My degree is a B.Tech Mechanical and now I have moved to software development with 5.5 yrs experience in Mainframes.

With my age increasing now, how do I survive in the IT industry?

Now I wish to get into system integration or solutioning role (or may be system architect).

But I don’t want to limit myself to the legacy technologies project.

Since current market deals a lot with technologies like Java, C, .net etc., I know it won’t be easy for me to get into such projects to work in system integration.

Please help me understand the approach I should follow.

If you like data analysts, then you may consider becoming a data analyst.

That means that you need to learn a relational database like SQL Server or Oracle because most of the data you will be working with resides in relational databases.

You will also need to have some statistical and data analysis skills as well.

A career is a better option only when it maximizes your strengths and minimizes your weaknesses.

If you like working with data, you may also consider learning a relational database like Sql Server or Oracle and working solely on Database Design, Database Development and SQL Query Writing Projects

Download the Software Developers Study Guide Here ….

The concepts or topics you will be learning as a software developer are divided into:

1.) .NET Framework

2.) ASP.NET

3.) Csharp (C#)

4. HTML / CSS

5.) SQL Server Database Design & Development

6.) SQL

Note that the last two technologies involve databases and SQL.

That is because SQL skills are required for software development jobs even though they are logically different

What is the best career path to aim next, Is the Project Managment a better option or going back to mainframes, or learning Oracle or Datawarehouse is good option (I am good at analytical skills, and not looking at more paid but on gaing knowledge,Job security and career growth)

I am looking for Sincere Advice, I have 10+ Years Experience in Mainframe.

Now there are very less Mainframe Jobs i am planning (Desperately looking) to change career in software technology.

Since i like Programming and coding i choose .net (I felt Java is more Difficult for me).

Please advice me how to approach to learn .net.

And how much time it takes (I know this is wrong question , I am looking for rough estimate time in months) if i spend 3 hrs on work day and 5 hrs on week end.

Thank you very much for providing such forum.

While certifications can help your career, there are several other things that can help your career and then there are things that can significantly boost your career.

#1: Getting an Education in Anything can help your career
#2: An MBA can help your career
#3: A College Degree can help your career
#4: A PHD can help your career
#5: Writing books in your industry can help your career
#6: Giving speeches to professionals in your industry can help your career
#7: Starting a blog focused on your industry can help your career
#8: Getting hands on skills or handson experience in your Industry will significantly boost your career

What you need to do is to get as much handson software development experience as possible … doing that will significantly boost your career and whether regardless of your certification, it will help you get a job!

I then went back to get Microsoft certification in VB.NET, SP.NEt, and SQL Server.

However, I can’t get any of the programming jobs out there because they all require at least 3-4 years experience in .NET and nobody is hiring for COBOL.

Is there any way to get the kind of experience I need or is there a different path I should take?

C#, .NET FRAMEWORK, ASP.NET. SQL SERVER!

A number of Java / JEE shops are migrating away and embracing .NET Development because Microsoft’s Marketing message is finally catching up with them

A number of Java / J2EE Developers are also re-learning .NET Framework for the same reason.

If you are a master in Java/J2EE (7+ years of experience) and you don’t want to start from scratch, I may see your point.

But if you are just starting out, I will advice you to stick to .NET Framework, C# and ASP.NET for the near future!

LINQ is a Microsoft centric solution and some jobs will call for it. Having said that, I don’t think that not having LINQ on your resume will stop you from getting hired!

Remember that Microsoft puts out a lot of new technologies. However, until a significant time later, the older ones are still valuable and not only that, if you have a lot of knowledge in these topics, not knowing one thing like LINQ or newer 3.5 features will not stop you from getting hired … considering that developers are in good demand.

Learn what you can now … put out your resume and get a job and then continue learning … it is a never ending cycle

Now i am planning to change my career path.

I am looking in any other software development area.

I heard there is lot of scope in JAVA/J2EE,

Please advise me.

I began with ASP 2.0, with C#, but then switched to ASP 3.5 with VB and LINQ.

Is version 3.5 widespread or should I have stayed with 2.0?

Also is LINQ worthwhile?, from years of DB2 I already know sql.

I’ve downloaded Microsoft Web Developer and sqlserver.

Thanks