Changing Careers
For the last 7 years or so i’ve spent my time traveling to remote parts of the country to work in the oilfield. Those places are most often sparsely populated and either unbearably frigid or swelteringly hot. This was what I wanted as a Petroleum Engineer and I truly did enjoy the work.
Then the industry took a massive tumble (crazy for oil right?) with the onset of COVID-19 and everything changed in a heartbeat. I was laid off from a company where I had planned to work for many years. Why was this happening to me? What did I do wrong? The answer to these questions in reality was nothing. The world was changing and its need for the industry was changing as well. So what the heck was I supposed to do?
I spent the first few months scavenging the internet looking for any engineering job I could possibly qualify for, in the hopes that I could continue doing what I really enjoy: problem solving through engineering. Unfortunately I didn't have much success. Very few companies were hiring at all, and those with openings wanted 20 years of experience wrapped up in a Jr. level package and price. So, I decided to go a different direction. I decided to re-educate. I decided to become a software engineer.
Going back to school can be a daunting proposal. One that is especially scary when it’s something completely unrelated to what you’ve been doing. Did I remember how to learn in a class? Can I still do it? It’s was scary.
After doing some research and talking to friends who have experience in the industry led me to the Flatiron School. Their proposal? Teach you all the skills needed to be a full stack software engineer in just 15 weeks. This alone terrified me. My last education experience took me 4 years, how can I relearn in such a short time?
Well turns out I spent a lot of time in college not learning to do things I would need in my career. After 2 weeks of being at the Flatiron School, i’m sold. They teach you the skills you need in a style I had personally never experienced in a formal education setting. Rather than teaching theory off the bat, you learn how to actually do things. They let you fail and then guide you back to success. I hadn't realized it before but this was how I learned how to do the things i’m most proficient at. It’s how my dad taught me carpentry and auto mechanics, though neither of us knew it at the time.
I’ve been challenged so far and i’m enjoying it. I’m able to use my problem solving skills and reapply to a new topic. I’m excited to continue on this journey and I know it will lead me to a new career. Here’s to changing careers!
