Life Advice on career change to IT - Page 3

Gary · 06-03-2012, 07:10 AM

To make a very long story short, I was recently laid off from a small company where I was working as the general manager. I am taking a serious look at changing career paths to IT. A couple of my close friends are network admins and got me interested in the field. I know there are several members here that are in the IT field and am looking for your advice. If you were going to get into the IT field now, how would you go about it (what schooling would you take, what would you specialize in, & what certs would you have to obtain)? I live in an IT poor job market(SW Florida), but my wife and I have been considering moving out of this area anyway.

wutamess · 06-03-2012, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I have been working in IT for 11 years and my advice is don't. If you want to change careers go into the healthcare field.

This! In IT you start off at entry level $30k as help desk.
Programmer's make more but you don't have the experience which puts you back at the $30k level.

Your call.

wutamess · 06-03-2012, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braincase

If you decide to move to the Kansas City area, shoot me a line. I work for one of the best IT training companies in the Midwest. We have a proven track record of success training people, getting them certified (IT Pro, Dev, Web) and then placing them in jobs.

Yeah... I know. How good can they be if they hired me, right?

But seriously, we've down a pretty good job. Yes, you will probably have to take out a loan to pay for the program, but you'll see results.

I second Braincase... have took one of his courses and several at the learning center he's employed at and they are quite impressive.

Reerun_KC · 06-04-2012, 08:07 AM

I have been in the IT industry since 1995. At this point in time I would look more in to project management training and certifications over strictly IT based work.

IT is way to saturated with over priced inexperienced people right now. But companies are always looking for PM's. I know a couple that are here in the OKC metro area. I can put in touch with some solid companies.

And if you are still considering IT, I have serveral contacts in OKC and could get you a job pretty easily...

qabbaan · 06-04-2012, 08:37 AM

When the economy is bad IT is a tough place to get into. People from career paths that are lower earning or considered more expendable by companies such as marketing often want to "get into IT", so the market is full of inexperienced people who will have a hard time finding work over the experienced ones who are in the market.

If you go to a place like ITT or Phoenix you may encounter a stigma associated with that. My advice would be instead of going to one of these places, go to a regular university if there is any way possible. Otherwise, get certifications on top of the degree or some experience and references in a relevant job

What you really want is experience with a specific type of work or a software package that is in demand. Identify one by talking to people in the industry you want to work in.

Fish · 06-04-2012, 08:54 AM

Seems like everybody and their cousin has the same idea at the moment. "I'll just switch over to IT. That field seems to be in demand, and should be in the future."

I'm afraid it's not really that easy. Like others have said, the ITT Tech type schools are going to charge you a bunch of money for a bunch of stuff you'll likely never use in an actual IT career. About all that will get you in the end is a basic Tier1 helpdesk type job. If you have zero IT experience, you'll have to expect to work that helpdesk job for several years for peanuts. Those A+, Network+ certs are not going to vault you past the horde of other people lined up for a helpdesk job. Those certs are too easy to get, and too broad in scope to be the deciding factor for getting a good IT job.

The key to getting into the IT field is experience, experience, experience. If you don't have it, you're going to have to get 3-4 years of it before you'll ever get above the low level helpdesk position. That's the thing that most people don't understand when deciding to "switch" to an IT field. You're not going to jump in and start making money. Yes there's a demand for the IT field, but there's also an overpopulated field of workers applying for those jobs. The hiring entities hold all the cards right now. They're not going to give good money to someone without insane qualifications, because they don't have to.

If you don't have the means to get a good bachelors degree in IT, then focus on experience. Look at some really useful certs like Microsoft MCTS, MCPD, MCITP, MCSA, MCSE, etc. Those certs will jump off a resume. Or consider Apple certs, which do a very good job of preparing you for all sorts of Apple based tech support. Apple is on the rise right now, and it's a good time to jump on the Apple support bandwagon, as that field isn't nearly as saturated as Windows based IT support.

If considering networking fields, remember that networking has changed a great deal over the last decade. Networking jobs aren't really just networking jobs anymore. They're expecting somewhat of a hodgepodge of different support responsibilities these days. Look up a bunch of networking job listings, and take note of what they're looking for.

Also, don't forget to branch out to any of your peers in the IT field. Ask them for recommendations on what to pursue, and where to look. Generally those already in the field have the best leads on who's hiring, and what they're looking for.

Good luck!

qabbaan · 06-04-2012, 09:30 AM

KC Fish, you make a good point. These degrees are very expensive if you look at the likely job/salary when you start paying it off. You could find yourself in a tough financial situation. From a tech support/help desk kind of job there really isn't anywhere to go. You might find it very hard to move up from there into a desirable IT job. Hold out for something better and don't get stuck in a support role. Be flexible on salary or relocation if you need to.

durtyrute · 06-04-2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braincase

If you decide to move to the Kansas City area, shoot me a line. I work for one of the best IT training companies in the Midwest. We have a proven track record of success training people, getting them certified (IT Pro, Dev, Web) and then placing them in jobs.

