Upcoming CIS grad W/ career change questions

A little about me,

I am 30 years old and will graduate with my B.S. in computer information systems in December. However, I have been working in the automotive industry for the last 10 years. 4 at previous position and 6 at my current position, meaning I have zero IT experience. I have always been great with computers, I have built multiple PC's and have always fixed and repaired them for family and work it has come easy to me.

Most people are asking what I want to do and honestly I am interested and open to most IT positions such as networking, database, security etc. I do realize that I will have to start entry level however, I feel as though level 1 help desk or NOC etc might be a tad low?

Also considering salary I make decent money for what is required of me right now, about 43k a year. ideally I would make the same income or more is this feasible? I have been taking all of the steps I can such as making sure my LinkedIn is up to date, contacting recruiters, and working on my networking I actually know a very large amount of people in the field.

So to get to the point what are some suggestions as far as positions to look for? Should I stick to low level help desk etc due to lack of experience?

If it matters I am in Colorado where I have been told tech is "booming"

Thanks
Rich

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Comments

Mooseboost

exxige wrote: »

I have zero IT experience.

I feel as though level 1 help desk or NOC etc might be a tad low?

I am perplexed. You have no experience but think that entry level positions are too low? Networking itself is not an entry level career, you have to build your way there. What real world networking skills do you have that would put you above help desk or NOC work?

Honestly your best bet is to try and get your foot into the door. A help desk position is excellent for that. Depending on the route you go you may want to look at getting a cert. Some places will hire college grads right out the door without experience, some won't. All you can do is try.

636-555-3226

Help desk would be my recommendation as an "in" and then impress your boss (and esp. the boss of the dept you want to move into next) with your leetness. That way once a new spot opens up in that other department they already know they want to hire you before you even apply.

I can't see you getting into a network position without any networking experience. Same with level 2 or 3 tech support.

bpenn

Given you will have a degree, you can make 43,000 at help desk, easy. The company that I work for pays their help desk teams well. Though, we also have security clearances and perform other functions besides desktop support.

Mooseboost

bpenn wrote: »

Given you will have a degree, you can make 43,000 at help desk, easy. The company that I work for pays their help desk teams well. Though, we also have security clearances and perform other functions besides desktop support.

I think a misconception so many people have is that all help desk pays trash. Of course it does matter where you go and who you work for but 50K is no unreasonable for some help desks. Maybe not Tier 1, but once you get in if you learn quickly you should move up without an problem. Of course, cost of living is a factor. 50K where you live may not be there same as where I live.

networker050184

exxige wrote: »

I actually know a very large amount of people in the field.

Convince one of these many people to hook you up with a job. It's the easiest way in and you may be able to pass up those dreaded entry level jobs.

exxige

exxige wrote: »

A little about me,

I am 30 years old and will graduate with my B.S. in computer information systems in December. However, I have been working in the automotive industry for the last 10 years. 4 at previous position and 6 at my current position, meaning I have zero IT experience. I have always been great with computers, I have built multiple PC's and have always fixed and repaired them for family and work it has come easy to me.

Most people are asking what I want to do and honestly I am interested and open to most IT positions such as networking, database, security etc. I do realize that I will have to start entry level however, I feel as though level 1 help desk or NOC etc might be a tad low?

Also considering salary I make decent money for what is required of me right now, about 43k a year. ideally I would make the same income or more is this feasible? I have been taking all of the steps I can such as making sure my LinkedIn is up to date, contacting recruiters, and working on my networking I actually know a very large amount of people in the field.

So to get to the point what are some suggestions as far as positions to look for? Should I stick to low level help desk etc due to lack of experience?

If it matters I am in Colorado where I have been told tech is "booming"

Thanks
Rich

Sorry Moose I definitely worded my post incorrectly when saying a tad low what I was trying to get across was that I am not a 23 year old out of college with zero work experience etc. I have worked my way up in the auto industry and put myself through school while buying a house, getting married, losing 141 LBS etc I am always driven and motivated.

Also before I posted this I knew little about NOC and help desk jobs I spent the day researching and looking at ads to realize this is probably where I should start as you suggested. I had previously looked at a few ads and found them offering $17/h however looking more I have found that I could make my same salary or more quite easily.

My main concern with help desk was just answering phones and reading from a script things to do or resetting passwords all day this would not be much aid in advancing my knowledge or resume. Also I am attempting to tap all of my connections as I mentioned I have a ton of friends, and family that are well established in IT, however I also do not want to leave it to chance that they might be able to help and also don't want to get a position I am not qualified for or would do horrible in.

do you guys feel that it would be smart for me to consider the A+ cert now or maybe after I find an entry level position and after my degree is finished in December? Is the A+ worth it as it seems like most of it will be repetition from college courses I have previously taken?

Thanks again and sorry for coming off as being "above" help desk Honestly have learned a lot in just two days of job searching and research about the actual positions, salary etc.

exxige

networker050184 wrote: »

Convince one of these many people to hook you up with a job. It's the easiest way in and you may be able to pass up those dreaded entry level jobs.

I am trying that! we will see where it goes but Honestly I am not sure I would qualify or do well in something not entry level. I have a experience with things like database, networks, java, etc. However, never working in IT I am not certain how much these skills I have from personal and current work situations will correlate.

exxige

Well I landed a service desk analyst position for the largest health care provider in the state. Seems like a ton of room for growth and potential. Pay is basically a horizontal move but the benefits about about 100% better I am excited and happy to learn and be challenged!!

If anyone has any tips and suggestions for the new position I am all ears. I have read through some of the threads asking for the same information and plan to apply it such as using evernote etc.

Once school finishes in December I want to start with certifications and ideally will lean towards the database side I am really enjoying SQL and the oracle class I have in my last semester.