Career Switch from Procurement to Tech. Part 2

This is a recollection of my journey. It serves as a journal entry for me, but maybe it can inspire you if you are considering this path.

2023 (continued)

By this point in time, I was still doing procurement as my job. I did learn the tricks of the trade and I was steadily becoming proficient in it. However, I was getting incredibly burnt out. I did not see myself continuing as procurement as a professional. Maybe it was because I could not see the impact of my work.

I began exploring options for making the switch. I came across many options like part-time degrees, coding bootcamps, traineeships, and even considered taking another full-time degree.

I had a dilemma of wanting a relatively fast programme that could provide me with solid foundations and good chances of actually becoming a software developer.

That is where I came across Graduate Diploma in Systems Analysis offered (GDipSA) by National University of Singapore (NUS).

Chancing upon Graduate Diploma in Systems Analysis (GDipSA)

It is a 1-year full time course that included a 7-month intensive study period followed by exams and a 5-months internship period. I was attracted to the internship component and the relatively short timeline compared to the other options.

But make no mistake this course really needs a lot of effort. Usually for exams, I am only worried about not doing well. For this course, I was worried that I would not even be able to pass. But those fears were unfounded la. Still I had a genuine fear of dropping out of the course throughout the entire year. But I think the training was really pretty good.
— ForceMajeure (2022)

I scoured the web (mostly reddit and local forums) for any and every review of GDipSA. I saw mixed reviews of past students that the course was relatively technically demanding. However, I also saw comments that the course was rigourous and provided good training.

Although it very difficult and stressful to pick up a lot of things in short periods of time, if you put some extra effort and time on self study after class, you will find yourself in better place at the end of the the semesters.
— Lewis_Fairman (2023)

A cursory search on LinkedIn also gave me some confidence when I saw that there were indeed past graduates who became software developers.

Based on my prior professional work, I believed I had the will to prepare and complete the course. So, I decided to make an application and immediately started preparing for the course.

Preparation

The course was split into various modules and the first module had C# as the programming language. This was one of the main tutorials that I followed: Foundational C Sharp with Microsoft.

It was tough learning C# as my second language after only knowing Python, because of how structured C# is. Regardless, I still thought that it was worth it to prepare myself in advance.

The application process also included an aptitude test and interview, which I went for. Based on the tips I found online, there was not much to prepare for other than to be well rested.

Tech Learnings

  • C# Syntax and Console Applications

Application Outcome

The wait for the application outcome was making me nervous, I am not sure how I would have felt if I got rejected. I was already considering to quit my job.

Then, on 31 October 2023 - a Friday morning, I got an email:

Alvin's GDipSA application outcome

And the letter states…

Alvin's GDipSA offer letter

I was offered to become a student!

Thank you for reading! To be continued in Part 3!

Regards, Alvin

References