Starting an IT career path (Advice)

[Thedream]

u will be surprised many local IT managers kena 'snooked' or smoked... by FT...Local IT managers are seriously out of touch or not enough skill set to manage the FT... my friend is a software engr..who proceed to team lead then to project lead to manage FT form india... he complained they are too 'blockhead', cant learn more or accept more requirements... this or that also cannot... end up...cost his project also lose $$$...and he had to handle critical module...in case the FT screwed up... towards the end of the project.. he chase most of them back and recruit local fresh grad with higher pay and train them up..

 

Being in this industry coming to 10 yrs... we are seriously lack of local IT professionals...

 

Not surprised. The job of a project lead is very different from that of a software engineer. For example, a leader should not assume that he will always be able to surprise his team mates with his wealth of knowledge or that he has more experience than them in everything.

[Kkttt]

Don't bother, IT is a sunset industry here.

Fresh grads don't want to learn, managers with no brain do hiring. Hire FTs to do development, later on they also do hiring, then whole lot of FTs take over.

Standards drop, customers complain, but companies still act blur, cuz they THINK FTs are cheap. Take into the account the amount of time to undo their screwups, and they're not cheap at all. Experience is undervalued in IT. Better off wiping tables

[Relacklabrudder]

Many IT people I met all demoralised about career in IT, and changed line. Even my nephew also like them.

 

 

IT still better paid than electronics/semicon.

 

IT very wide. if u toking about SAP,ERP system architect, solutions manager, project manager i think the pay is around 7-8k after 2-4 yrs experience. it is very reasonable la.

 

i think for program manager overseeing a few projects, ~ 10-15k/mth

[Kkttt]

Not surprised. The job of a project lead is very different from that of a software engineer. For example, a leader should not assume that he will always be able to surprise his team mates with his wealth of knowledge or that he has more experience than them in everything.

 

I beg to differ. In IT, if you are a lead and don't know how to code, what comes out is anybody's guess. Have you seen an chief architect who doesn't know how to design a building? Would you let someone who didn't study medicine lead a team of surgeons operate on you? Why is software engineering not treated like engineering? Is it because no one will die if the program crashes?

[Dojon]

Yes, I 2nd this piece of advice..

One must identify his/her personal USP and leverage on this unfair advantage to excel in their career. Aussies are outspoken and articulate, they excel in client facing roles.. On the other hand, I see foreigners (PRCs, Indians, Singaporeans etc) filling up most of their backend roles and get paid obscenely as compared to peers in their own countries.

 

TS, while I salute your extremely optimistic, and Duracell Rabbit-centric attitude, do be cautious not to fall into a self-delusional trap.. I take reference from my observation that you chose only to reply to positive remarks and shy away from good intentioned negative ones.. Many here are merely offering advice in the best way they could

[Mazdaowner]

Like what everyone else has said, all I can do is add on. I've been in this industry for almost 20+yrs now.

All I can tell you is, there is no such thing as "normal working hours" I have been on 24/7 standby since

and have gotten used to the routine, so much for holidays when you check mails etc.. during and in the night as well.

Troubleshooting is part and parcel of the job. Salary wise, I'll keep mum about this, but will only say, it all depends

on your aptitude and attitude. 'am I going to retire, it all depends. I still need the job, and the associated stress that

comes along with it. And trust me, it IS seriously stressful. Good luck.

[Dojon]

I beg to differ. In IT, if you are a lead and don't know how to code, what comes out is anybody's guess. Have you seen an chief architect who doesn't know how to design a building? Would you let someone who didn't study medicine lead a team of surgeons operate on you? Why is software engineering not treated like engineering? Is it because no one will die if the program crashes?

 

 

Oh... haha... I beg to differ your 'differ' .

 

I have seen manager or lead who used know how to code and now dunno liao cause too long no use... They still widely respected though because of the leadership quality and the knowledge of the most 'in' and useful technologies and the way to use them. You ask them what is an array they probably forget. LOL

Just like in soccer, a coach doesn't necessarily need to know how to kick a ball to teach.

[Pltang]

I beg to differ. In IT, if you are a lead and don't know how to code, what comes out is anybody's guess. Have you seen an chief architect who doesn't know how to design a building? Would you let someone who didn't study medicine lead a team of surgeons operate on you? Why is software engineering not treated like engineering? Is it because no one will die if the program crashes?

 

ur expectation as a lead is to lead, direct and supervise, not to learn how to code... learning the basic can be done while on the job, but your priority is to MANAGE the team... if you have no leadership qualities but have the tech skills, u fail as a lead...

[Kkttt]

Oh... haha... I beg to differ your 'differ' .

 

I have seen manager or lead who used know how to code and now dunno liao cause too long no use... They still widely respected though because of the leadership quality and the knowledge of the most 'in' and useful technologies and the way to use them. You ask them what is an array they probably forget. LOL

Just like in soccer, a coach doesn't necessarily need to know how to kick a ball to teach.