Yeah... I know. How good can they be if they hired me, right?

But seriously, we've down a pretty good job. Yes, you will probably have to take out a loan to pay for the program, but you'll see results.

Hey, who do you work for?

Reerun_KC · 06-04-2012, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qabbaan

KC Fish, you make a good point. These degrees are very expensive if you look at the likely job/salary when you start paying it off. You could find yourself in a tough financial situation. From a tech support/help desk kind of job there really isn't anywhere to go. You might find it very hard to move up from there into a desirable IT job. Hold out for something better and don't get stuck in a support role. Be flexible on salary or relocation if you need to.

But the biggest issue with the oversaturated field is $$$$.... Why hire a guy with 1 year experience when I can hire the same guy with 4 years experience at the same price.

06-03-2012, 07:10 AM
Gary The Shepherd Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Sunny Florida Casino cash: $9965472	Advice on career change to IT To make a very long story short, I was recently laid off from a small company where I was working as the general manager. I am taking a serious look at changing career paths to IT. A couple of my close friends are network admins and got me interested in the field. I know there are several members here that are in the IT field and am looking for your advice. If you were going to get into the IT field now, how would you go about it (what schooling would you take, what would you specialize in, & what certs would you have to obtain)? I live in an IT poor job market(SW Florida), but my wife and I have been considering moving out of this area anyway.
Posts: 904

06-04-2012, 08:07 AM	#33
Reerun_KC Rock Chalk Jayhawks! KU!!! Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $8301160	I have been in the IT industry since 1995. At this point in time I would look more in to project management training and certifications over strictly IT based work. IT is way to saturated with over priced inexperienced people right now. But companies are always looking for PM's. I know a couple that are here in the OKC metro area. I can put in touch with some solid companies. And if you are still considering IT, I have serveral contacts in OKC and could get you a job pretty easily...
Posts: 934

06-04-2012, 08:37 AM	#34
qabbaan Veteran Join Date: Jan 2012 Casino cash: $10004900	When the economy is bad IT is a tough place to get into. People from career paths that are lower earning or considered more expendable by companies such as marketing often want to "get into IT", so the market is full of inexperienced people who will have a hard time finding work over the experienced ones who are in the market. If you go to a place like ITT or Phoenix you may encounter a stigma associated with that. My advice would be instead of going to one of these places, go to a regular university if there is any way possible. Otherwise, get certifications on top of the degree or some experience and references in a relevant job What you really want is experience with a specific type of work or a software package that is in demand. Identify one by talking to people in the industry you want to work in.
Posts: 2,973

06-04-2012, 08:54 AM	#35
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2028919	Seems like everybody and their cousin has the same idea at the moment. "I'll just switch over to IT. That field seems to be in demand, and should be in the future." I'm afraid it's not really that easy. Like others have said, the ITT Tech type schools are going to charge you a bunch of money for a bunch of stuff you'll likely never use in an actual IT career. About all that will get you in the end is a basic Tier1 helpdesk type job. If you have zero IT experience, you'll have to expect to work that helpdesk job for several years for peanuts. Those A+, Network+ certs are not going to vault you past the horde of other people lined up for a helpdesk job. Those certs are too easy to get, and too broad in scope to be the deciding factor for getting a good IT job. The key to getting into the IT field is experience, experience, experience. If you don't have it, you're going to have to get 3-4 years of it before you'll ever get above the low level helpdesk position. That's the thing that most people don't understand when deciding to "switch" to an IT field. You're not going to jump in and start making money. Yes there's a demand for the IT field, but there's also an overpopulated field of workers applying for those jobs. The hiring entities hold all the cards right now. They're not going to give good money to someone without insane qualifications, because they don't have to. If you don't have the means to get a good bachelors degree in IT, then focus on experience. Look at some really useful certs like Microsoft MCTS, MCPD, MCITP, MCSA, MCSE, etc. Those certs will jump off a resume. Or consider Apple certs, which do a very good job of preparing you for all sorts of Apple based tech support. Apple is on the rise right now, and it's a good time to jump on the Apple support bandwagon, as that field isn't nearly as saturated as Windows based IT support. If considering networking fields, remember that networking has changed a great deal over the last decade. Networking jobs aren't really just networking jobs anymore. They're expecting somewhat of a hodgepodge of different support responsibilities these days. Look up a bunch of networking job listings, and take note of what they're looking for. Also, don't forget to branch out to any of your peers in the IT field. Ask them for recommendations on what to pursue, and where to look. Generally those already in the field have the best leads on who's hiring, and what they're looking for. Good luck! __________________
Posts: 47,650

06-04-2012, 09:30 AM	#36
qabbaan Veteran Join Date: Jan 2012 Casino cash: $10004900	KC Fish, you make a good point. These degrees are very expensive if you look at the likely job/salary when you start paying it off. You could find yourself in a tough financial situation. From a tech support/help desk kind of job there really isn't anywhere to go. You might find it very hard to move up from there into a desirable IT job. Hold out for something better and don't get stuck in a support role. Be flexible on salary or relocation if you need to.
Posts: 2,973