I am sooooooo lost - PLEASE HELP. I welcome everyone's advice.

After many false starts and long pauses, I have decided to pursue a career in IT. My original major in college was a double major in Computer Science and Information Systems (was at this school for approx. 1 yr. and only took 1 programming course and Systems Analysis or whatever which I withdrew from midsemester). Have additional coursework from other schools - gen reqs and business-oriented. Other than that, I have a high technical aptitude, and have some experience with troubleshooting and upgrading computers, setting up home networks, etc. (my own). No formal IT work experience, but I understand the terminology and all of the concepts very well. I currently work as a contractor for the Bing search engine (have also done this type of work for Google also), but it's not the most technical of jobs and pay is surprisingly low (so low I get....help).

Considering my age (33), I feel that this is my last shot at a decent salary (ruled out Nursing, Law, Medicine, etc. due to time, cost). I don't have the luxury of returning to a brick-and-mortar college/FT because I have bills to pay. In my state (GA), it takes forever to get to the good stuff (your major courses), and I am in a hurry to get somewhat stable employment (first earning goal is a mere $35,000). What discouraged me from pursuing IT is that the field is so broad, and I feel like you can never get up to speed on what employers need, or have ENOUGH skills to be employable. When I see jobs it's like Job A at Company S - must be proficient in 2,5,6,11, and have 5-7 yrs. experience doing H,V, R, and T (Y variety). No one has ALL of the skills that each job requests. It's not a field where you can say I want to be a X and obtain G, H, and K training to be come a X.

I've been accepted to WGU, but for the IT Management degree (I really want an IT degree and am in the processing of appealing). I understand that I can come back and earn a second degree in IT but that costs more money and time. Would I be okay with supplementing the IT Mgmt degree with a load of self-studied certifications, or am I better off with the IT degree? I don't know what area of IT I'm interested but I'm sure I don't want to program/code, engineer, or do software development. What I DO know is that I am trying to get into the highest paying areas in the shortest amount of time - jobs where I can break $80,000 or pref. make six figures. (However if any of the aforementioned jobs will get me there fast, I'm open to them but keep in mind I can't afford coding schools like devbootcamp and what not - I am 100% dependent on financial aid for study).

Upon doing preliminary research, I think my interest is Security. I am also considering getting a few technical certificates from my local technical college. The training needed for Database Admin seems pretty straightforward (SQL/Oracle), but I feel like it's a dead-end. With the Cisco job cuts/decrease in demand, I wonder if networking certs. are still worth it. And I know, I know, I'll probably have to start out in Help Desk - and that's fine. I just need to know what certs, skills, training, will get me to an employable status and where I should aim to go from there. What jobs should I pursue? Should I pursue my degree at WGU or elsewhere? I hope you understand what I'm asking. Additional things to factor in - My job market is Atlanta (may consider returning home to Washington, DC) and I'm a female.

Find more posts tagged with

Free for TechExams community: Cybersecurity salary guide

Compare cert salaries and plan your next career move

Button

Comments

Jon_Cisco

I admire your lofty goals but I think you should start small.
You don't know what you want to do yet so the first thing would be getting an entry level job.

Is your current work going to be considered IT related when you are in an interview?
If so maybe build on it and if not look to shift to something IT related so you can start adding years of experience to your resume.
80-100k is certainly something you can achieve but I feel like if that's your only goal you will fail once you hit it because there is no real satisfaction in maintaining that position.

Find something you enjoy doing and start working towards a career in it.

Good Luck!

N2IT

I would go for the bachelors degree, in what that's up to you but it will help you land a job and give you more leverage to get paid more.

Take a deep breath and relax, IT is always moving and one of the key requirements (the main requirement for all IT jobs IMO) is to be able to adapt to ever changing environments. If that doesn't interest you or intimidates you then you won't make it up the food chain very far.

I wouldn't bomb out a bunch of certifications especially in Oracle or MS SQL until you have real world knowledge. It sounds like you are confused and that is okay. Just don't make a bunch of uninformed moves due to panic or uncertainty. I would get the degree that aligns with your goals the most. This is probably the most relational and risk averse decision you can make right now.

Xavor

Paragraph breaks!

