Thinking about getting into IT

[rakeshmp]

i just recently considered moving into the IT field. any IT professionals in here? where would be a good, informative site on the subject? or for IT professionals, what courses do you recommend? what would be the the best way to proceed?

 

[brtspears2]

I want to get out of IT as quick as possible, but this is the only thing I know that pays decently for the level of work I do (next to none).

 

[dsfunk]

I've been thinking of getting out.

 

[PanzerIV]

I love IT and don't know what else I would enjoy but I am not making enough money in this field.

 

[rakeshmp]

why do you want to get out?
how is the job market?
and what are you doing exactly?

 

[yllus]

When you say IT, what exactly do you mean? Networking? Computer hardware? Support?

 

[rakeshmp]

thats a good question because i am not really sure. im going to be honest and say i will go where the jobs are. in what branch would that be? what are current trends?

 

[LordThing]

Not to be a nay-sayer, but honestly unless you have an inside track on a particular job or have a special skill with computers that sets you apart I honestly wouldn't just decide to switch fields and expect to make money. It would be like if i just sat there one day and said, "You know? I think I will switch careers and work with cars". Doing what? With who? What training? The job market is extremely saturated and those without special training or years of corporate level IT experience have a rough time getting anything more than a helpdesk job. Do research about a field you like or find a particular job you want to do and try to match the skill set they are looking for.

/Novell & Notes Administrator

 

[rakeshmp]

well, id obviously have to take coursework in the given subject. but, i already consider myself computer savvy, but just not as specific and focused as need be. i also dont have any sort of certification. which was my intenion in creating this thread - what sort of coursework would be necessary. i would base that on current trends in the industry (for example, if this applies, network security might be a hot sub-field of IT)

 

[BigJimbo]

Network Security is where the money is at right now in IT.

Study the CCNA and take some unix or M$ Server/Active Directory courses to get your feet wet and make sure this is exactly what you wanna do. You wont make a decent chunk until after 5 years in the field with good references. Base help desk techs make like 30-40k here in FL.

Ive done all the CCNA and M$ stuff and am geraing more toward a security portion of IT.

 

[LeadMagnet]

Not a good idea - there are way too many already and even more jobs are moving off-shore (if you are in a western country). Salaries are dropping fast, and the inexperianced are getting the axe.

 

[austin316]

Originally posted by: BigJimbo
Network Security is where the money is at right now in IT.

Study the CCNA and take some unix or M$ Server/Active Directory courses to get your feet wet and make sure this is exactly what you wanna do. You wont make a decent chunk until after 5 years in the field with good references. Base help desk techs make like 30-40k here in FL.

Ive done all the CCNA and M$ stuff and am geraing more toward a security portion of IT.

How much can you expect to make in 5 years?

 

[StageLeft]

Why on earth would you want to do this? THe job market for IT is still quite flat. I can think of no worse time to try and break into it without job experience. I'd pick another career if I were you.

 

[Cashmoney995]

And in a completely off topic mood I say.


I hated that clown...it was evvvilll.

 

[BigJimbo]

Originally posted by: rakeshmp
well, id obviously have to take coursework in the given subject. but, i already consider myself computer savvy, but just not as specific and focused as need be. i also dont have any sort of certification. which was my intenion in creating this thread - what sort of coursework would be necessary. i would base that on current trends in the industry (for example, if this applies, network security might be a hot sub-field of IT)

Certs arnt that big they stick out to HR...but admins dont care what certs you have we've been hosed before. Start with a degree plan. IS/IT maybe get a CCNA (MCSE arnt worth crap) we hired a MCSE and hell when we told her to do something she was like huh?

Im not saying certs arnt good im saying they are just really played out right now and Cisco is working on making their tests "non-crammable" ive heard of them actually gearing more toward a "hands on" test which wont let people "know test questions/answers" before the test.

http://www.cramsession.com/ is a good site to browse the different exams and their level of rating.

 

[BigJimbo]

Originally posted by: austin316

Originally posted by: BigJimbo
Network Security is where the money is at right now in IT.

Study the CCNA and take some unix or M$ Server/Active Directory courses to get your feet wet and make sure this is exactly what you wanna do. You wont make a decent chunk until after 5 years in the field with good references. Base help desk techs make like 30-40k here in FL.

Ive done all the CCNA and M$ stuff and am geraing more toward a security portion of IT.

How much can you expect to make in 5 years?

5 years. Depends on your past expeirences but with good refs and such and location probably around 50-60. But thats here in FL where avg home income is like 40g.

We have a level 5 security guru (approx 20 yrs in the field) making 6 digits easily. Hes retired military so hes got his military pension and then his 6 digits here.

 

[welst10]

What about video game developers, like id, valve, etc? They seem pretty good to work for.

 

[stnicralisk]

The IT field is difficult to get into recently. Also the level of pay has been falling. I was going into it but switched majors because after examining the market it just wasnt stable enough.

 

[stnicralisk]

Originally posted by: welst10
What about video game developers, like id, valve, etc? They seem pretty good to work for.

If you look at most of the bigger companies they hardly have a turnover rate. It is hard to get work with a company that doesnt lose its employees. Blizzard has recently become an exception.

 

[BigJimbo]

developers make cash ithink avg C++ programmers are avg 60k in our area.

I considered it at one time took a class and absolutly hated it. Programming is not for me

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: welst10
What about video game developers, like id, valve, etc? They seem pretty good to work for.

Actually, the game industry is notorious for long hours, low pay, and companies going bankrupt from lack of business skills (especially studios, but publishers too).

id seems to be one of the few companies with good management, valve is so far a one-hit wonder coasting on past success, other people's work (CS) and vaporware bundling money.

Interplay has fallen apart (evicted for not paying rent, owes something like $1m in back taces, pay, rent), Sierra has been shut down, Origin was gutted years ago and now even UO2 got the axe, Sir-Tech, Looking Glass, etc. etc.

The end results are cool, but in many ways they are the worst software company jobs.

 

[LordThing]

Again, going back to my original statement. I wouldn't ask where the money is at. You shoot for that job and you will be competing with multiple other people who have alot more to offer. Your best bet is to choose a job you want or to find a job in a company you like and go full force to get it. Match your skill set, court the recruiters/HR, make yourself a pest and convince them to give you a chance.

Either that or become your own employer. One of the cool things about the tech industy is that you can be a company of 1. Find a skill set that you think you would like to do and shop it around. Whether it be web development, router config, onsite tech support, computer customization (modding), sales, whatever. You make a good product, people will hire you to do it. Make your own opportunities

 

[Kraeji]

IT sucks.. im going to the air force to fly instead