Home > Career > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help

How can I switch careers to IT at 35 with a civil engineering degree and no programming experience?

Chocko

Chocko Valliappa  |539 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Entrepreneur, Educationist - Answered on Aug 08, 2024

Chocko Valliappa is the founder and CEO of Vee Technologies, a global IT services company; HireMee, a talent assessment and talent management start-up; and vice chairman of The Sona Group of education institutions.
A fourth-generation entrepreneur, Valliappa is a member of Confederation of Indian Industry, Nasscom, Entrepreneurs Organization and Young Presidents’ Organization.
He was honoured by the YPO with their Global Social Impact award in 2018.
An alumnus of Christ College, Bangalore, Valliappa holds a degree in textile technology and management from the South India Textile Research Association. His advanced research in the Czech Republic led to the creation of innovative polyester spinning machinery.... more
Shwetha Question by Shwetha on Aug 05, 2024Hindi
Listen
Career

Hi My name is shwetha I am 35year old... I have done my graduation in civil engg .. I have teaching experience and from the past five years I am unemployed.. I am looking for career shift to IT I have no programm in knowledge.. please help to choose a career

Ans: Hello Shweta, Good to learn about Civil Engineering teaching expereince. I am sure you had a good reason to be on a long sabbatical. As a Civil Engineering graduate it may be a lot easier for you to pick knowledge of software used in Civil Engineering professsion, espcially the ones that are currently being taught in the Civil Enggg courses. Within the vast field of Civil Engineering look for niche areas where you could excel far more easily than doing simple programming.
Career

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Patrick

Patrick Dsouza  |1428 Answers  |Ask -

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Jun 05, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 20, 2024Hindi
Listen
Career
Hello sir/mam My age is 24 years I have completed my Bsc(MECS) In the year of 2021 Later i completed my MBA in marketing in september (2023) While working as a manager in Fitness industry Taking on responsibilities of sales & operations, During the same time period ,as a means to support myself and family financially to an extent Reason for doing mba instead of mca , i was not sure ,if i would go work in IT ,so, i did my mba with plans of doing course from outside, if i ended up switching Currently i have completed 2.6 years in my current role, I feel like ,i am stuck,burnt out, I am planning for a switch in my career But ,i am confused between IT, & Non IT My friends are suggesting me to do DEVops, which requires me to learn coding language Some are saying to go for Businesses Analysts, as you are a very good communicator, and it requires very less coding I am confused on what should i do Should i switch to IT, If i do ,what are the challenges,that i need to overcome, Are there any other roles which i can try for ,based on my qualifications I am currently earning a salary of 25k per month plus incentives which varies on monthly basis
Ans: There are many options available. You will have to match your interest with what the job market requires. In IT field itself there are many options like Data Science, Data Analyst, Business Analyst, etc. Can go to other relevant fields like Digital Marketing, for which you will have to upskill yourself. Can do so along with your current job.
Developer role may not have a long term prospect with the advent of AI as a lot of developers are losing their jobs.

..Read more

Latest Questions
Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

...Read more

Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |676 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Dec 04, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 02, 2025Hindi
Relationship
My married ex still texts me for comfort. Because of him, I am unable to move on. He makes me feel guilty by saying he got married out of family pressure. His dad is a cardiac patient and mom is being treated for cancer. He comforts me by saying he will get separated soon and we will get married because he only loves me. We have been in a relationship for 14 years and despite everything we tried, his parents refused to accept me, so he chose to get married to someone who understands our situation. I don't know when he will separate from his wife. She knows about us too but she comes from a traditional family. She also confirmed there is no physical intimacy between them. I trust him, but is it worth losing my youth for him? Honestly, I am worried and very confused.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I understand how difficult it is to let go of a relationship you have built from scratch, but is it really how you want to continue? It really seems to be going nowhere. His parents are already in bad health and he married someone else for their happiness. Does it seem like he will be able to leave her? So many people’s happiness and lives depend on this one decision. I think it’s about time you and your BF have a clear conversation about the same. If he can’t give a proper timeline, please try to understand his situation. But also make sure he understands yours and maybe rethink this equation. It really isn’t healthy. You deserve a love you can have wholly, and not just in pieces, and in the shadows.

Hope this helps

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x