Any chance of being able to get a job in IT?

[Dal5]

Hi everyone -

I have been trying to work on making a major career change in to some kind of IT job. Basically I am tired of the type of work I have been doing the past several years. I am wondering what my odds are of getting such a job, as well as what kind of jobs might be on the table?

Just to give you some quick background -

I have the following education:

Associate of Arts degree in General Studies (from a community college)

Bachelor of Science degree - Criminal Justice Major/Business Minor (state university, graduated magna cum laude)

Bachelor of Science degree - Political Science Major/Sociology Minor (state university, graduated summa cum laude)

The following work history:

*Retail management experience over 10 years ago
*Worked as an installation and repair tech at a major telecom over 10 years ago
*Worked as a clerk at a state police office through college
*Worked as a court hearing officer after college
*Worked at social services as a state advisor for my states health and human service commission (current job)


I know none of this is really IT related, but I have been making some progress. Over the past few months I have become CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ certified. Currently studying for CISCO certifications right now.

So, with my current background, what are my chances at an IT job? I am thinking it may be necessary to go back to college and major in computer science?

Thanks for any advice/info you can provide.

 

[AFurryReptile]

You could easily get hired into a call center/on-site technician type of IT job, but without a few years of experience I highly doubt that you'd be hired full-time at any sort of sysadmin-type job.

 

[chusteczka]

There are plenty of people working in IT without a computer science degree. Many have a mathematical or science-based degree but not all. Those without the technical degree are usually at the lower level in the group, such as a database report writer using sql queries. However, your drive to obtain certifications is a strong asset that should open the door for you.


EDIT:
The CISCO certifications imply you are interested in networking. CISCO certs provide a solid ROI. After achieving some CISCO certification, it may help to learn unix shell scripting, TCL, and Perl. You will then have more behind you than anyone with only a degree.

Certification in unix system administration would then put you over the edge.

A degree teaches mathematical theory, algorithms, operating systems, hardware, and programming paradigms like object oriented programming. You could take a class in or read the books of networking (inclusive or) operating systems and skip the degree. I do not think that object oriented programming is needed for networking. It is my impression that only script based programming is needed but I may be wrong.

I know a database administrator with a math degree and another with a degree in music. I also know an IT director with a background in Oracle sql programming but his degree is in Philosophy.

 

[Farang]

What specifically do you want to do in IT?

Many people who get into IT without formal education do so because they love what they do, and paid work came out of that passion. I.e. they tinkered around with websites for fun, made a portfolio, started doing some freelance work, then landed their first salaried gig as a web developer.

 

[KentState]

Certs are great and all, but no one is going to let you touch anything more than a desktop without experience. That pretty much means that you are going to have to start at the bottom and work your way up. Finding a company that has a few people on the help desk staff would be ideal as they can take on someone without experience plus you get to learn from others. Just be careful going into a place too big, or you may get pigeon-holed into something you don't want.

 

[mrCide]

Need to work your way up from the bottom like has been said. One alternative is if you know someone already, but this applies to anything really. You'll need an entry level support position where you can get OJT and work your way up one ladder or another (management, systems, networking, or even sticking to support).

 

[xaeniac]

trust me, pick a different field.

 

[Dal5]

trust me, pick a different field.

What makes you say that?

 

[masteryoda34]

EDIT: wrong thread sorry

 

[olds]

Get a job as a cop.

 

[Madwand1]

I have been trying to work on making a major career change in to some kind of IT job. Basically I am tired of the type of work I have been doing the past several years. I am wondering what my odds are of getting such a job, as well as what kind of jobs might be on the table?

If I was looking for a technician, someone with your background wouldn't be what I had in mind to start. If you went and got a CS degree at a decent university, I might find you more interesting in that vein, but again not in the same way as a typical person moving along the technical path, let alone someone who's done that successfully for years already, and I'd have to question whether or not I'd expect such a progression to pay off in your case.

So my suggestion to you is to look for a progressive technology company where you can fruitfully apply your existing skills. There you'd be involved with IT, but capitalizing on your strengths. Many services are provided via computers, and companies building that up need much more than purely technical staff -- they need people with people skills, communication, business, industry knowledge, etc..

