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Law, Business degree, IT course (Cobol). I worked as a Cobol junior mainframe developer for 2 years.
Thereafter I worked as a project manager/Operations specialist / frontline customer interface (no training or knowledge) for 3 years.
Due to severe burnout I was unable to work for 5 years.
The last 2 years of my health sabbatical I studied another IT Course – Java, SQL, Javascript, HTML, Flash)
I now have my first job after 5 years with a small software company with big corporate clients – am in my 6th month with the company.
I’m working with .Net, C#, Advanced SQL, Advanced JavaScript, CSLA Business Objects.
My frustration is my lack of knowledge of these languages and I’m building applications using these languages.
I’m learning by going through other applications written in the company.
The company is making use of their own in-house written framework/applications so that when I read up on the .Net framework for example I cannot transfer that knowledge into my work environment as it is not similar.
I also work long hours which makes it very difficult to study.
I am 42 and realise that IT programming is probably not the best career choice I’ve made.
I’ve done the Meyers-Briggs test and I’m an ENFP.
This type of personality doesn’t appear to flourish doing detail work.
I don’t enjoy development/coding/programing and I’ve realised I don’t like detail work, I don’t enjoy struggling with code the whole day and figuring out how to get my program to work.
When I do get it to work I don’t feel that the code is clear and simple.
I would describe my code as tortuous in order to get to a result and my code is not robust.
What would you suggest I do in my current situation?
What skills that I currently have and am learning will be a huge plus in order to move to something else in IT?
If I know that it will be useful in my new career to have .Net, C#, etc experience then I will be hugely motivated and willing to put the effort in to learn it.
I do enjoy SQL and the web development side more. It is not that complicated and coding focussed.
I am picking up SQL experience but not really web development experience.
The Myers-Briggs Personality Profile is an extensive test that groups its findings into 16 different personality combinations.
It is based on the psychological philosophies of C. G. Jung that suggests there is order and consistency to the way people behave based upon how they perceive and judge.
Each personality type includes a combination of four letters based on four separate categories:
Focus
Interpretation of Information
Decision Making
Structure
Each of the four categories decide which personality best fits yours through a series of questions.
There are miniature versions of this test that can give you a brief idea of what your personality profile may be.
But, the entire Myers-Briggs Profile test is detailed, asking many questions to form a conclusion as to what categories
represent your personality.
The profile breaks personality down into four categories consisting of a choice of two letters each:
How do you prefer to focus on the world around you?
This particular category does not necessarily imply that you are shy or overly gregarious.
It is only an
indication of how you view your world.
Do you prefer to be alone to think things through or do you have to bounce ideas off of others?
I – Introvert
The next groupings of letters indicate how you interpret information.
Do you tend to add meaning to information you obtain, or do you focus mainly on just the basic information?
N – Intuitive
S – Sensing
The next set of letter abbreviations refer to making decisions.
Do you look at logic when you make decisions, or do you first look at people with the special circumstances and feelings?
T – Thinking
F – Feeling
The final set of letters is how you handle structure in regard to how you deal with the outside world.
Do you prefer decided situations or do you prefer to keep your options open?
J – Judging
P – Perceptive
(E) Extrovert - (N) Intuition - (F) Feeling – (P) Perceptive – An ENFP personality would imply that you are an Extrovert (E), Intuitive (N), Feeling (F) and Perceptive (P) personality type.
This
generally means that you are most comfortable with others around you.
You interpret information through intuition. You make decisions largely based on people and special circumstances (feelings). And, you prefer to keep your options open.
An ENFP\'s skills cover a broad spectrum. If something interests them, they are probably good at it.
They are project-oriented. ENFP personality types love life and want to make the most out of it as a gift.
They are driven by a strong sense of values in
everything they do.
An ENFP focuses externally taking things in through intuition. Your underlying mode, however, is internal as you handle things based upon how you feel about them or how they fit into your personal system of value.
This personality type tends to
be enthusiastic people who can become very passionate and filled with excitement.
They are warm, bright and full of potential. They tend to be incredibly good with people, bringing out the best in others.
They also seem to understand others intuitively shortly
after meeting them.
The world of an ENFP is filled with possibilities. They are inspirational because their enthusiasm tends to inspire those around them.
Communication skills are natural to them as they are able to talk their way out of just about any situation.
This post discusses the future of ENFP Personality Types As Business Analysts. Click here to read more about personality types and the Myers-Briggs Test.
Yes, an ENFP Personality Type has a future in computer programming on an individual by individual basis.
The two (2) major reasons why you are having challenges in your computer programming career is: (1.) A lack of passion or personal interest in the work of a software developer and (2.) a lack of understanding of how to study programming languages.
The pace of innovation in programming is high and besides that, each programming language like C# requires time for you to master it before moving on to another. As a matter of fact, we coach or advice people not to learn more than one programming language at a time until they truly become experts which is why you are way over your head.
Regardless of your personality type, if you get in way over your head with programming, you are likely to become overwhelmed!
So, there are a few solutions to your current work situation
Then take 6 to 9 months to focus on just one programming language.
Note that you may get fired in some companies for trying to make things better for yourself, so this may be a cue that you are in the wrong work situation!
Here is a post on: \"Why You Should Not Learn Multiple Programming Languages\" ...
Learn how to study programming properly because so folks can spend 6 months on learning a programming language and still not be able to make head or tails of it. Click here to read more about how to write code faster or better
Career burnout however is not good. It is a sign of career mismatch amongst other things.
If you are working in an industry that you are passionate about, you are less likely to burn out ... that is why it\'s time for you to ... Do What You Love !
A good career for you to consider as an ENFP Personality Type is the Business Analyst Career. Here are some of the reasons why I would recommend the Business Analyst Career for an ENFP like you ...
The Business Analyst Career is unlike the Computer Programmer career which depends more on the ability to repeat detailed, routine tasks without being bored.
Another good reason why a business analyst career will be better for you is that business analysis requires strong verbal and written communication skills which as an ENFP Personality Type you are probably naturally gifted with.
You are likely to get more job satisfaction I appreciate the way you laid out your question in this post ... which is another example of your suitability for the business analyst career ... you provided all the background information that was needed to help you and you even structured your question into a Background - Current Situation - Problem - Question - AfterThought Format ... Good Job! How To Start Business Analysis After A Career In Programming Is A Project Manager Or Business Analyst Career A Better Fit For You? \" target=\"_blank\">Pros And Cons Of Business Analysts Vs. Project Management Careers?Additional References