I know I’ve posted on this subject before, and I apologize for the repost. But the career noose is really starting to tighten around my neck now. Some decisions need to be made quickly, and input from some people much more knowledgeable than I would be VERY appreciated.
I’m a 25-year veteran of IBM midrange systems using RPG/ILE language. I’ve been unemployed for 2 years now (despite an extensive job search), and I’ve finally awakened to the fact that the AS/400 market is dying.
I know there are still a handful of jobs remaining out there, but they are few and far in between. Even if I found a job today, I know I’m only delaying the inevitable: I want (and need) to get off this platform before it takes me down with it.
What have I considered? MCSE (the cert is great, but jobs are nonexistent without networking experience and I have none), and MCAD (don’t have C++ or VB, and I’ve been told they are unwritten prerequisites). So where does that leave me?
In panic mode.
I have a bunch of state retraining dollars available and several months before my savings run out. But I don’t have the vaguest idea of options to pursue.
Any and all opinions would be welcome.
Thanks.