Software Development Career Transition Course: A Year Two Road Report
Software Development Career Transition Course: Year Two Road Report
Last year I wrote a Linkedin article that promoted a newly developed DCU Connected online course. In that article I talked about my own personal connection to ICT Skills Conversion courses and about the rationale behind our Higher Diploma in Science in Software Development, a two year part-time course which charges no fees for students who are working but wish to make a career change. The course is part of the Government's ICT Skills Conversion initiative aimed at transitioning workers into areas of skills needs in the economy, and more specifically into ICT.
It’s now Déjà vu all over again as we are currently enrolling a new cohort of eager students on this course. It is now also the start of year two for last year's group of learners so it’s a fitting time to reflect on how things are going. In many respects the course exceeded my expectations. One is always nervous starting a new venture. Start of term is a giddy mix of excitement and anxiety for the journey ahead. How will students fare in an intensive and immersive course of study? What can I say to motivate them for the road ahead? How can we build a supportive environment with students to help them engage and build skills and competencies in software development? How can I instill the passion that I and my academic colleagues have for the topics?
Having a passion or a grá for software development is not a requirement (though it can help) for applicants to this programme. I've written recently a little on diversity in Tech and a problem we seem to have is that we labour somewhat with stereotypes of "techies" and "gurus" - typically white male obsessives working late into the night. I can be as obsessive and passionate about ICT as the next person. Yesterday at an open evening I found myself digressing into an animated conversation with prospective students on the merits and demerits of various programming languages - nothing excites a professional software developer more than a language war!
However, the real key is simply to have passion for learning. If you have that you can do anything and there is actually little real mystery to an IDE, a database or a programming language. The key is to give yourself the time, within the right supportive environment, to apply yourself and learn.
Year one has gone well. Many students from a diversity of backgrounds have successfully completed and are now entering year two. We have been busy during the summer making changes to the course based on student feedback and experience and, of course, the changing landscape of computing. Unfortunately this year we have not had as many female applicants as before. Last year the class was almost a third female, which although a minority, is nonetheless a high participation rate as far as ICT university courses go. We need to get there again this year. As a parent I am acutely aware we live in gendered world with blue and pink toy shop aisles. I was delighted to pick up a book on programming in Python for my kids by Carol Voderman recently ("Another variable please Carol") but we need more female role models in technology for sure.
So if you are interested in finding out what a programming language war might be, or more concretely if you are interesting in taking steps towards a career in Ireland's growing ICT industry, please let us know.
Contact us
If you want further information about the Higher Diploma in Science in Software Development or any of our DCU Connected online courses then please contact us:
+353 (0) 1 7005481
Hi Eamon, I am interested in finding out about funding for research at PhD level in the area of Design. Would you have any information on such?