Such roles could be in Business Analysis, Client Services, Product Management, Sales, Support, etc.. Non-technical QA, if you can find it, or Support, can serve as entry positions. Getting into the products and technologies would be unavoidable, so you wouldn't be far from IT.

That's my suggestion, although it comes with a glaring lack of knowledge about the specifics about you and what you want.

Technical paths are fairly well-defined. If you really want that, you can still push for it. Do it seriously, as do the others, and I'm sure that some people would be impressed by your drive and accept you for that reason.

 

[chusteczka]

If I was looking for a technician, someone with your background wouldn't be what I had in mind to start. If you went and got a CS degree at a decent university, I might find you more interesting in that vein, but again not in the same way as a typical person moving along the technical path, let alone someone who's done that successfully for years already, and I'd have to question whether or not I'd expect such a progression to pay off in your case.

So my suggestion to you is to look for a progressive technology company where you can fruitfully apply your existing skills. There you'd be involved with IT, but capitalizing on your strengths. Many services are provided via computers, and companies building that up need much more than purely technical staff -- they need people with people skills, communication, business, industry knowledge, etc..

Such roles could be in Business Analysis, Client Services, Product Management, Sales, Support, etc.. Non-technical QA, if you can find it, or Support, can serve as entry positions. Getting into the products and technologies would be unavoidable, so you wouldn't be far from IT.

That's my suggestion, although it comes with a glaring lack of knowledge about the specifics about you and what you want.

Technical paths are fairly well-defined. If you really want that, you can still push for it. Do it seriously, as do the others, and I'm sure that some people would be impressed by your drive and accept you for that reason.

Very nice suggestions. :thumbsup:

 

[ultimatebob]

Those qualifications could probably get you a Geek Squad/Apple Genius type position, but then you don't really need more than a pulse and basic computer skills to get those.

Most full time salary IT jobs require 5+ years in skills XYZ, preferably with a CS degree and certifications. XYZ could be anything from Cisco to VMWare and anything in between, but your real problem is that most employers want someone with experience touching their production systems. The era where employers will offer on the job product training seems to be over, simply because there are so many applicants out there.

 

[TridenT]

Those qualifications could probably get you a Geek Squad/Apple Genius type position, but then you don't really need more than a pulse and basic computer skills to get those.

Most full time salary IT jobs require 5+ years in skills XYZ, preferably with a CS degree and certifications. XYZ could be anything from Cisco to VMWare and anything in between, but your real problem is that most employers want someone with experience touching their production systems. The era where employers will offer on the job product training seems to be over, simply because there are so many applicants out there.

Mostly this.

There are some places out there that will offer training to get you a bit more familiar, but you're not going to get paid very well.

 

[Dal5]

Mostly this.

There are some places out there that will offer training to get you a bit more familiar, but you're not going to get paid very well.

Hmmm... So basically I may not stand any chance?

 

[kt]

Hmmm... So basically I may not stand any chance?

What a lot of people are leaving out is personality. For desktop / end user support positions, I look for candidates with good people skill more than technical skill. Technical skill can be taught. Like some already said, you will have to start at the bottom and work your way up. As for the compensation goes, even an entry level position in desktop / end user support is usually higher than a lot of the jobs out there. Don't expect to be making banks right off the bat, that comes later when you have the experience and skill set to demand higher wages.

 

[Metron]

Given your background in criminal justice and law enforcement, you should perhaps target Computer Security as an objective. This is a growing field within IT. As others have said though, you will likely have to "work your way up". It will be helpful to express and work toward that objective. One possible shortcut... military or government work in that arena would give you a good start.

Look into an information systems security professional certification (CISSP).

Good luck

 

[Adul]

Those qualifications could probably get you a Geek Squad/Apple Genius type position, but then you don't really need more than a pulse and basic computer skills to get those.

Most full time salary IT jobs require 5+ years in skills XYZ, preferably with a CS degree and certifications. XYZ could be anything from Cisco to VMWare and anything in between, but your real problem is that most employers want someone with experience touching their production systems. The era where employers will offer on the job product training seems to be over, simply because there are so many applicants out there.

