How do I get started in the IT field?

[mattgyver]

This may be a dumb question, but I just don't know how to get "from here to there." I have a BBA in Finance, but finding a job in that field has been tough, plus I'd much rather work with computers. I think I'd like to work in Networking or maybe Databases. Is this even a good idea, the way the economy is going? I just don't know where to begin. Could someone point me in the right direction? Sorry for the long/possibly dumb post. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[tweakmm]

get over to India, that's where all the jobs are going

 

[HappyPuppy]

If you think finding a job in your current field is tough, just try finding a job in IT. The industry is depressed. Thousands of seasoned professionals are out of work and willing to take any job, inclucing McDonalds, and still can't land a job.

IT is not the place to be right now or for several years to come.

Have you considered loading trucks for a national carrier?

 

[mattgyver]

That's not very reassuring. . . Actually I'm busting my ass right now doing manual labor. . .well, not right now. . .you know what I mean. . . . . . .ah crap. . . .

 

[amnesiac]

The tech industry as a whole is likely just reaching the bottom of its 3 year plunge, and now that companies are getting their crap together, the job market for IT professionals should start to improve.

I'd say that it would be *less* of a horrible job market in 2 years, but by no means what it once was.

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: tweakmm
get over to India, that's where all the jobs are going

You need to be very good at what you do to compete in this market, I"d definitly reccomend going to a real university, not some cheap trade school that means nothing. You need experiance etc etc. If you have all that, you should be able to find a job in India...

 

[edro]

Everyone is crying about the job market, but it doesn't seem bad to me. ALL 4 of my friends from DeVry that graduated last term (EET and CET) have jobs ranging from 34k-53k a year..... and all stayed in Central Ohio.

 

[Zebo]

Learn a really easy language like python and wite some stuff and see if you like it I say is the first step/////


Personally with a finance degree I'd be in MBA school or law school someplace until the economy picks up. Do some internships to open the doors and know people

 

[y2kc]

Is this even a good idea, the way the economy is going?

no, you couldnt've picked a worse time (especially in IT) to try to get started.

Could someone point me in the right direction?

away from IT is a good direction.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated

If you still want to go for it only do so after you get your 4 year degree in Comp Sci... maybe by then the market will have turned around, but i doubt it. I believe this buyer's market will stay just that. Big (and small) business have learned that they don't have to pay big money to get good IT folks, nor do they need the latest and greatest in hard/software to run those access databases and excel spreadsheets. Security is hot...look into that maybe.

Forgive me if I came across as snide or rude it's just that the bloom is off of the rose in IT and I doubt if it'll ever be that way again. I can't wait to get out of IT.

 

[Apathetic]

The first thing you have to do is learn about this field(s) you are interested in.

1) See if any community college in your area has classes on Networking or Databases.
2) Try downloading MySQL or Postgres and using it.

Dave