Posted on 02/04/2015 10:56:21 AM PST by LouAvul
Some time ago I consulted the FR IT experts on how to best enter into the IT field. Here's my situation. I have dual degrees in theology and spent my prime earning years in that field. I got out of the ministry and went back to school and received yet a third degree, this one in business with an accounting major.
But I don't think I want to do that. I majored in computer information systems at California State U and think I like IT work better.
Here's the advice I got from FR previously:
Begin quote:
"Get your CCNA cert and you can write your own job description and salary.
the ccna cert is so 10 years ago they are simple to get now. Go get the CCNP or CCIE and you have a resume which instantly goes to the top of a pile..
Get your CCNA cert and you can write your own job description and salary.
You're kidding, right? Cisco's CCNA is just above entry level in the industry. A local highschool VOTEC has graduates who leave with CCNA, MCSA, and a number of CompTIA certs as well. CCIE is another thing...
Project Management with a specialty in the IT field. Programmers are a dime a dozen around the world, and outsourcing from India, for example, is cheap. What is needed are Project Managers to oversee IT projects and manage these outsourced workers.
Networking is lucrative if you are good at what you do. Companies will pay $100 or more per hour for a qualified network consultant. In my area, I did this for four years and charged $90 per hour and had a lot of steady, repeat business from very loyal customers.
Data security, data forensics, protection from spyware/malware - these are fields that are in demand as our networks come under attack from all over the world and from data thieves /terrorists within our own country. And if you think the hack attempt came from overseas, you’re not going to outsource your protection. It also pays VERY well.
If you don’t want to do programming after all, the CCNA suggestion above isn’t a bad idea. Networking guys will always be in demand, and it’s a job that is outsource-proof. You won’t get rich doing that, but it’s a very good living and it’s certainly more financially secure than software development.
I'm seeing at the moment that most matches your start is Oracle DB programmer, Networking analyst, and (especially) Security analyst. Heavy Unix if you're going to do the latter.
Because I already had a BA, I only needed to concentrate on the major courses and not the core ones since I had already completed those. After that I got my CompTIA A+ and my first computing job. What got me in the door was the AAS and my attitude. Too many computer professionals are unable to communicate well with others, so they liked the fact that I could verbalize thoughts in a way they could understand.
The money is in software development, or high layer networking. You can still make decent money as sys admin. I would suggest boning up on linux/unix and your layer 3 networking skills.
Get your BS in Computer Science and get a few Cisco Certs Under your belt. The degree because it demonstrates that you have the wherewithall to stick it out and it demonstrates you are trainable. The Cisco Certs (CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP) as they demonstrate a measurable mastery of a pretty difficult field. Get your CCNA first then the Degree, then other Cisco Certs. Also, (and this helped me a great deal in fixing network problems) get your MCSA or MCSE. Understanding the Microsoft environment is a good thing.
"Get your CCNA cert and you can write your own job description and salary." That hasn't been my experience as a CCNA. I do have a great job, but I think you were overstating things just a bit. lol Now CCIEs on the other hand, what you said applies.
1) Learn both Windows and Unix-ish stuff. Letting one camp dissuade you from the other is only limiting yourself. 2) Learn C or Assembly language, so you'll understand how computers actually work. 3) Read Steven's network programming books, so you'll really understand networking. 4) Avoid web programming like the plague that it is.
Security...intercept and protection. Do it well and you can write your own ticket."
End quote.
The above advice is a couple of years old. Current suggestions?
The first question to ask is exactly what are you interested in for the IT field? Networking? Programming? Database Administrator? QA?
It’s a very large field. I am a programmer and the key to getting a good programming job is:
1. the degree (perhaps a certificate in Information Systems?)
2. More importantly, what languages do you write in. You can be a programmer and have expertise in say COBOL and your options are going to be very narrow.
If you think you can write programs, play around with Python and Pycharm. It’s free and works on Windows and OSX and Linux.
As the previous guy said, learn all about databases. If you can get MSACCESS it’s the easy way to get started. You will need to look under the hood at the SQL it generates.
Excel is a must. You can play around with VBA in Excel and learn a little bit about API’s and Objects with that macro tool.
Then again you can memorize a lot of gibberish and be like most of the IT Professionals I run across. Probably about 1 in 3 have any appreciation of what goes on down there.
One way to look at it is you will end up writing programs or running programs.
Here is my honest advice. Wish I had done this early on. I am an IT professional, and have been for the past 25 years.
Learn a trade skill. HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry/Masonry. These CANNOT be outsourced. They must be performed on location.
I have been in IT for 15 years now on the System Administration side of things. Some random thoughts in no particular order...
Going into IT is no guarantee of success or $ that it seems it was 15 years ago, times have definitely changed. Might/probably be an indication of the economy more than anything else.
Dont waste time or Money on College degrees unless you want to go into management. Certificates are much more valued in the working industry. I barely graduated from High school, but sure I am in the top earners of said class now.
Big companies pay more, but look for more specialized training in your back ground. More specialized competition for the job.
Small companies pay less, look for more generalized knowledge.
Companies rarely have a full time in house system administrator any more, they farm it out to consulting firms. These same consulting firms are ALWAYS looking for competent staff.
Working for consulting firm can suck... You are often in a different work place, given the worst work area, expected to work miracles.
I work harder/more hours, now than I ever have in my life. And I did manual labor for a number of years before I got into IT. Make more money now, but I earn it.
