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Dentist to IT contracting, thoughts?

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    Dentist to IT contracting, thoughts?

    Hi Guys,

    I'm currently working as a associate dentist, but have always been quite passionate about the IT field. I chose to study dentistry over IT due to the job security dentistry brings. Being a dentist means working 9-5 more or less, so I have been able to use my free time to learn different languages (SQL, C++, Python). Everything I've learnt is from the resources available on the internet. I was wondering if this would be enough to get me a low paid contracting job? TBH, I'm not too bothered about the pay as I have been able to save up a fair about from working as a dentist (the day rate being 350-450, and not having to spend on accommodation/travel since associate contracts are long and easy to find locally). I have looked into getting a permanent role, but this would mean completely giving up on dentistry, which I do not want to do since I do enjoy being a dentist. Ideally, I would like to mix the two up, working as a dentist for a few months, and then getting a IT contract. I understand that IT is a field which is ever evolving and dynamic, but I've always wanted to experience this since I've only ever worked as a dentist. So, do you think this is something that is do-able?

    #2
    No. A contractor sells his experience and skills to clients that don't have it in house. You have to be a specialist with many years demonstrable experience delivering those skills.

    A bit of learning does not mean you are specialist.

    There is of course the fact there are many experienced contractors out there so you are the back of a very long and experienced line.

    Also low paid coding roles are is the hunting ground of cheap offshoring as well.

    Sorry.
    'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

    Comment


      #3
      become a project manager that will feel like you are pulling teeth!

      You swapping your Z3 for a ford focus or large detached in the best part of town for a travelodge in Birmingham?

      There are a a few hundred thousand a year reasons your mum wanted you to be a dentist, it wasn't sticking your fingers in strangers holes you could have apprenticed with NLyUK for that.
      Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.

      Comment


        #4
        Could you perhaps bring IT into the service you offer your clients? Write or use software to design dentures or other types of cosmetic dentistry?

        Could you implant a millimeter sized microchip into a tooth perhaps - for use by secret agents!

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by northernladuk View Post
          You have to be a specialist with many years demonstrable experience delivering those skills.
          I wouldn't go that far. Many clients want someone who is "merely" competent, not specialist.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by GJABS View Post
            Could you perhaps bring IT into the service you offer your clients?
            Plan B....!

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by GJABS View Post
              I wouldn't go that far. Many clients want someone who is "merely" competent, not specialist.
              Yeah I guess so but that competence has to be enough to beat whatever else is out there in the market to get passed the agent and then the client.
              'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

                There is of course the fact there are many experienced contractors out there so you are the back of a very long and experienced line.

                .
                That's what I was thinking, it's just hard to get the experience, especially when you are in just a specialised field. Is there a way around this such as undertaking one of those hands on courses you see advertised on the internet that provide some work placement options?



                Originally posted by vetran View Post
                become a project manager that will feel like you are pulling teeth!

                You swapping your Z3 for a ford focus or large detached in the best part of town for a travelodge in Birmingham?

                There are a a few hundred thousand a year reasons your mum wanted you to be a dentist, it wasn't sticking your fingers in strangers holes you could have apprenticed with NLyUK for that.

                Haha, I'm sure the contractors on £400+ per day contracts are not driving Fords or living in travel lodges. Dentistry does pay well since you don't have to climb up a ladder or gain years of experience before earning 60k+, it's normally a year after you graduate. That being said, my salary after tax ranges from 45 to 55k after tax and all the expenses (GDC fees, lab fees, indemnity insurance etc). To earn the mega bucks you have to own your own practise or specialise (being an orthodontist, oral surgeon etc), then you're on 120k plus. I've had a look into project management, but it doesn't really interest me much.



                Originally posted by GJABS View Post
                Could you perhaps bring IT into the service you offer your clients? Write or use software to design dentures or other types of cosmetic dentistry?

                Could you implant a millimeter sized microchip into a tooth perhaps - for use by secret agents!

                It's really hard to mess about with software when working as an associate since you are working for someone. They don't really trust you unless you have some sort of IT degree or qualification. It's the lab people who design the dentures using the impression taken by a dentist. We just use a computer to record the work we have done mainly. I would love to combine the two fields though.


                Originally posted by greenlake View Post
                Plan B....!

                Haha, if only.


                Originally posted by northernladuk View Post
                Yeah I guess so but that competence has to be enough to beat whatever else is out there in the market to get passed the agent and then the client.

                Hmm.. I'll need to find a way to prove to an agent that I am somehow more competent .

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by JusticeX View Post
                  That's what I was thinking, it's just hard to get the experience, especially when you are in just a specialised field. Is there a way around this such as undertaking one of those hands on courses you see advertised on the internet that provide some work placement options?
                  Again no. Most contractors have many years perm experience, not work placement.
                  You are a professional in a field. You wouldn't expect people to get dentistry jobs after dabbling a bit on the Internet. Why on earth do you think IT contracting is any different?
                  'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by northernladuk View Post
                    Again no. Most contractors have many years perm experience, not work placement.
                    You are a professional in a field. You wouldn't expect people to get dentistry jobs after dabbling a bit on the Internet. Why on earth do you think IT contracting is any different?
                    I've not dabbled a bit on the internet, IT is a field that has that has always interested me and have kept up to date even whilst studying dentistry and working as a dentist. Whilst completing a work placement in oral pathology, I helped create and implement a 3D pathology software, and a workflow to generate 3D models of tissue. I also helped develop novel software for viewing virtual slides with high resolution displays. I wouldn't except people to get dentistry jobs after dabbling a bit on the internet since you have to be registered with the General Dental Council in order to practise. As far as I'm aware, there is no such regulation in place that regulates IT contractors the same way.

                    Comment

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