Skills Falling Behind The Times

Back in 1997/1998 I taught myself C and HTML. I moved on to Java at some point and then in 1999/2000 I went to night school to "legitimize" my skills with a formal education where we studied C/C++, Java, VB 6.0 and web development using ASP. I received the equivalent to an associates degree in computer programming/web development towards the end of 2000.

I was finally able to utilize my skills in some form in 2003 by creating Access DBs to track training and employee info for my department. While my skills did land me the job they weren't used much after I created the databases. I became more or less a data entry/trainer. In 2005 I took the lead on our work and asset management system. During the implementation phase there was tons to do. Basically I had to design the entire system from scratch since their existing paper-based system was ineffective. Now all I seem to do is baby sit the DB, assist in patch and hotfix installs and write some PL/SQL Flex SQL and create/run COGNOS reports. My DB access is limited to the application itself (Datastream 7i) and Read Only SQL+ access.

Coming back to this forum once again I realize just how "behind the times" my skills are. I usually put in a 50+ hour work week and my weekends can be limited. I don't really have the time nor the will to go back to night school. If you've "been there, done that", how do you keep your existing skills sharp and also find the time to learn new and emerging tech?

I'd say that you have to be in a situation where you use the skills. Is there no call for writing .NET, C#, C, or other at your place of work? If the answer is no, then you can't really expect to keep up with things unless you dump something off your full plate to make room for learning that you won't apply. That's a tough decision to make.

You could just regularly keep surfing the forums atleast once a day to atleast have a feel of what's currently going on in the world.

My place does have in house VB.Net devs who work on one program. I'm not in our IT department so the chances of me coding anything other than PL/SQL are slim to none. I was thinking about volunteering to create a more elaborate training tracking system in VB but the request would still need to be reviewed by the IT department and there isn't much chance they'd let a project like that go.

The only answer I can give (and it's not a good one) is 'Find the Time'. If you've already got decent skills then you don't need to go to night school but maybe coming up with a few pet projects to bang out at home in your free time would help. If you really don't have the time even for that then there isn't much you can do, I'm afraid.

A couple of less likely suggestions but might be worth considering:-
1. Have a word with you boss and say you want to get into some more programming stuff using up to date technologies. They may not have anything for you to do but there's no harm in asking. Suggesting projects (as you have) is a great idea.
2. Have you considered moving jobs. This might be a matter of staying in the same company but moving departments or it might be a case of moving to a different company. It sounds like you've got quite a broad and useful (PLSQL Java and C are HIGH value skills) skillset so with a well written CV you shouldn't struggle to get interviews.

In regards to our business some people say "if you don't use it you loose it" - I don't necessary agree with that.
I speak several languages but utilizing daily only 2 so others are sort of fading out untill I travel to another country.
Guess what? That skill that you thought was gone comes back in a day or two - you don't loose what you've learnt, it's just sits there and waits untill it's needed.
It's nice when you have a chance to master it, though...
Anyhow, I would explore different opportunities outside your current employeer - job market is though but again, you never know.
You have a quite of a skillset to just let go.

Good luck and don't give up.

I like FunkyDexter's idea of offering to do extra work with a software project. My department does need a way of tracking training compliance. I think I'll mention that to our director at our next meeting. I really do not want to move on. I'll have 20 years at this place in June.

Thanks guys. :)

Just to be clear, the point isn't so much to offer to do the project. The point is to make it clear that you want to do some up to date programming work. Offering a project just makes it easier for your company to say yes. Lead by asking for some programming work and then follow up by suggesting the project. If you do it the other way round it's too easy for the company to dismiss the project (they may not see the same need as you) and then you're left with nothing.

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I'll have 20 years at this place in June

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That's some good loyalty you've got there and, hopefully, the company will recognise that you're valuable enought to be worth accomodating. My suggestion to move almost certainly isn't apropriate to you, then, because you're obviously happy with the company. Stick with that. I've discovered that the greener grass on the other side of the fence was actually hiding a swamp enough times to recognise that being happy in your work's about the most important thing.

Good Luck.

I think I am going to try to get a full college degree. I've spoken with a rep from a local college that has an accelerated, online course for programming and app development. My transcripts from the tech school that I went to 9 years ago are being mailed to me. I'm going to see if this college will accept my credits and how much that would affect the classes I have to take. I'll base my decision on that. I do not want to spend the next 4+ years taking night classes (online or offline).

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Originally Posted by Shaggy Hiker

I'd say that you have to be in a situation where you use the skills.

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Bingo! If you can't use the skills at work, you won't be able to develop them.

There are still a lot of companies that a quite content to stay with their VB6 apps (I work at one of them) - moving them to a .NET platform has been, and I'm sure will continue to be, a laborious task.