 

No problem, everyone is entitled to their views

People who did it before would be able to appreciate the difficulties and do a proper planning. That I agree is an advantage over those who did not. These "used to do it" group are well suited to manage (i.e. admin and project schedule planning), while relying on those who know the details to lay down foundations and assign tasks to actual developers. End of the day, you will still need to hire a proper lead who knows how to code to lay down foundations, cut up the work, assign and monitor progress.

To add on, a coach doesn't get to kick the ball in the match, you still need good players to execute any strategies from a coach. If the players (developers) or the captain (lead) are screwed up, having a good manager doesn't solve the problem. That I feel is the state of IT.

[Hwt]

You ask them what is an array they probably forget. LOL

 

They should know what it is conceptually. It is not necessary to know how to write a code fragment that uses arrays. But it is important to know it consists of a list of elements, otherwise, there is a need to worry about the kind of suggestion, assessment, or analysis they are making or doing. Because in almost any architecture, there is something that resembles an array (or some cousin of an array), whether at the very low, middle or high level, may be except the stratospheric level that the president looks at.......

[Kkttt]

ur expectation as a lead is to lead, direct and supervise, not to learn how to code... learning the basic can be done while on the job, but your priority is to MANAGE the team... if you have no leadership qualities but have the tech skills, u fail as a lead...

 

Yes, management skills are also important in a lead role, I'm not disputing that. What I want to point out is that the view of "no tech experience is required to lead" is leading to a state where projects rely on FTs to be developed, and leads (locals) are at their mercy. Imagine they quote you 10 man days for a simple 1 man day job, and you can't counter because you don't know what's involved. Or a lead starting a project without knowing what technology or frameworks to use. Learning the basic while trying to lead is a disaster, imagine leading a platoon into enemy grounds and learning how to load a rifle. Your men are probably more lost than you, having hired by lost management. That's when the party begins

[Carben68]

Hey thanks bro !

 

Another rare constructive advice. =D

 

So to start off with private and "branded" companies is always an advantage compared to those who starts with government sectors ?

 

Actually I've got an offer from a seems to be private and 'well-known' but has good connections with government companies which actually doesn't care what kind of degree you are holding...

So may I say that even if you are 1st class honors starting from government coy and when you decided to switch to a really private 'branded' coy you will be lesser regarded compared to a lousier honors who starts from a good private firm maybe because you have done things closer to them?

 

I replied earlier, but the system hung. If this is a repeat reply, pls excuse and ignore.

 

The gist of my comments centre around your preoccupation with joining the government sectors. There is good and bad in both private and public sectors. You take it as it comes.

 

On another note, IT is a very generic functional skill, like legal, HR, Finance etc.. every organization worth its salt would need IT in some form or another. Don't tie yourself or limit yourself to a specific sector (unless its a matter of interest).

 

Cheers..

 

Ben

[Jasonjst]

haha... can't... Got wife and family and house to support...

 

I understand that I will be >FT if I act as FT outside and come back.... but.... it is beyond me.... =(

 

Don

[Good-Carbuyer]

no wonder... too bad... my dept's recruitment close.. almost every one claim OT till scare!!! too many s--t things happened till we need to employ part time to help us

My nephew regularly collectng incentives for solving issues his seniors/supervisors could not manage. Tourists in his IT department are creating issues (virus etc...) to hinder his performance. Perhaps like one gurkha fight against all.

[Carben68]

Yes, management skills are also important in a lead role, I'm not disputing that. What I want to point out is that the view of "no tech experience is required to lead" is leading to a state where projects rely on FTs to be developed, and leads (locals) are at their mercy. Imagine they quote you 10 man days for a simple 1 man day job, and you can't counter because you don't know what's involved. Or a lead starting a project without knowing what technology or frameworks to use. Learning the basic while trying to lead is a disaster, imagine leading a platoon into enemy grounds and learning how to load a rifle. Your men are probably more lost than you, having hired by lost management. That's when the party begins

 

 

I agree. You can't run the store until you've swept the floor...

[Good-Carbuyer]

Why not consider to be a FT in other countries like Aussie? For such skills, I am sure they will welcome Singaporeans with an open arm (compared to Indians, Pinoys and Chinamen).

My nephew went with classmates to spent 3 months in US exploring that option. Only offered to be waiter where there are Asian tourists dining regularly.

[Ingenius]

Many IT people I met all demoralised about career in IT, and changed line. Even my nephew also like them.

i have to agree with the above observation.

[Good-Carbuyer]

I beg to differ. In IT, if you are a lead and don't know how to code, what comes out is anybody's guess. Have you seen an chief architect who doesn't know how to design a building? Would you let someone who didn't study medicine lead a team of surgeons operate on you? Why is software engineering not treated like engineering? Is it because no one will die if the program crashes?

I like the way you put it. However, you may be aware that most buildings here are designed for winter accommodation. Unhabitable without compensation with some mechanical ventilation or air-conditioning. So layman or architect better?

Example: when we consult doctors trained in western medicine for flu. Anti-biotics (can weaken our natural immunity system) often prescibed.

Now I just take peanut butter, a table spoon or two every few hours, and I recovered. No medical leave needed. Peanut butter cheap off-the-shelf food from supermarket. No side effect/addiction .