What would you do if you had a good command of 14 computer languages, and a very broad and deep knowledge of software engineering processes incl. business analysis, requirements engineering, design and architecture, testing, server administration, etc.? I am asking for some ideas about how best to apply the end-to-end knowledge because big companies want everyone to contribute only in one area, and small companies are too immature without any decent process grounds. Research seems to be paid worst of all these options. Is there any way to use skills efficiently, completely, and productively? One idea is working as a contractor and changing jobs every n months (with focus on one language, but different domains, and different processes). Anything else that can be appropriate?

Hi mack

There can be multiple options for you to consider:

1. This is a specialist world. So, specialize in just one area of all those you can work on and excel in it. This you can do only in a big company.

2. Get a management position where your knowledge of all these areas will help the people you will manage.

3. Start your own company, may be a small start-up only. Think of some original / novel applications or other business ideas and go with it. If you are successful, it will give you enough freedom to work in any area you like.

4. Go for PhD / research and get into academics. It is one of very few jobs where you do not have to meet deadlines and see your boss everyday. You also have option to start a tech company.

Hope this helps.

Hi Incognito,

Definitely, it helped. Thank you very much for the ideas.

#1 yes, I specialize in one area (so I pass this filter and get positions in big companies)

#2 excellent, will do

#3 planned in January 2014 (just to create an Ltd instead of working as an individual)

#4 I am a PhD student. The academia has nice places where I could do, but best-paid positions are only in enterprises

I have synthesized a solution from what you have suggested, and concluded that by merging all of these options, I become a director of my own Ltd and simultaneously look for a job to be the IT director also elsewhere in some company.

Therefore, the solution is to do everything as a director, so that my knowledge helps the whole company, as well as potentially gives birth to a new tech company which is my own.

Thanks!

[quote]Quote From IncognitoJunior:
Hi mack

There can be multiple options for you to consider:

1. This is a specialist world. So, specialize in just one area of all those you can work on and excel in it. This you can do only in a big company.

2. Get a management position where your knowledge of all these areas will help the people you will manage.

3. Start your own company, may be a small start-up only. Think of some original / novel applications or other business ideas and go with it. If you are successful, it will give you enough freedom to work in any area you like.

4. Go for PhD / research and get into academics. It is one of very few jobs where you do not have to meet deadlines and see your boss everyday. You also have option to start a tech company.