If you dont live near a large city, it can be hard to get a sys admin job, programmers can telecomute, but you need a proven track record before most companies will let you.
IT been bery bery good to me, I would change in a heartbeat if I could find something better, unfortunately dont think I can at this point in my life.
Some trades can be outsourced, witness drywall installers in LA. Immigrants moved in and killed the US citizen jobs.
I snuck into IT. As a mechanical engineer I was exposed to IT tools that were of interest. I got good and picked up in the ERP industry, eventually working for Oracle, a key player. Most Oracle ERP consultants were engineers or accountants first.
Retiring (I think) in a year or so.
Get a Linux or networking certification. Computer security is also a hot field right now.
Possibly. Let's review some questions.
The physical layout of computers, cables, and other components on a network is known as which of the following?
A. Segment
B. Backbone
C. Topology
D. Protocol
Which network architecture is defined as the IEEE 802.3 standard?
A. Token Ring
B. FDDI
C. Fiber
D. Ethernet
Is AppleTalk a routable protocol?
Is TCP/IP is a routable protocol?
Is NetBEUI a routable protocol?
What layer of the OSI model initiates request?
What is the difference between the MAC address and the IP address?
What layer of the OSI model Are TCP and UDP protocols?
What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?
Essay question for extra credit:
In your own words explain the difference between a connection communication and a connectionless communication?
The fact you have so many degrees in fields you ended up not liking is disturbing.
The question is : What experience do you have in IT that leads you to believe it is a better course than the other fields you studied?
I own a software company so I’ll speak to that side:
I think some of these comments are silly such as programmers are a dime a dozen and avoid web programming like the plague. Yes H1B visas are a drag on wages but outsourcing doesn’t work out so well in most cases and there is still massive demand for US coders.
Take a couple of classes in either C# or Java. There are plenty of other languages to choose from with C++ being a good choice and you should do some research to see what is hot (has the most positions begging for coders) in your locale. Build a small portfolio. At that point you should have little difficulty finding at entry level position starting at $35k to $45k a year. In a year you will make $55k and in 3-4 years, if you work hard (and it is hard work) you will make $100k a year or better (frequently much better) and be able to work from home.
I believe that your question was - how to best enter into the IT field”. What you need first is EXPERIENCE, so look for a job where you can gain it. Does this job look interesting to you? Check out the skills they want and get a job where you can get them.
PURPOSE:
Solves organizational information problems and requirements by analyzing requirements; designing computer programs; recommending system controls and protocols.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
•Determines operational objectives by studying business functions; gathering information; evaluating output requirements and formats.
•Designs and/or leads development of new computer functions by analyzing requirements; constructing workflow charts and diagrams; studying system capabilities; writing specifications.
•Improves systems by studying current practices; designing modifications.
•Reviews and manages implementation and reporting for Medicaid EHR Meaningful Use.
•Monitors and provides system improvements for users of the agency EHR and financial computer systems.
•Manages data requirements by payors, including (but not limited to) data submissions, reports and agency communications.
•Recommends system improvements to agency systems committee. Upon approval of improvements, manage system changes.
•Recommends controls by identifying problems; writing improved procedures.
•Defines project requirements by identifying project milestones, phases, and elements; forming project team; establishing project budget.
•Monitors project progress by tracking activity; resolving problems; publishing progress reports; recommending actions.
•Maintains system protocols by writing and updating procedures.
•Provides references for users by writing and maintaining user documentation; providing help desk support; training users.
•Maintains user confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.
•Prepares technical reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
•Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies.
•Serves as department manager in the absence of the IS Director.
•Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: At least 5 years’ experience using SQL, SSRS, Crystal Reporting, MS Office applications and MS Dynamics. At least 5 years’ experience in system design, business system documentation, review and documentation of software requirements, analysis of information in a detailed and overview method, teamwork, software maintenance. Excellent written communication skills. Ability to lead process improvement. Knowledge of computer and telecom systems, reviewing and recommending potential improvements of existing or proposed systems. Experience in the public behavioral healthcare environment preferred.
PHYSICAL CONSIDERATIONS: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required to sit, use hands and fingers, talk or listen. Close vision is also required for this position.
Network admins and other IT functionaries will go the way of the ones who thought they were set for life in the early to mid '90s when regular users began developing similar skill sets. security is probably one of the areas that will keep evolving and expanding - look at how many big breaches have occurred in companies that should have known better and been prepared. As hackers get more and more innovative, security folks will have to adapt.
That happened while I was at Cal State as a Computer Information Systems major. Business owners were installing and maintaining their own information systems and the "professional" market just wasn't there. It happened very fast.
One of my programming teachers said a programmer could write his own ticket. Five years later programmers in the US were unemployed and programmers in India were doing the same work for five bucks an hour.
Thanks for the advice.
Where might one go to find training in system security? Is that a tech school curriculum?
In the 60’s it was one word .... Plastics.
Now the one word is .... Data.
Systems administration.
Like I said in my OP, I have an accounting degree. But after such things as volunteer income tax work, I just don’t think that’s the field for me.
I took Basic, Visual Basic, and C++ while I was in college in California.
Check it out to see what the market is asking for in your region.
-PJ
Good luck
After reading Mr. Jeeves advice I like it best. It is very similar to the path I am on.
I was unemployed for 54 weeks after a 22 year career as a college administrator. But I had learned Microsoft Access and did some consulting on the side (both Access and Excel).
Found a job as a corporate trainer but demonstrated that I know more about Access and Excel than 95% of the others who work here so I am in demand.
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