The next career step for an AS/400 jockey

When you know RPGLE development and want to move to something new, what choices do you have?

Dear Bob ...

I was trying to find some information on what new IT technologies might be in demand. I'm 30 years old, and have been an AS/400 RPGLE Programmer since about 1997 (wow, this sounds like a Programmer's Anonymous meeting).

I love doing the coding, and really enjoy it, but I don't want to get stuck being a 40 or 45 year old RPGLE Programmer. I was looking up things like maybe learning encryption, or even Game Programming (not design) just because the Game Industry is booming right now. Even as the economy gets worse, the Game Industry is going strong.

I'm just a bit confused as to where my career path should go. I'd like to continue programming, but in a more in-depth way than just Shipping or Manufacturing companies can allow. Where do I go from here, or better yet, how do I figure out where to go?

- The Shattered Raven

Dear Raven ...

Since you've been reading Advice Line and Keep the Joint Running for awhile, I'm sure you've already taken yourself through the Venn Diagram analysis -- your career is the intersection of what you like to do, what you're good at, and what someone else is willing to pay you to do. It sounds like you've landed on "write code for a living" as the answer.

The question, then, is what kind of code. My guess is that a move to computer gaming would be difficult, at least in one career step. The event-loop-driven programming required to create computer games (gamers - please don't hit me for this crass oversimplification!) has little in common with business application development. The closest business equivalent I know of is factory automation and real-time controls.

Since it sounds like you're most interested in a position that presents you with difficult technical challenges, I'd have to say the biggest demand that's consistent with your experience would be in the business application software industry, as opposed to consumer software or what you'd face by continuing to work in end-user companies.

I'm referring to companies like Lawson, Oracle (the application arm), SAP (if you want to learn German and re-locate), SalesForce.com and their competitors.

So far as technologies are concerned, the various SOA technologies would be high on your list of tools to master, as would JavaScript (although it's probably too lightweight for the challenges you really want to deal with).

An even more likely route would be looking for work with a strong systems integrator. That plays to your strength. If you head down that road, mastering one or more of the major middleware technologies (BEA and its competitors) would be top of my list. Connecting systems to each other in a planned, architecturally sound way is still difficult, interesting work. So far, the technological advancements in the field have mostly made the easier tasks even easier. The truly hard tasks are intrinsically hard.

Which sounds like what you're looking for.

That's my take on it. Advice Liners ... what do you think? Click the Comments button and give your perspective on this.

- Bob