Technical field to not-so-technical?

[plumgrl74]

I have mentioned this a few times in my responses to other posts, but I wanted see if anyone here used to be in a technical field and changed to a career that's not-so-technical?

I'm 25, and I just recently quit my job as a software engineer because I wasn't too happy about programming for the rest of my life. I have a B.S. in Computer Science, but I'm not sure what to expect if I wanted to pursue a career in a less technical field, such as the health industry. Do I have no choice but to go back to school? Or are there other options I can try?

Basically, I'm just wondering if there's anyone else in a similar situation as I am, since it doesn't seem like it's very common to go from technical to non-technical. Or is it? Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!

[winneythepooh7]

What type of job would you be looking for in the healthcare industry?

[plumgrl74]

What type of job would you be looking for in the healthcare industry?

I'm not really sure yet. I just know that I've always seemed to enjoy the biology and psychology breadth courses I took in college. I love reading any medical-related news articles. Even with that said, the healthcare industry is just one idea that I think I would enjoy. I'm sure there are other industries I would enjoy, but I haven't figured it out yet. I'm basically at a point where all I know is that I don't enjoy programming...but unsure of what to pursue next. The thing is, whatever I do end up pursuing next might not be very technical...so that's why I'm wondering if anyone else has done that before...and what their experience was like.

[winneythepooh7]

I work in the healthcare field. I got my Master's in Social Work and have been working in this field for 10 years. It's hard to get anything beyond basic entry-level without a background/experience. In my area especially, it's an employer's market and even entry-level barely-able-to-survive-on-the-pay positions are super competitive.

[compgeek82]

Did you consider other not-so-technical roles in the IT industry? Business Analyst, Product/Program/Project Manager, etc? I think those are your best for the time being until you can completely change careers.

Also, you might want to consider getting an MBA.

[plumgrl74]

Did you consider other not-so-technical roles in the IT industry? Business Analyst, Product/Program/Project Manager, etc?

I have considered less technical roles in the IT industry, but I'm not very interested in business or management. However, I do have some interest in technical writing or user experience, but I don't have any direct experience for those positions. So I'm not sure how interviewers will perceive me as a candidate going from a programmer to a technical writer or user experience.

[spiritedaway]

Sure, it's possible. I did just that. I was in the healthcare field for the last 5 years, but I was in a business analyst type role (I recently changed jobs, though). I love tech and didn't want to leave field altogether; I just didn't want to do coding. :)

Long story short, I actually started in the healthcare field (due to a recession when I graduated) by taking entry level job in healthcare (mostly dealing with phone calls and enrollment paperwork). It was repetitive and mindless but provided a lot of opportunities to get the basics of healthcare down and eventually allowed me to help innovate and automate (using technology!) My year of solid performance (I was training new hires by end of year) gave me a edge in getting the business analyst job. They were looking for someone preferably with a master's degree (which I don't have), among many other requirements, and I contend that my entry level experience helped in getting the job.

Having said that, it really depends on what part of healthcare you're looking to go into. If you want to be a social worker, in most cases, you would need a master's. If you want to work in a office/hospital, those requirements will be different so you may or may not need to go back to school.

It's definitely possible to go from technical to non-technical, but I would say that my experience with a lot of coders/developers is that they really love their jobs, so you don't hear that they want to go to a non-technical route often, if at all.

Did you wanted to try a new field all together (healthcare) or did you wanted to stay in tech? If the former, it's an exciting field to be in, and if the latter, I second what compgeek said.

[plumgrl74]

It's definitely possible to go from technical to non-technical, but I would say that my experience with a lot of coders/developers is that they really love their jobs, so you don't hear that they want to go to a non-technical route often, if at all.

I know, right? It seems like all the people I know who are software developers love what they do. Makes me think there's something wrong with me! But then again, I guess programming isn't for everyone. Still, I wish my situation was more common so I can hear about what other people have done about it and how they made the transition.


Did you wanted to try a new field all together (healthcare) or did you wanted to stay in tech? If the former, it's an exciting field to be in, and if the latter, I second what compgeek said.

