Surviving Off-Shoring

[alisajid]

So rumor has it my employer, an educational reporting company, is looking to off-shore some of the engineering work we do to reduce costs. Much of it is basic ETL scripting in Python/Perl and some JSP/Servlets development. They're looking to retain 'core' product innovation efforts here at home in the states.

I need to figure out how to become part of this innovation effort. Clearly, the obvious points are to better engage the business requirements and users, and to aggressively solve problems beyond my perceived skill-set (PL/SQL Oracle, ETL, and Java).

I have an MS in CS from NYU, and about 5 years of experience. Frankly, I am not really sure what I can do to make myself stand out. More IT certifications, I guess I can get those. In my experience, I have found them to have no relevance to on-the-job issues. I could become Oracle certified, but I'm pretty sure Oracle certified PL/SQL programmers / development-DBAs are a dime-a-dozen off-shore. Same thing with Java certifications.

I've been thinking about taking my career in a different direction. Maybe an MBA in operations research, or an MS in Applied Math. I want to keep on using my CS foundation, but I want to expand on it. Being able to write general-purpose software is no longer enough. I need something else to give me a competitive edge. I could go back for a PhD in CS, but I don't really know what I would do with that. I know myself, and I think I would be a mediocre academic.

Make your suggestions.

 

[AAman]

What foreign languages do you speak? When my friend knew his entire group of engineers was getting slated to have their jobs shipped overseas, he moved to a new company- as their support guy to coordinate offshore services and testing. The MBA won't hurt either, but don't forget that on-the-job experience is always worth more.

My friend only has a BS, but guys with Master's were turned down for that same position.

 

[AU Tiger]

Improving your technical skills shouldn't help you too much at your current job. If you aren't valuable to the business then you are replaceable (well, anyone is replaceable). Knowing the business is more critical than your technical skills in some industries.

 

[Ameesh]

if you think any certs will do anything for you, you are deluding yourself.

you need to take charge of your career, get involved with your business and mangement team. get put on the right projects, going to school is not going to solve your problems

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

move over to the management side in some way possible - now many won't agree with this, but mention some kind of way to make this plan move forward quickly and see if they like it, maybe they'll like it and ask you to manage some part of it

 

[Evadman]

I moved into process development. *shrug*

 

[alisajid]

Originally posted by: Evadman
I moved into process development. *shrug*

How's that working out?

Regarding building business knowledge and better ties with management, I agree that's the way to go. I'm just not sure I might have enough time.

 

[boggsie]

In software, process development/improvement can be interesting, if you find an organization that is big/mature enough to see the potential in improving their capability. It used to be a viable choice with mid and smaller shops, too. Those gigs are getting more and more difficult to secure. Add to that, the pending release of Microsoft Team System, and software process improvement is going to be a much more difficult market to be successful - outside of the large enterprise.

I would go with operations research. You'll be able to apply this knowledge area to logistics as well. With the global economy leading to more and more imports into the US, it will be important to have people around with expertise in getting goods to this market, while utilizing just-in-time inventory techniques to reduce overhead.

Health care is also an area to explore. More and more baby-boomers will be retiring and in order to meet needs, the health care field will really have to specialize and optimize. There simply aren't enough care workers to meet the need - and you can't outsource that!

 

[ITJunkie]

Originally posted by: boggsie
Health care is also an area to explore. More and more baby-boomers will be retiring and in order to meet needs, the health care field will really have to specialize and optimize. There simply aren't enough care workers to meet the need - and you can't outsource that!

I was thinking this exact same thought. I made a management move from a .com to a doctor group and it has been a great move for my career. Healthcare will always need someone on the homefront, so to speak.