New career in I.T
Discussion
First you will have to decide which part of "IT" as thats a bit like saying "I want to retrain to do a job in the building trade"
imagine all the different jobs in the building trade, from the architect, the plumber, the guy who works in the factory making bricks, the driver of the cement truck ...get the picture
..in "IT" there are hundreds of widely different jobs. "Information Technology" can mean many things indeed.
What skills do you have now with computers?
Do you like interacting with people?
Do you forsee a job where you mostly interact which machines?
Where do you want to end up in 5, 10 or 20 years?
Do like to travel?
have a think about it then maybe some of the IT professionals on here can give you advice on how to get where you want to go
If you are doing it because you think it will be lucrative, im afraid to disappoint you, but that boat for IT sailed in the 90's pre 2000 ...everyone is on the bandwagon now, and skills are aplenty out there, you really have to be something special/be prepared to do more than others just to get fairly rudimentary support jobs these days
..yes there are lots of people making lots of money...but usually they either invented something, founded companies, work contracts and know specialist skills, or are senior execs with 20 years in the game ...not the 3rd line support guy with an MCSE ...hes likely just making average wage
imagine all the different jobs in the building trade, from the architect, the plumber, the guy who works in the factory making bricks, the driver of the cement truck ...get the picture
..in "IT" there are hundreds of widely different jobs. "Information Technology" can mean many things indeed.
What skills do you have now with computers?
Do you like interacting with people?
Do you forsee a job where you mostly interact which machines?
Where do you want to end up in 5, 10 or 20 years?
Do like to travel?
have a think about it then maybe some of the IT professionals on here can give you advice on how to get where you want to go
If you are doing it because you think it will be lucrative, im afraid to disappoint you, but that boat for IT sailed in the 90's pre 2000 ...everyone is on the bandwagon now, and skills are aplenty out there, you really have to be something special/be prepared to do more than others just to get fairly rudimentary support jobs these days
..yes there are lots of people making lots of money...but usually they either invented something, founded companies, work contracts and know specialist skills, or are senior execs with 20 years in the game ...not the 3rd line support guy with an MCSE ...hes likely just making average wage
Edited by bogie on Tuesday 13th April 22:56
Thanks for the reply bogle,
What skills do you have now with computers? I use ubuntu and have repaired many laptops for friends.
Do you like interacting with people? Yes
Do you forsee a job where you mostly interact which machines? Yes i like technology.
Where do you want to end up in 5, 10 or 20 years? In an interesting occupation with a future.
Do like to travel? Yes, but have a little one now so not sure i could be away from home for to long.
There are some degree's part time at my local uni that i could try and enroll on but not sure which one?
http://www.derby.ac.uk/computing/information-techn...
I think i could make ends meet for a few yrs if it was worth it in the end.
What skills do you have now with computers? I use ubuntu and have repaired many laptops for friends.
Do you like interacting with people? Yes
Do you forsee a job where you mostly interact which machines? Yes i like technology.
Where do you want to end up in 5, 10 or 20 years? In an interesting occupation with a future.
Do like to travel? Yes, but have a little one now so not sure i could be away from home for to long.
There are some degree's part time at my local uni that i could try and enroll on but not sure which one?
http://www.derby.ac.uk/computing/information-techn...
I think i could make ends meet for a few yrs if it was worth it in the end.
that looks like a good general degree, with optional modules you can choose, and even some manufacturer certs (CCNA) thrown in
..although to be fair, ive been in "IT" most of my working life (24 yrs so far) and I dont have a degree, im self taught + manufacturer certs that have all expired now...so I couldnt really judge whats going to be a good degree for getting you a job ..im sure others will comment on their experiences..
If you have a good basic education, a natural interest/ability for IT, and can study/teach yourself, Id be half tempted to start your own little home based PC support business ...rather than spend years getting a qualification, just like everyone else and waiting to get in the queue for a chance for a job with one of the big IT firms
I know people back in the "big 5" IT firms stuck on a payscale earning £40K a year, loaded with PHDs, MBAs etc and I know others who work for themselves and earn triple that, with no formal IT qualifications at all, just delivering basic stuff to small businesses in their local town ...
