Okay, working in low-code platforms last 13 years. Since 2015 working in full time roles ONLY due to sole earning and other 2 dependents.
Pay is okayish, not great and not bad. Hardly 6 to 7 clients in Austalia who use low-code platform so number of jobs are really less.
Now I would like to change my career to Data related field ( data engineering, data analytics..etc).
Main reason for this switch is, I would like to work as a contractor so can earn more and I think there are many job postings for this career hence may be safe bet. Have been monitoring seek for data engineering - seems to be lot of job postings regularly.
But I would like ask here, anyone works in data related jobs and how do you see job market for contractors ?
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After reading comments thought would elaborate bit more.
I work in PEGA ( a tool for building process flows, rule engines..etc). These are different to traditional programming hence low-code where most of the work done by configuration. But the programming/analytical/reasoning skills are mandatory as it helps to when integrating with different systems and dealing with complex business problems.
A quick real-world example of where these tools can be used = You give all your personal/financial information and docs to your broker. He/she uses an application ( built by these tools) to start an Loan application for so much money. In the back end, the application involves many stages like, credit check, doing complex calculations to assess the risk profile of the applicant and some approval stages from the different departments and finally giving an outcome to broker/applicant.
I know in/out of these tools and pretty much comfortable building solutions but job market so low here hence can't demand high pay. Also due to the high licensing cost not many companies come forward other than big players like Telstra/westpac….
I chose data engineering becuase I always deal with data already but not to the level of a database administrator or data engineer/scientist. I've got the basic skills just need to put myself into difficult positions to learn more. Also I'm choosing this because I see lot of market for these types of roles.
I know data engineering is the buzz word and it varies from employer to employer but don't see any other skill which suits my skills with high pay chance and many jobs.
Please throw away if you have any more suggestions.
It’s not clear what job you mean by working in low-code platforms. Are you sitting in the back room configuring the system to somebody else’s design, or engaging with clients to build solutions.
My employer uses a low code interface that abstracts the actual programming, but all the problem solving, design and solution building is still required. Someone good at that Business Analyst type role can earn a lot of money, and can pretty easily move between low code environments like Salesforce, ServiceNow, PEGA etc.
If you have the skills to operate at that level, it would be a good choice for career security and advancement.
If you are more of a back-room operator, configuring someone else’s solution you are more vulnerable to outsourcing, and can really only gain high pay and advancement if you are technically very proficient.
I’m not really sure what you are thinking of with “Data Engineer” as it is a very broad term, and could cover anything from AI programming to BI analytics. In any case, I’d suggest the same rule applies - if you are shacked up out back away from the customers, you need to be very talented not to be replaceable. If you are involved in the more creative/problem solving, business analyst, solution consultant roles there is more career security and scope for advancement.