Career path specialization
I have been a developer (MS technologies) for a few years now and have done a variety of applications for clients in different industries. Lately, however, I find myself wanting to focus on particular areas of development more than continuing to be a 'jack of all trades.' I realize that generalists will probably have an easier time remaining employed over the long run, but I think that a specialist might be more able to find work that is interesting to him/her.
Specifically, I am interested in pursuing more security-related development (biometrics, securing web applications etc). Is this even a viable option for specialization? Is there anyone who already does this sort of work, and can offer me advice on how to get started? Does anyone think this is a monstrously bad idea?
[810 byte] By [
Broodmdh] at [2007-11-20 11:21:13]
# 1 Re: Career path specialization
I know in the UK there has been talk of setting up an IT security BAR, like Law so people can specilise in IT security and receive a relevant qualification that will help them with roles in the government, and business.
Further, I know in the UK I think this sort of specialisation you are likely to find in somewhere like the government, GCHQ etc. MOD work, maybe there is something similar wherever you are.
# 2 Re: Career path specialization
Specialization in my mind would be a good thing so long as the employer has enough people to cover the necessary departments. I mean, if you had to know a little bit of everything, thats exactly what you would know, a little bit of everything. You simply wouldn't have the time to learn how to program C/C++, C#, VB, Java, etc... and learn all of the concepts in Networking, Database, API, etc... related to those fields. It would take you YEARS to learn all of that stuff. And even so, you wouldn't have a vast experience in each of them.
Specialization is necessary in a lot of cases, doctors don't study chiropractics/pediatrics/general medicine/cardiology/etc... it would simply take way too long and you wouldn't be able to have a vast knowledge in any of those fields, not normally anyway. IT/CS is somewhat the same, you can have a good general knowledge of the various implementations in the industry, but you should concentrate on a niche somewhere in a few related categories of the science and excel at them.
# 3 Re: Career path specialization
I live in Canada, and if there are security qualification programs etc I don't know about them. Aside from the SANS course, I don't even know of any place that offers courses in this sort of thing (I know some universities offer programs, but I have neither the time nor the money for this kind of commitment).
I currently work in a small development shop and I used to work in a consulting company, so I have a good deal of experience with various languages, operating systems etc. I've always had an armchair interest in security, and was hoping someone could give me some pointers. I agree that specialization is necessary in our industry, unless you are the sort that enjoys getting into a little bit of everything.
# 4 Re: Career path specialization
Although you might not have the time for the universities, it might be an idea to check the university courses out, what they offer etc.
If you find a course that might interest you, look to see if there are any companies sponsoring it, look at the company names being mentioned in their prospectuses, then go to those companies and see if they offer you the chance to specialise like you want.
That is probably how I would go about it partly.
# 5 Re: Career path specialization
In general in the software business, things change so quickly I feel that if you specialize you are going to find yourself unemployed in a few years unless you keep current with new technologies. That's my opinion anyway.
On the other hand, if there is an area that doesn't follow this patten, it would be security. Security is always going to be in demand. As long as you stay current with the latest security best practices/approaches, you should be okay.
Arjay at 2007-11-9 12:23:43 >
# 6 Re: Career path specialization
Arjay has a point, and I guess by specialization you shouldn't limit yourself to specific categories all the time. Leave room to dabble when you get the chance, it will give you a wider span of experience, but not make you delve into everything in detail.
