have. I would learn this on the side right now while getting a filler job with some IT requirement to start building up some exposure. Cant really offer much shortcuts for you off top of my head.

AndyCr15 · 18 Jul 2021 at 09:59

Th0nt said:
I would learn this on the side right now

Yeah, I have a reasonable understanding. I made a web app for work that uses a MySQL database, but I still get a little confused with Joins and such. Rather than just doing more Udemy courses, do you know what a good established and recognised qualification would be?

I've also never really used API's. Maybe I make myself a project that uses Strava data or something?

tom_e · 18 Jul 2021 at 10:11

AndyCr15 said:
I think one of our customers once spoke to me about how I could be a project manager in his tech firm... Some good ideas, thanks guys. Keep them coming

Let me know if they're hiring, my family is in Shropshire

I'll keep my ears open, this place is how I ended up with a job there

gpuerrilla · 18 Jul 2021 at 10:17

AndyCr15 said:
Yeah, I have a reasonable understanding. I made a web app for work that uses a MySQL database, but I still get a little confused with Joins and such. Rather than just doing more Udemy courses, do you know what a good established and recognised qualification would be?

I've also never really used API's. Maybe I make myself a project that uses Strava data or something?

You dont need a piece of paper to be able to say your good at this btw. Start on a platform like this one, poke about and when your happy stick to an area (like SQL server) to get your skills. It is easy to interchange between M$ and say mySQL later on. If you built an app or product work used then use that in your portfolio to showcase what you have done - it will be better than basic qualification.

radderfire · 18 Jul 2021 at 10:31

Decide if you want to be IT management or a technical person, because they are very different. To be technical, you have to really love learning and have the ability to make everything work, and be happy being "technical", i.e. know you want to do that rather than anything else.

SQL is a good specialism for technical, because there are plenty of opportunities. You then have to decide whether you want to be an SQL developer, or a Database Administrator (DBA). Again, these are quite different roles, so choose whichever fits your skillset.

Then just get involved in the SQL community. Microsoft also organises local meetups around SQL, so you can find useful contacts there.

AndyCr15 · 18 Jul 2021 at 21:12

radderfire said:
Decide if you want to be IT management or a technical person

I think the end game would be management, I guess if there's no need to go through the technical aspect, then why bother? In retail I came straight in at management and whilst it would perhaps be better to have worked through all the levels, it certainly didn't hinder me much.

My brother (who works in tech) has suggested if I'm going into management then to check some Udemy courses on Scrum as that's what they use for project management.

gpuerrilla · 18 Jul 2021 at 21:59

No point reinventing the wheel if your transferring your management skills to another industry. A good manager doesn't have to be versed in the ground level tasks - it just helps. Getting the most from your team and delivering the goods will beat any role regardless of quals/experience people showcase.

HangTime · 18 Jul 2021 at 23:36

AndyCr15 said:
Yeah, I have a reasonable understanding. I made a web app for work that uses a MySQL database, but I still get a little confused with Joins and such.

When I was learning SQL I didn't "get" joins for quite a while either (instead I relied heavily on subqueries which seemed more logical to me), until I had a eureka moment. I guess it depends on your learning style, but for me it just clicked into place one day.

As for the question, I'd echo the suggestions to just transition over to management in another industry.

AndyCr15 · 19 Jul 2021 at 06:07

Th0nt said:
No point reinventing the wheel if your transferring your management skills to another industry.

HangTime said:
I'd echo the suggestions to just transition over to management in another industry.

Yeah thanks, I'm feeling for comfortable with this now. I have a few friends in tech who are also say this. They say a lot of actual coders that move into management, go back to coding as they don't like the management aspect or simply can't do it. In fact, I'm sure something like that happened to my brother.

I guess my next question is about finding a job then (I'm actually getting well ahead of myself, as I'm not redundant for 6 to 8 months and I want to take 4 or 5 months off too... but I like to know my own roadmap I guess) do you just look and apply yourself, or do you go through a recruitment company?

tlrBeta · 19 Jul 2021 at 09:46

If you have been in retail management and I appreciate you fancy technology. Like others have said above, IT Mgmt roles - you don't need to be fully in the detail

In addition to that, have you thought about any sort of Customer Success/ Relationship manager roles? They are front facing, you can find a balance on how much tech or product knowledge you want to get involved with.

Question is, do you enjoy being front facing?

Chuk_Chuk · 20 Jul 2021 at 07:38

tom_e said:
Depends on the company our place specially hires managers with no IT expertise as they're there to manage and we're there to be the subject experts.

Out of curiosity, what is your (and others)opinion on this? Do you think it is a good idea?

gpuerrilla · 20 Jul 2021 at 08:24

Yeah I think in some companies its not as critical. In other industries its good to have someone that's worked their way up as the hierarchy respects them as sometimes they know the area inside out. As has been mentioned though, if all they need is someone to 'manage' the workload and expectations as long as they get the basics of IT a good manager can sometimes be a people person rather than a nerdy geek..

You do see sometimes the clueless person running the show. This can be a disaster as companies can be afraid to move them on.

AndyCr15 · 20 Jul 2021 at 09:52

Th0nt said:
a good manager can sometimes be a people person rather than a nerdy geek.

I like to think I'm a reasonable to good combination of both... it could almost be my perfect role that I really should have looked at many years ago?

gpuerrilla · 20 Jul 2021 at 10:34

AndyCr15 said:
I like to think I'm a reasonable to good combination of both... it could almost be my perfect role that I really should have looked at many years ago?

You can attack from either end. Be a good manager and learn some tech (sounds like you) or be a good tech and try to learn to be a manager (normal company behaviour pre 2010). Just my opinion of course!