Seeking Advice

**DonnieH** · 2nd February 2006

Hi

I currently work as a defence contractor and I'm looking to move out of this industry or at least obtain the skills that help me move more freely between defence and commercial areas.

I've around 8 years experience in large scale real time systems requirements engineering such as requirements capture and definition on major aircraft projects.

More recently, I have around 7 years experience in Software design, code and testing using Ada and tools. Top that off with System verification etc.

The thing is I have Fortran, Pascal etc under my belt also but obviously Ada is my more recent skill.

I've come to the conclusion that C++ would be a good start that would help me get better rates in defence and/or allow me to move into the commercial sector.

I have some training material that I intend to learn from home with a view to booking an exam at some college/Uni to at least gain the Qualifications. Then to get some commercial experience, I intend to write some apps and release them publicly on the net which would get me the commercial experience (no one is interested in quals alone).

The other idea was to take a hit on the rates (not too much though) and work somewhere for a lower rate but gain the training/experience with a view to aiming for the bigger rates with experience.

Any ideas on exams etc and where I might be able to make this whole process a lot easier and quicker than I planning. Any ideas on companies that are offering training on lower rates would be great also.

**Nikki** · 4th February 2006

so you are looking at gainign more quals as well as going into a company at a lower level to gain experience?

you thinking of operations / developing type sector? judging by your post you like / have the expereince in developing apps at a high level

**DonnieH** · 5th February 2006

Yeah m8. Most people agree that I have the right sort of experience but just no c++. It seems to me to be the ideal language for moving across to the commercial sector developing apps etc.

Hopefully, an accredited exam would help me at least move forward or a contract were I can receive training but still on a good rate. I can turn my hand to anything programming wise........its just convincing potential employers :-(

**xirokx** · 5th March 2006

try getting in contact with a professional body or institute and discussing with them what you want to do and how to get there. Luckily every field consists of these type of instutitues or bodies which are a great starting point to find answers. I would recommend you are clear about what you require in order to avoid them confusing you or waffling on about something else.

Good Luck