Transitioning from Engineering to Software: How Can I Make This Career Shift?

Career Transition from Engineering to Software

I am Mirna, a mechanical engineer with a master's degree in turbomachinery specialization. After completing my master's in January 2012, I joined a company in August 2012 as a Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) in a Photovoltaic plant as an operation and maintenance engineer. I worked for one year and resigned from the company due to low salary and the company's current poor position.

I am now looking to transition into the software field as I have had a keen interest in it from the beginning. However, I do not wish to falsify my experience in that field to secure a job. Could you please advise me on suitable courses to pursue in this field? Also, I would like to know if there are companies that would consider hiring me without prior experience upon completion of such a course.

Thank you,

Mirna

Initially, you should consider enrolling in a project training program to update yourself with the latest technologies being used today by companies. Then, you can apply for relevant jobs in the software or IT field.

The Future of Renewable Energy: A Focus on Solar

The next decade belongs to the renewable energy field, especially solar energy. Many renowned companies are setting up Solar PV power generating units across various states in India. The central and respective state governments are encouraging solar energy by providing incentives. Your O&M experience in the PV field may fetch you good job opportunities, and there is potential for your growth. Why do you want to change from Solar PV to software where your growth prospects are not attractive?

Ponder over this before making any final decision.

Regards,
Pon

Hi, it's good that you have decided to stay away from fake certificates. You can take up part-time or weekend courses on IT software and development. There are many reputed institutes that provide such training. Try to network with people from the IT industry. Connect with individuals who haven't followed the usual route of Engineering/BSC IT but have completed additional courses, so you will know which path suits you better.

You can always work and study, although it might be a little hectic. It's not very difficult to get into IT, and there is ample demand that is not going to reduce in the future. All the best.

With your mechanical engineering background, I would advise you to look for specialized software training in industrial automation software. Some examples are:

1. SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems) / DCS (Distributed Control Systems)

- SCADA System SIMATIC WinCC - HMI Software - Siemens
- Other players in this area are General Electric, Rockwell, etc.

2. Building Management Systems / Environmental Management Systems

3. Check out more details at ISA | The International Society of Automation

4. Product Lifecycle Management Software

5. You can also consider training in ERP such as SAP, Oracle, etc., particularly in modules such as Material Management, Plant Management, etc.

- Check this link: http://SAP Module Overviews | List o... to site home) (Search On Cite | Search On Google)

You will understand software used in product manufacturing better than CS guys based on your hands-on experience on the plant floor.

Hope this helps.
Regards

Sir, thank you for your replies and suggestions. I agree with you that solar has a great demand in the future, but right now solar O&M is very dull, and it doesn't require many engineers to handle a solar PV plant unlike a thermal plant. Mostly, there will be one or two engineers per a 5MW and the rest of them technicians and helpers. Additionally, for that they are asking for 3 - 4 years of experience and they are looking for those who have already worked in other renewable energy fields like "wind". Another main point is that I am from a mechanical engineering background and I have done masters in that field. This is a major drawback when anyone sees my resume. That's why I want to shift to another field which could offer me a salary that would meet my needs.