In fact whilst you are deciding about the big degree, Maybe try studying for a PC based support qualification at home like "A+" - should cost no more than a book, then £120 exam, it will stand you in good stead and give you a bit of paper that says you know something
..although to be fair, ive been in "IT" most of my working life (24 yrs so far) and I dont have a degree, im self taught + manufacturer certs that have all expired now...so I couldnt really judge whats going to be a good degree for getting you a job
..im sure others will comment on their experiences..If you have a good basic education, a natural interest/ability for IT, and can study/teach yourself, Id be half tempted to start your own little home based PC support business ...rather than spend years getting a qualification, just like everyone else and waiting to get in the queue for a chance for a job with one of the big IT firms
I know people back in the "big 5" IT firms stuck on a payscale earning £40K a year, loaded with PHDs, MBAs etc and I know others who work for themselves and earn triple that, with no formal IT qualifications at all, just delivering basic stuff to small businesses in their local town ...
In fact whilst you are deciding about the big degree, Maybe try studying for a PC based support qualification at home like "A+" - should cost no more than a book, then £120 exam, it will stand you in good stead and give you a bit of paper that says you know something
Thanks again, i currently work self employed as an electrician, so could fit something around that. It seems ironic that lots of people want to retrain as electricians, plumbers etc and most people i know in the trade want to train as something different. It really is time to do something else for me tho, fed up of not getting paid, being undercut to the extent its not worth doing the job, to many people fighting for the same work etc.
I have a BTEC National Diploma for ICT Practitioners and a Foundation Degree in computing from Staffordshire Uni...None have really helped me get any kind of job in IT.
I started my own company and still work nights at the Hotel that I started at 3 years ago which was a "only whilst I am at College" job.
I got offered one as a System Builder but it was a dead end job and for much less money than I am on doing nights. The business I only started last year and whilst it does pull in a modest profit I am just turfing it straight back into the company at the moment until I get my foot in the door a little more.
Without being big headed, I have the skills, the drive AND determination to get the jobs, most of the things I applied for I could do in my sleep...problem is, so can thousands of other applicants.
I started my own company and still work nights at the Hotel that I started at 3 years ago which was a "only whilst I am at College" job.
I got offered one as a System Builder but it was a dead end job and for much less money than I am on doing nights. The business I only started last year and whilst it does pull in a modest profit I am just turfing it straight back into the company at the moment until I get my foot in the door a little more.
Without being big headed, I have the skills, the drive AND determination to get the jobs, most of the things I applied for I could do in my sleep...problem is, so can thousands of other applicants.
Back in 2000 I was lucky enough to be one of the last people through a training course to learn basic desktop support skills. I paid £1000 for a 4 week course learning about Windows and Office, and the idea was whoever employed me at the end would pay the rest of my fees.
I was lucky enough to be plucked up by a rapidly expanding software company , starting on £20k pa doing 1st line support. Rose up to 3rd line support over 3 years - and then left to join another large name as a pre-sales consultant.
With 6-7 years presales experience, and 3 big names on my CV I'm now earning a good wage and have just been headhunted to join a young company who are doing very well.
I cannot begin to believe the luck I've had. As per above, all my qualifications have expired - and it's now down to some select skills, general industry knowledge, and above all - contacts in the business.
Good luck. Serve your time at the bottom of the ladder, learn lots, meet lots of people. Foster your contacts well. Work hard.
You can still make a good career out of IT - but it's not a foregone conclusion!
I was lucky enough to be plucked up by a rapidly expanding software company , starting on £20k pa doing 1st line support. Rose up to 3rd line support over 3 years - and then left to join another large name as a pre-sales consultant.
With 6-7 years presales experience, and 3 big names on my CV I'm now earning a good wage and have just been headhunted to join a young company who are doing very well.
I cannot begin to believe the luck I've had. As per above, all my qualifications have expired - and it's now down to some select skills, general industry knowledge, and above all - contacts in the business.
Good luck. Serve your time at the bottom of the ladder, learn lots, meet lots of people. Foster your contacts well. Work hard.
You can still make a good career out of IT - but it's not a foregone conclusion!
caterhamboy said:
Thanks for the reply bogle,
What skills do you have now with computers? I use ubuntu and have repaired many laptops for friends.
Not really that relevant in most IT department. Make sure you know windows and associated apps inside out. Basic hardware knowledges is handy but in my experience that's mostly a thow it away and replace job, very little hardware is swapped out or piecemeal upgraded.What skills do you have now with computers? I use ubuntu and have repaired many laptops for friends.
1st line support is the best in. Show yourself as good and you should progress then look to specialise.
caterhamboy said:
Thanks again, i currently work self employed as an electrician, so could fit something around that. It seems ironic that lots of people want to retrain as electricians, plumbers etc and most people i know in the trade want to train as something different. It really is time to do something else for me tho, fed up of not getting paid, being undercut to the extent its not worth doing the job, to many people fighting for the same work etc.