Chasing the money will not help in the short term. You say you're working for the Bing support as a contractor. Leverage that, pick up some web dev skills related to the LAMP stack, and you can grab some entry level programming gigs. I'd look at a temp. or staffing agency as a way to break into a entry level web developer job. If you perform well, they can hire you after the contract ends.

You can teach yourself programming code on free websites such as codeacademy and others. Focus on getting decent at one language (say PHP) for a month and build on that skillset. If you don't like the programming after a year, you can use those skills in security later down the road.

Each IT path is strong. Pick one and build on your skillset. Age isn't a huge factor if you apply yourself. Washington, DC. is a great location for IT, but I wouldn't move without a job offer from a company. As you know, the cost of living here is high and you say you have existing bills.

Look at local college job boards and see what they want from applicants for Help Desk roles. They'll only average about 25-30k, but a good stepping stone.

Nonpareil

The paragraph issue has been fixed - for some reason it wouldn't let me the first time I posted. Sorry!

Because IT is always changing, in terms of training, I feel like I am chasing a high-speed, moving train. It feels like there is no way to get up to speed and get employable. By the time you train for one thing, another technology has taken it's place. I don't mind continually learning once employed, but I need to catch up, and hop on that train first.

Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly does a web "developer" do? I'm sure it's different than design, which is good I guess. I'm not a creative person, so I want to stay away from web design, graphic design...that sort of thing.

Of course I could leverage my current job into something, but it may take me down a path that I don't particularly want to go. I may not know exactly what I want to do, but once I get the info on something, I can quickly discern if it's something I don't want to do - basically, I don't know what I want, but I know what I don't want. The thought of web anything makes me uncomfortable. Programming and coding (all day, everyday as my main duty) is not my thing. My current position is mindnumbing and I have to sit in front of a computer all day with complete concentration as I am timed for speed and accuracy.

Things get muddy when we get into issues like job satisfaction - at this point, I'm the type of person that will be happy simply by making a LOT of money. I don't particularly have to like the job, I only need to feel comfortable and be good at it. Looking for things that I enjoy and have a "passion" for has cost me time in the long run.

Is there somewhere where the different IT jobs/paths are spelled out in terms of duties, skill set, training path, certs, etc.? So far, the only position that seems to have a straightfoward skill set is Database Admin. (SQL, Oracle).

And also, just for research - what are the top/six-figure earning skills/areas of IT?

jvrlopez

ruled out Nursing, Law, Medicine, etc. due to time, cost

and I am in a hurry to get somewhat stable employment

What I DO know is that I am trying to get into the highest paying areas in the shortest amount of time - jobs where I can break $80,000 or pref. make six figures...

There's really no way around this. You almost always have to do the time.

. My current position is mindnumbing and I have to sit in front of a computer all day with complete concentration as I am timed for speed and accuracy.

I'm the type of person that will be happy simply by making a LOT of money. I don't particularly have to like the job, I only need to feel comfortable and be good at it.

These statements seem contradictory to me. If you are just looking to make money, you will be easily dissuaded by a boring job.

Nonpareil

jvrlopez wrote: »

There's really no way around this. You almost always have to do the time.

I am aware that I won't make that type of money out of the gates (I'd having breathing room at $35,000 right now), but to know that I could get there in a reasonable amount of time (instead of 10+ yrs). is good enough for me.

Khaos1911

Wait, aren't we all trying to get into the highest paying area in the shortest amount of time?

Jon_Cisco

Based on the little bit I have seen so far I would suggest something like sales.
Anything commission based so you can appeal to your desire to make a lot of money.

Your still young so I suggest you take your time and make sure you pick something that will work for the next 30 years.

Good Luck!

5502george

My advice (I am bias) is to concentrate on security. Huge potential, like almost all other areas of IT.

jleydon82

Boy do I have the answer for you! Look for an entry level job at an Managed Service Provider (MSP). These are companies that have employees that they send out to their customers to work on all sorts of projects. It is quite a bit of work but you get experience in a lot of different technologies that you would normally be handcuffed just coming in.