There maybe many applicants out there, but few (if any) are qualified to fill some of the positions we have where I work. Hell with the level of skill or potential needed for even the helpdesk (it so far from that it isn't even funny) is pretty high where I am at. .

 

[Imp]

Hi everyone -

I have been trying to work on making a major career change in to some kind of IT job. Basically I am tired of the type of work I have been doing the past several years. I am wondering what my odds are of getting such a job, as well as what kind of jobs might be on the table?

Just to give you some quick background -

I have the following education:

Associate of Arts degree in General Studies (from a community college)

Bachelor of Science degree - Criminal Justice Major/Business Minor (state university, graduated magna cum laude)

Bachelor of Science degree - Political Science Major/Sociology Minor (state university, graduated summa cum laude)

The following work history:

*Retail management experience over 10 years ago
*Worked as an installation and repair tech at a major telecom over 10 years ago
*Worked as a clerk at a state police office through college
*Worked as a court hearing officer after college
*Worked at social services as a state advisor for my states health and human service commission (current job)

I'm impressed that you got a social science degree (okay, two) and got a job in your field. Not only that, you're a "state advisor". Is there something you don't like about this, or do you just like IT more?

 

[Dal5]

I'm impressed that you got a social science degree (okay, two) and got a job in your field. Not only that, you're a "state advisor". Is there something you don't like about this, or do you just like IT more?

There are plenty of jobs for social sciences majors. You always hear people say "get a degree in the natural sciences". Of course, those are always from people who never majored in a social science, or people who did do so but aren't willing to work in a social services or public-sector job. I actually found it much easier to get jobs in my field of study than a friend of mine who graduated with a B.S. in chemistry.

There are tons of social problems in this country, and there are plenty of jobs in social services (both in government and the non-profit sector) if a social science major is willing to do them.

That's the key phrase there - "willing to do them". Social services jobs are thankless, stressful, low paying, and certainly not glorious. Honestly, I've reached the point of burn out. At lower levels I have had chairs thrown at me, death threats, sleepless nights worrying about cases, etc. At higher levels, now I worry about politics. All day every day.

People don't realize it, but being a social science major is the next best thing to being a doctor/nurse in terms of having jobs available - especially if you complete a masters in social work. There are tons of jobs available in hospitals, non-profits, clinics, psychiatric services, government health and human services agencies, etc. Hellish jobs, but they are always there.... especially in an economic downturn. I would say we are actually one of the only professions that "benefits" in times of economic downturn simply because our "customers" (client base) drastically increases. Even if you don't become a social worker, once you have a few years experience in social services you become what I like to call a "social worker-lite". In other words, there will always be jobs for you at psych hospitals, general hospitals, community centers, etc in the "lesser" positions. So social sciences are great to major in.... if you are willing to tolerate the work.

Anyway, it's not worth it to me anymore. I want to totally change fields.

 

[Red Squirrel]

You could potentially have a chance at getting into a helpdesk somewhere but someone with a computer science degree would probably get dibs, but it's worth trying, it cost nothing.

If you have no luck then I'd consider getting a computer science diploma, even if there's a 2 year program offered at your local college that will be better than nothing.

 

[ColdFusion718]

Learn SharePoint administration. Depending on where you live, there's big money in that. In the San Francisco area, you can command $85k-100k, depending on experience.

Unfortunately, to be a good SharePoint admin, you have to know a bunch of other stuff.

 

[alkemyst]

Certs are great and all, but no one is going to let you touch anything more than a desktop without experience. That pretty much means that you are going to have to start at the bottom and work your way up. Finding a company that has a few people on the help desk staff would be ideal as they can take on someone without experience plus you get to learn from others. Just be careful going into a place too big, or you may get pigeon-holed into something you don't want.

Not really. If you don't braindump and can handle a technical interview properly, you can be put in the front-ranks the next day.

I personally think out of being a doctor/lawyer/etc, getting your CCIE is the best bang for buck.