What about something related like fire or security alarms? Most of the people joining our business have an electrical background and come into install roles or service/maintenance roles. Depending on the role and customer jobs they may get involved in programmng of panels etc.
caterhamboy said:
Thanks again, i currently work self employed as an electrician, so could fit something around that. It seems ironic that lots of people want to retrain as electricians, plumbers etc and most people i know in the trade want to train as something different. It really is time to do something else for me tho, fed up of not getting paid, being undercut to the extent its not worth doing the job, to many people fighting for the same work etc.
What I find amazing is quite a few people I know left IT to train as a plumber or electrician, I even looked into it. Perhaps its the area? Thankfully I stuck it out and now I'm doing what I want - web and systems programming. I struggled in tech support for a few years after graduating trying to find a programming job and that was when things were good. I can only feel for the guys out there just graduating with flimsy degrees.Edited to say try and lever what you've got experience in and be clever; identify emerging technology or services which could take off. Good luck.
Edited by bic on Wednesday 14th April 21:44
I wouldnt even bother with the degree. You would just be wasting your time and money. The best route it (and the one i took) is to start at the bottom and work your way up. So 1st line/helpdesk is what you should be aiming for to start with. After a few years you will understand IT more and then specialise in software, sales, technical support etc. I worked with a guy that was a few years older than me with an IT degree, and we were doing the same job and paid the same. After a few years in IT, look at doing certs such as A+, ccna, mcdst etc. I have no certs but i have worked for 3 different companies, one being the government so as long as you have a strong tech knowledge you wont have any probs finding work.
XDA said:
I wouldnt even bother with the degree. You would just be wasting your time and money. The best route it (and the one i took) is to start at the bottom and work your way up. So 1st line/helpdesk is what you should be aiming for to start with. After a few years you will understand IT more and then specialise in software, sales, technical support etc. I worked with a guy that was a few years older than me with an IT degree, and we were doing the same job and paid the same. After a few years in IT, look at doing certs such as A+, ccna, mcdst etc. I have no certs but i have worked for 3 different companies, one being the government so as long as you have a strong tech knowledge you wont have any probs finding work.
Wish someone told me that before I wasted 3 years on this Uni course the degree used to be the default criteria to get a graduate job with one of the big guys .....I didnt have a degree, but got in the back door in the mid 90's being a contractor - just doing 2nd line/roll out work for a few months to fill a gap.
When you get the opportunity, you need to grasp it. I worked hard, made my self invaluable, they offered a full time job. I had to move house to take it, but it was worth it in the end because of where it led.
If you really want to do something, and can recognise opportunities when they happen (rather than years later thinking "what if") work hard, study in your spare time, you can work your way up without the degree
..degrees just open doors/get you on lists of potential ...the problem is nowadays, its usually a loooonnngg list
When you get the opportunity, you need to grasp it. I worked hard, made my self invaluable, they offered a full time job. I had to move house to take it, but it was worth it in the end because of where it led.
If you really want to do something, and can recognise opportunities when they happen (rather than years later thinking "what if") work hard, study in your spare time, you can work your way up without the degree
..degrees just open doors/get you on lists of potential ...the problem is nowadays, its usually a loooonnngg list
or investment banking (being treated like a c
t by overpaid knobends) 
My 2p
Get into Development writing code e.g. C#, Java (avoid niche languages) you can then work in most sectors, or
Get something like Prince2 / ITIL quals, or
Get some good Oracle knowledge/ quals.
Tend toward:
Avoid small companies to start with if you can as moving from a 'who?' is harder than moving from Microsoft.
Move after a few years if you can or you can easily fall behind/ go stale/ get lazy.
As has already been said Support is probably the easiest way in.
Get into Development writing code e.g. C#, Java (avoid niche languages) you can then work in most sectors, or
Get something like Prince2 / ITIL quals, or
Get some good Oracle knowledge/ quals.
Tend toward:
Avoid small companies to start with if you can as moving from a 'who?' is harder than moving from Microsoft.
Move after a few years if you can or you can easily fall behind/ go stale/ get lazy.
As has already been said Support is probably the easiest way in.
NoelWatson said:
bogie said:
If you are doing it because you think it will be lucrative, im afraid to disappoint you, but that boat for IT sailed in the 90's pre 2000
I think this is overly gloomy. I reckon you could do very well in IT if you are prepared to work in the right sectors/areas.Ive seen all the old skills that I used to chase 10-15 years ago devalued as more and more jump on the band wagon ...I get guys with multiple CCIEs and degrees applying for £60K jobs in my team, when they should/would have been on £120K 10 years ago
...everything is relative of course, some people may be happy with a safe steady job for £30-40K after a degree and 5 years study etc ....
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