Is it possible to return to being a web developer after being a sysadmin for 5 years?

I want to go back to working for a large consulting firm as a web developer. Is it possible to return to doing that after being a systems/network admin for the past 5 years? I was mainly a front-end developer with some back-end knowledge. Do I need to spend a year learning new skills and doing projects on the side before applying for a job in web development?

Is it possible to return to being a web developer after being a sysadmin for 5 years?
No, you will be alright. Just make your mind open for new ways and always keep learning and use google for all your questions.
Reply:i was a sys admin and tech support for about 200 people and decided i wanted to be on the build-it side rather than the fix-it side. i started developing with ms frontpage, with a ms access back-end, just building myself tools to track users, etc.





6 years later i'm an ASP, VB, VB.NET developer building complex intranet and client-server applications with SQL database back-ends. all self-taught. like the other post said, google can be your best friend when you're learning and even developing. if i can't remember the syntax for a tag or function or need an idea how to do something, i hit google to find all the developer bulletin board.





start tinkering, you'll catch on quick with all your computer %26amp; networking experience. the learning curve is a little steep at first but you'll ride it right thru the roof once you get the hang of it. i'm on the lower end of the curve right now having made the jump to .NET, but i am enjoying the challenge.





best of luck to you!