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  Asked: Jul 12 2005   9:17 AM GMT
  Asked by: neilm1m

Changing career


Staffing, Career development

Hi,

I have been working on AS400 in various capacities (operator, ops analyst, tech support) for approx 11years and am very keen to move over to programming in RPG but don't really know how I should go about making that move.
There never seems to be many opportunities for trainee/junior programmers but allways plenty for more senior positions.
I do have some experience, when I first started on AS400 I spent 6months learning to code but got sidetracked to Operations. I also regularly code with CL.
Can anyone give me some suggestions as to how I can break through into this?

Thanks in advance.

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Last Answered: Jul 12 2005  9:58 AM GMT  by HowieK




It is my feeling that, sometimes, you have to take a step back in order to move ahead. Check with companies in your area to see if they have in-house or subsidized training prgrams. If you can make a lateral move into a position you are familiar with, the opportunity to participate in such a program would give you what you are looking for.
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byimw02  |   Jul 13 2005  8:40AM GMT

Programming is more involved than simply coding. However, if you regularly program in CL, learning another language or syntax is simple but finding the time can be challenging. ‘On-the-job’ training can be achieved by picking a daily task you perform and attempting to automated or improve using CL and an HLL program. As an Admin with COBOL experience, I learned RPG changing rudimentary tasks including daily backups, user maintenance and production job streams using RPG and CL. I am sure you can find a process that needs improvement. Eventually, the company sent me to IBM for a one-week RPG class. In your next interview or performance review, negotiate for programming training. It does not hurt to ask. Good luck.