I'm perfectly open to trying a new field/industry all together like healthcare, but of course it's a much bigger jump than if I just stayed within the IT industry doing something like technical writing or whatever. However, it would be nice to know what that "big jump" involves. I don't want to just blindly go for it without knowing what to expect. =/ Sorry if it sounds like I'm repeating myself, it's a little hard to explain. Hope this makes sense :)

[wordsmith]

Why not look into doing something technical within health care?

[embrassezla]

I am making a transition from programmer/systems engineer to acupuncturist. I am going back to school, but my current employer is letting me go part-time so that I can afford it. Your employer may also be flexible if you need to go back to school.

EDIT: Oops, just noticed that you already quit.

[compgeek82]

Plumgrl, I agree with Spiritedaway, most developers really love their jobs. You're far more likely to see a developer get mad about being promoted into a less technical role than voluntarily moving away from development. There's just something about writing code and seeing it come to life...

Your development experience is a real asset and you should find ways to leverage it into whatever you want to do next. There are many different ways to combine technology with Biology, Psychology, or the healthcare field in general. I think it's going to be difficult to get into a completely brand new field.

User Interface design and Technical writing are exciting, but you'll probably be limited in jobs and career advancement.

If you don't know specifically what you want to do, try to get a less technical job in IT first, then spend some time planning what you want to do next. Don't let your resume get "cold".

[crystal_dance]

I completely get where you're coming from plumgrl. I graduated with a degree in computer science but really disliked computer programming. I kept looking for jobs outside of programming and downplaying the "tag" that comes with a CS degree. A good way to leverage your background would be to perhaps join a tech firm or a start up in a non-tech position. That way you can leverage your understanding of technology to do non techy stuff like business analysis, product/project management, business development,marketing, account management, technical sales, etc.

However I did notice that you don't want to go into business or management and in that case, your easiest way to ease into the healthcare industry (without actually getting a degree in a healthcare field) would be to join as a business analyst in some sort of healthcare field.

I went from programming to business analysis to equity research before I got laid off. These days having a tech degree isn't as restrictive as before since people see the portability and cross-discipline applications of technology.

[plumgrl74]

Thanks to everyone who's responded, I really appreciate your advice. So basically it sounds like it would be safer & more realistic for me to make the transition in a multi-step process instead of one giant step. So maybe my next step, as you guys mentioned, is to get into the healthcare industry in a technical role (since that's what my current experience is), just to get my foot in the door. I can also take some healthcare-related classes on the side that may be reimbursed by that company too, since it's relevant to my job. After that, I can start applying for less-technical positions within that company/industry.

I think that might just work out then, and I wouldn't have to go back to school full-time. I'll just have to stay in a technical position a little longer, which might not be so bad if I'm working in the industry I like. :)

[spiritedaway]

It's probably more realistic to take little steps. If you know for sure that you don't want to stay in tech at all, then I'd take a giant step if you get that opportunity and it's not too much of a financial burden.

I majored in Computer Information Systems, and took up to the highest level of computer classes offered (including courses like object oriented programming and Java programming). That's when it finally snapped in my mind that I didn't enjoy hardcore programming and decided to cut my losses. I love tech though, and worked in tech support while in school.

Due to the economy and a life event (out of my control), I eventually ended up taking that entry level healthcare job, and working in a different industry altogether for the last few (quite happy) years. It was longer that I expected to be in the field. I learned all the ins and outs about healthcare, got certified (part of the job requirement), and worked on the technical side of healthcare for a good part of the last few years. I could've stayed in the non-technical side of healthcare, but I gravitated back to the business analyst side because that's where my interest lies.

If you know for sure you don't want to do the technical or the business side and are willing to start somewhere that gives you the opportunity, it could be done. It just so happened that I started at an entry level. You may be able to use your tech background to leverage your way to the healthcare field. Like crystal_dance stated (and I wholly agree), "These days having a tech degree isn't as restrictive as before since people see the portability and cross-discipline applications of technology."

As for me, I enjoyed healthcare immensely, but I recently switched jobs and went back to a really cool tech job now. If I ever have a change of heart about my tech career, I would go back to healthcare in a heartbeat. :)

Anyway, best of luck! It's always scary to think about changing fields altogether.

