I've just got my degree in Computer Science with Business Information Engineering from the University of Hull.  I'm also a full member of the British Computer Society and have a computer engineering qualification.  Now that I’ve graduated, my year long job as the VP for Academic Representation in the Student Union has started. That job involves the following:

• Being in charge of somewhere between 350 and 400 student representatives in departments across the university.
• Being on roughly 20 committees and chairing some of them.
• Overseeing the Postgraduate Committee and managing its budget.
• Overseeing the union's Training Team and managing its budget. The Training Team is there to provide skills like time management, creating presentations and making CVs. All trainers (including myself) go on the National Student Training Programme, which makes sure we have a recognised qualification to back up what we're doing.
• I liaise with the Advice Centre on Academic matters.
• I look after the academic interests of all types of students and get involved with a number of campaigns relating to groups like mature students.
• I'm a signatory for the charity side of the Student Union.

After this job is over (sometime in June 2007), I'm considering going for a job in the university's Quality Office (deals with learning and teaching quality) if they have any jobs on offer. If they don't, then I may look for other jobs in the uni if there are any that interest me.

My worry is that if I don't go into a computing job in the next few years, I might be considered by some employers to be 'out of touch' with what's happening - even though it won't be true. My ideal job in computing would be something that offers both management and some level of programming.

The big question - how long can I go without being in a computing job?

Pimp Daddy

Dear Pimp Daddy – Hee.  Hee.  That just sounds funny.

Anyway, Dear Pimp Daddy – First, congratulations on your graduation and appointment as VP for Academic Representation.  That sounds like a great opportunity, especially since you want to go into management eventually.

Your fear is valid.  The longer you stay out of a hands-on software development job, the more future employers may question your qualifications.  While the recruiter in me says, “Get that software job as soon as you can!,”  I think you should follow your passion.  If that means taking a role with the Quality Office after your VP appointment, that’s what you should do.  It’s most important to do what you love.

That said, to ensure you demonstrate to employers that you are staying “in touch” (and well, so that you actually DO stay in touch!), I would recommend working on software projects in your spare time.  You could work on some open or shared source projects, or if your university will allow it, you could work as a part-time paid consultant for another business.  This work – whether paid or not – will help keep you entrenched in the software development process.  It will also be great experience to add to your CV or resume, and you can continue building contacts within the software industry.

I’d also recommend attending industry conferences when you can.  These conferences will enable you to take a few “refresher” courses, expand your network, and again show through your resume that you were staying in touch with the latest technologies.

I'm also going to give you the same advice I gave Mike. Even though this VP role is great experience for a management role, you will likely need to start out your software engineering career as an "individual contributor" and then work your work way up to management.  You probably know that, but just wanted to throw it in. :)

Good luck!
gretchen

Pimp Daddy’s question can be viewed in the JobSytnax Forums in the Time Out of the Computing Field Thread.  Please offer up your advice, too!

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