Also the pay can range in this field but after a year you will know if you are cut out for it and can start earning much more money.

pinkydapimp

Seems like your looking for a shortcut. If you want to break that barrier, you have to do the work. As you said, IT is always changing and you will have to constantly change with it. You will need to constantly be learning new technology and staying up to date on trends. Do you have a passion for this or do you just want a job where you will make money? Because if you dont have a passion for it, i think its going to be hard for you to reach the heights that you wish to reach. remember you are competing with folks that have been doing this stuff their whole life and live this stuff. Getting a couple of certs wont cut it.

Now having said that, if you are truly interested in IT, you need to keep improving. Grab a few certs for starters, find another job where you can increase your skillset, and stay there for a year or two, then do it again. Dont get scared off by job ads that ask for 30 different skills. They know most people dont have them all. But if you have the major ones apply anyway. If your passionate and show that you will take the time to learn them(even if its studying at night while on the job) they will likely take a chance.

the_Grinch

I always cringe when people say things like "get to the good stuff" when going to college. There is so much more to IT then technical aptitude that I think people really need to consider. College doesn't teach you technology, college teaches you to think. If I relied solely on the technology courses I had taken in college then I would be a master at Pix Firewalls, Windows 2000 Desktop, and Server 2003. The idea is to teach you not the technology, but the foundations required to allow you to learn as things change and to troubleshoot properly.

Computer Science doesn't teach you a language (technically you will learn a language), it teaches you the proper methods of programming and thinking. In turn you can then pick any language and use it because you know how a language works. It's minor details that change and the general structure that will remain the same. Writing, public speaking, general communications, and the ability to reason are what will serve you most as you enter the work force. Have that foundation and it doesn't matter what the technology is you will be able to learn it.

As for majors no one honestly cares whether you have an MIS, IS, IT, or whatever other technology named program a school is offering. The idea of all those majors is the same and you can focus on a technology on your own if you know what you want to do. It seems now you aren't quite sure and I can speak from experience that neither was I when I started five years ago. That's why you start with a strong foundation and a smattering of everything in technology. Work a few years and at the very least you will find out what you don't want to do.

Nonpareil

5502george wrote: »

My advice (I am bias) is to concentrate on security. Huge potential, like almost all other areas of IT.

What is the training/career/skill set path for Security?

geekgirl74

jleydon82 wrote: »

Boy do I have the answer for you! Look for an entry level job at an Managed Service Provider (MSP). These are companies that have employees that they send out to their customers to work on all sorts of projects. It is quite a bit of work but you get experience in a lot of different technologies that you would normally be handcuffed just coming in.

Also the pay can range in this field but after a year you will know if you are cut out for it and can start earning much more money.

I agree with working for an MSP. I do, and what a way to get your hands dirty quickly! You will get quite a bit of experience in a variety of things, and from there figure out where you'd like to focus.

Xavor

Just curious, is your job something where you have to get timed for speed and accuracy to actually test the BING engine? Like, you sit down at some BING display and click and search for 8 hours a day?

I threw out software development (web dev is websites), because it can be easy to get into with less investment. Security can require degrees (Bachelor), years of experience, and certifications. The Security+ or SSCP would be an entry level certification.

Getting the Security+ will not instantly grant you this 80k number you're throwing around. Working in the field and producing results for several years will.

iBrokeIT

jleydon82 wrote: »

Boy do I have the answer for you! Look for an entry level job at an Managed Service Provider (MSP). These are companies that have employees that they send out to their customers to work on all sorts of projects. It is quite a bit of work but you get experience in a lot of different technologies that you would normally be handcuffed just coming in.

Also the pay can range in this field but after a year you will know if you are cut out for it and can start earning much more money.

+1 for the MSP path to get exposure to lots of technology quickly and then figure out which area you'll want to specialize in after a few years.

Nonpareil

Xavor wrote: »

Just curious, is your job something where you have to get timed for speed and accuracy to actually test the BING engine? Like, you sit down at some BING display and click and search for 8 hours a day?

I threw out software development (web dev is websites), because it can be easy to get into with less investment. Security can require degrees (Bachelor), years of experience, and certifications. The Security+ or SSCP would be an entry level certification.

Getting the Security+ will not instantly grant you this 80k number you're throwing around. Working in the field and producing results for several years will.