[plumgrl74]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. It's good to know that I'm not the only one out there that didn't enjoy programming. :)

I majored in Comp Sci mainly because of my parents wishes (I know, bad idea). However, they were the typical Asian parents where you only have a choice of being a doctor, lawyer, or software developer and I was the naive highschooler who didn't know any better. ;): Anyway, about 2 years into the major I already realized I didn't like it, but I didn't want to change majors and end up staying in college for more than 4 years. So I stuck with it and finished my degree. By that point, I was like well might as well try to find a job with it. So I spent the next 4 years as a software engineer at a financial software company. I really gave it a good shot, you know, just tried to make myself like programming, but in the end...I just wasn't happy and couldn't bear to think I would do this to myself for the rest of my life. The job itself was also very draining, with disorganized management, impossible schedules/deadlines, and egotistical coworkers. By the end of the day I didn't even have the energy or the motivation to look for another job, much less change careers. After agonizing for almost 2 years whether I should quit or not, I finally just did it. So here I am!

Sorry for the long post, but I just thought I would share this story so you all have a better idea of where I'm coming from. It's kind of sad too because several people I talk to say it's like that in most companies. That's the nature of software development. I just got so disillusioned with this field :torn: A lot of times I would think that maybe I don't like programming because it was always in a stressful situation (i.e. school, unreasonable deadlines, etc.) Well, that might be true, but it sounds like it'll be that way for most companies. Plus, maybe I'm just really sensitive, but it seems like big egos are common among coworkers. So yeah, this field probably isn't for me.

compgeek, since you're a software developer, do you think the stuff I said is true in most places? What is your experience like in the workplace?

[winneythepooh7]

Just as an aside (and this is not necessarily directed at the OP), but it should be noted that even if you change over to a job at a health care company, that does not mean you are going to qualify for a job at a health care company that is completely different from where your background/education lies, even if you've been there for awhile.

I have people I work with ask me regularly if they can apply to work in my program, however, if they do not have the education and working experience that the STATE mandates/requires, it's the same thing as if an external applicant applied----my hands are pretty much tied.

[gemma-dahl]

I have considered less technical roles in the IT industry, but I'm not very interested in business or management. However, I do have some interest in technical writing or user experience, but I don't have any direct experience for those positions. So I'm not sure how interviewers will perceive me as a candidate going from a programmer to a technical writer or user experience.


Where I work, the front-end programmers (like me) and the back end programmers (I'd assume, like you) all work together on issues like usability testing. I am actually the only one who writes documentation and technical proposals because of my writing background.

Have your worked on projects that required usability testing, human-computer interaction, or writing? You can re-work your resume, and highlight those skills. You can get hired at the entry level as a technical writer, and with your programming background, I suspect you're actually a more qualified candidate than I.

Starting at a healthcare or even health insurance company is a great idea, like others have said. You can join the internal software or development team and get a chance to write internal documentation.

[compgeek82]

Plumgrl, you summed it up pretty accurately. That's the nature of the IT industry. You're going to find big-egos and difficult work environments everywhere you go. There are some companies that have nice processes in place, but things eventually become chaotic.

You should consider being a contractor. First, you make more money and secondly, you don't stay there too long. Also, since you're considered an "outsider", you'll be spared the politics. But of course, you'll be blamed for things going wrong.

You haven't mentioned money. Were you getting paid ok? Getting paid a nice salary kinda, sorta, numbs the crap you go through everyday at work :). IT is one of the few industries that you can get paid so much coming straight out of school.

Seriously though, you probably like programming, just not the work environments. Try creating your own projects. Having full control might change your outlook.

[plumgrl74]

You haven't mentioned money. Were you getting paid ok? Getting paid a nice salary kinda, sorta, numbs the crap you go through everyday at work . IT is one of the few industries that you can get paid so much coming straight out of school.

Actually, I was getting paid quite well and the benefits were good. I was also promoted from entry-level to mid-level after only 1.5 years without even asking for it. They really liked me. That was a major reason why it took me like 2 years to finally decide to quit. It was a really difficult decision for me. In the end, I guess all that money doesn't buy happiness.

I don't mind if my next job ends up paying less, as long as I enjoy what I'm doing and that the job has meaning to me.