Career Change Advice

Patrick23

Hi all,

I have done an MSc in computer science which followed then by a PhD in Computer Security. All my jobs and internships so far involved technical aspects but I am getting "sick" of programming stuff and it is definitely time for a career change.

I just turned 30 in March and obtained my PhD degree a couple of weeks before that. Now I am curious whether I still qualify as a candidate for a graduate program. My interests have shifted over the last years more towards business aspects, accounting and finance.

I know being and becoming a "bankster" or accountant at the moment is hard and tough but does anyone know if there is still a possibilty for me with my technical background or do I need to hang out with the geeks for the rest of my life.

Many thanks for all your comments,
Patrick

relic

There might be the odd graduate scheme that will take you on in accounting, but none of the big 4 will.

Why do you want to change? Do you have any experience of accounting? I have worked in IT and currently in accounting, and I can tell you the real geeks actually work in accounts.

getmore4less

Are you not at risk of falling into the trap of always looking for something new.

Accounts will get borring after a while as well

Have any of your projects been a decent size and full lifecycle and ongoing

I would look for a company/industry that you find interesting that redirects the motivation and get in with the technical skills and then look for business opportunities from within.

What about the fool favourate in Edinburgh they are looking for good technical people.

http://www.indigovision.com/index.php/en/careers.html

Patrick23

Thanks gents for your answer. Indeed, there is a risk that I might always be looking for something new and I am aware that this
is not ideal. However, I am really unhappy at the moment with my role and I need to look for alternatives. I am not the hacker who
sits in front of the computer to program 12 hours a day and I will never be this guy.

Therefore I am looking into this alternatives mentioned above. Relic, I am just wondering how you managed to end up in accounting
after working in IT, maybe I could go down a similar route as you.

Thanks getmore4less for your suggestion but Edinburgh is just a bit far away, I am more or less settled in London.

Cheers,
Patrick

relic

Patrick23 wrote: »

Thanks gents for your answer. Indeed, there is a risk that I might always be looking for something new and I am aware that this
is not ideal. However, I am really unhappy at the moment with my role and I need to look for alternatives. I am not the hacker who
sits in front of the computer to program 12 hours a day and I will never be this guy.

Therefore I am looking into this alternatives mentioned above. Relic, I am just wondering how you managed to end up in accounting
after working in IT, maybe I could go down a similar route as you.

Thanks getmore4less for your suggestion but Edinburgh is just a bit far away, I am more or less settled in London.

Cheers,
Patrick

I'll be honest and tell you I was really VERY lucky. I was made redundant, decided to go for an admin job here at this accountancy practise, had a really good interview, but basically said I was overqualified. Got a phone call a few days later to see whether I would consider joining them as an accountant, with training involved.

Took it mainly because it was full time work, and I considered it to be a good career move as there were plenty of accountancy type roles in my area. I am in the process of qualifying myself in another area though, I don't particularly enjoy the work although where I work and the people are great.

What about looking at MI5/SIS with your experience / qualifications / location?

Patrick23

Cheers relic, I guess you need a bit of luck during the job hunt process.
I would definitely consider the options you mentioned (MI5 & SIS), unfortunately I am from Germany so this rules employment with any of this institutions out for me.

relic

Patrick23 wrote: »

Cheers relic, I guess you need a bit of luck during the job hunt process.
I would definitely consider the options you mentioned (MI5 & SIS), unfortunately I am from Germany so this rules employment with any of this institutions out for me.

How long have you lived here for?

smileylondongal

There is no harm in applying to graduate programmes however you have two obstacles ahead of you - one being it's an entirely different field to which you studied, the second being that you've done a PhD in your field.

If you could do a finance-related qualification this would go some way to proving to employers as to your motivation for changing career paths. it's not unheard of but you really need to prove yourself and in this market, that's by either doing work experience or a qualification in the subject. The former is hard in this economy so the latter is a more reasonable expectation.

If you had done an MA it might still be questioned but accepted provided the right answers, however a PhD on a graduate programme is 'almost' unheard of.

Personally, I don't think a graduate programme suits everyone and there is no reason you couldn't have structured pay and development in the right experienced hire/graduate not in a programme role.

Patrick23

relic wrote: »

How long have you lived here for?

Almost 5 years, however, those institutions require that you were born in the UK in order to be able to get security clearance.