We basically look at the queries people type and compare that to specific advertisements and websites. We label these websites based on relevance to the query. It is done to make sure the ads shown are relevant to what people search for. The unpleasant part comes with having to do 100+ of these an hour with all kinds of metrics thrown in for speed, accuracy, and quality....and quality is subjective (won't get into this).

FWITW, I only work 20 hrs. a week, max. I keep this job so I can to go to school. It was an okay gig when we were employees, but they laid everyone off and had us come back as contractors with no benefits and less hours. It's so bad that I now get public assistance. On the plus side, I get plenty of aid for school. Pell pays almost all my tuition at WGU.

Without sounding spoiled, it is not to my benefit to work outside the home unless it's for $30,000+. Anything less is just paycheck to paycheck, wear and tear on my car, racking up credit card bills for repairs, etc. I didn't come from a cushy background and I'm tired of struggling, so that is why I'm hungry for money. All of my peers are highly educated and making six figures now (and I was the smartest and most gifted of them all). My home is paid for, so is my car. But I'd like a bigger home...a newer nicer car. Savings. Breathing room. The key to my happiness is GAINFUL employment.

cyberguypr

Other have touched on this but let me bring up a few point again.

OP, make sure you do things for the right reasons. Money usually won't get you happiness. I rather take a $75k job where I am happy instead of a $125k one were I am miserable. Another thing you have to keep in mind is that in any field you can command six figures. They key is specializing. One you get education, certs, and experience, the money will come. You could be a DBA, a Systems Engineer, Security Guru, or whatever and if the skill set is right, you could make good money.

And your logic of not being able to catch a speeding train is flawed. Of course you can't catch it right now, but as you grow professionally you can run faster and catch up that same train. It just takes time and patience. This forum is full of stories of progress. Some take 6 months, others take 6 years. As long as you have a goal and a plan, you should be good to go. Example: every time I go to SANS training I end up talking to guys like Dr. Eric Cole or Jason Fossen who make me feel like I don't know anything. Instead of sitting down to think how I will never be able to catch up to them, I end up going home at the end of the day and hitting my lab harder than ever. Motivation is key.

To close, I hope you find your North. To me it seems like you are looking to do this for the wrong reasons and don't really have passion for it. Maybe it's the fact you don't know where you are going. For this reason, I say focus on finding what your passion is and follow it. I guarantee you'll get more out of this journey.

If you really want to take a shot at Infosec, see here: http://danielmiessler.com/blog/build-successful-infosec-career/

New2ITinCali

I am the same age as you and female as well. I honestly think you're over analyzing. I'm guilty of that as well. Regardless of what you take in school, as long as your major is in some area of I.T., it shouldn't be*too difficult to*break in. I was patient and persistent though. I earned my BA in I.T. Management, but I did a software development internship and finally landed a Desktop Support position and thats what I'm currently doing now.

Cisc0kidd

Lots of great advice in this thread. Remember you have to walk before you run. Don't get a management degree if you want to do tech work. The only thing keeping you from getting into the IT tech programmed at WGU is one cert. If you can't knock out a low level cert in a few weeks, the WGU program is not for you. Good luck.

Nonpareil

To everyone who offered genuine advice, thank you. For the people who took this opportunity to leave sarcastic reputation comments........smh At the end of the day, we all want to be successful and comfortable.

LeBroke

cyberguypr wrote: »

OP, make sure you do things for the right reasons. Money usually won't get you happiness. I rather take a $75k job where I am happy instead of a $125k one were I am miserable.

Problem is, $75k and $125k isn't a huge jump in your quality of life. It's the difference between a cheap BMW and a Porsche; Mexico and French Riviera; backyard and backyard with a pool.

On the other hand, the difference between $25k and even $40k is huge. $25-30k is barely enough for necessities like a cheap car payment, rent, and bills. You can't be happy if you're struggling to put food on the table, no matter how good fun and fulfilling your job is. Or at least, you can't do it for more than a few years, until the romance wears off.

Money is not correlated with happiness, but only after a certain income level, after reaching which, happiness plateaus when plotted vs. income. Before that, happiness increases linearly with income. Breakeven point was measured to be around ~$79k in the US for a single person. Oh, the things you learn when you have a useless minor in psych.