Career help for someone super green

nosauz

Hi guys,

Basically I've kind of messed up life, I'm 28 no degree about 18K in loans, scrapping by working minimum wage jobs and editing papers/ doing homework for lazy college kids. I'm basically 3/4's away from my degree but due to health issues(depression and then t2 diabetes with poor management) I can't feasibly go back to school as I would have to pay my way through and don't have access to federal student loans. Also if I were to go back it would be for essentially a BA/BS in biology which I have realized I have no interest in. The real problem is that I don't have any real assets and my parents and I are estranged so I can't rely on them for financial support. I'm currently studying for the CCENT/CCNA and I'm good portion done with the CCENT and am trying to decide whether or not to take the split exam. I'm pretty book smart but I'm just have had major issues with self motivation in the past but really want to better my self.

Currently the plan I'm trying to make work is:

Get CCENT/CCNA
Find entry level position in IT
Eventually move up to Security

I just want to know what the job prospects are for a 28 year old **** up like me

The other option is:
Go back to school and take out an additional 10-15k in private loans to finish the degree (the school is actually a pretty elite public school so the education quality is excellent and pretty reasonable about 5k a semester for tuition plus room and board)
Get CCENT/CCNA
Find entry level position in IT
Move up to security

I feel like I'm finally at a point in my life to not just want to coast/ tread water but I want to know if it's realistic with route A or do I need to save up and go route B to even get a crack at the industry. A close friend has been advising me and I'm afraid if it's route B it'll be hard to swallow an additional loan burden on top of the 18K I owe considering this additional loan burden would be subsidized higher interest.

For reference I'm currently half way through the CCENT book, and I can really hunker down and finish in the next 2-3 weeks then study/practice for the exam.

NetworkingStudent

Do you have your Diabetes and Depression under control? You need to get these items under control first, before you can add more to your plate.

PCTechLinc

I agree... above all, you need to get your blood sugar to a manageable level. My wife was originally diagnosed with T2 about 5 years ago, but was recently re-diagnosed with T1. Getting her A1C to a much healthier level has helped with her depression and anxiety as well. We just moved to a different area, and she has been handling the extra stress a lot better than if her blood sugar levels were still in the 200s on a regular basis.

After that, with a good PLAN, everything else will fall into place. Do not get stuck worrying about the things that have already happened, or things that you can't control. If it's in the past, keep it there. Just try to make better decisions in the future. Find a good support group. The people on this forum are very good at giving advice, and sometimes saying things you need to hear.

If I were you, I would focus on the things you CAN afford, and try to finish school later. Work experience and certifications will pay off quickly, but you do have to apply yourself and prove to yourself that you can accomplish your goals. After you have proven that to yourself, it will be easier to prove to others, which will strengthen your self esteem. Do not let yourself be your biggest deterrent to fulfilling your goals.

p@r0tuXus

Disclaimer: I'm not you, I can't make your decisions, but if I were in your position (and some of this hit home) here's what I'd do...


Step 1) Get exercise and find friends/groups on meetup.com to join for encouragement and accountability. Start shopping at farmer's markets and making your own meals. Cut your carbs and sugars. This sucks, I know. Drink more water and get plenty of sleep. If you can manage this for 3-4 weeks then you'll be well on your way to managing both your dominate issues.

Step 2) Get a better job. Sounds easier said than done, but start polishing up that resume, hunting for support jobs and joining tech groups (again via meetup) to get yourself on the networking track. I mean this in both tech and social terms. Once you start making friends/contacts and learning the tech you can build your confidence and the bridges to better opportunities.

Step 3) Land your certs. Maybe look into WGU. This might be done once you've tackled the first 2 steps and have your momentum and self-accountability/confidence. Anyway, with Certs (they accept in lieu of course credits) and your all ready earned credits (some of your gen-eds would probably transfer in) you could finish up a bachelors in IT network administration. Then onto a better job with a degree, certs and some experience from the help-desk job and a little help from your contacts/friends.

It's a total life-style change and it would take some time, but I assure you it's doable. Take it in steps and don't forget to hold yourself accountable and find others to help you do that, then reward yourself for your goals being met. I wish you the best of luck and welcome to the forum. Here's a little song just for you: https://youtu.be/-FDGsaEIKMM

mzx380

Have a read, this could prove useful to you.
Good luck

http://www.techexams.net/forums/jobs-degrees/123500-my-whirwind-year-things-i-learned-2016-a.html

nosauz

Thanks for all the quick replies. Currently I'm working on my weight and don't feel depressed anymore. My sugars are solid and I want to make the push forward on self improvement. I was given the Troy mcmillan book for ccent and have powered through the introductory portion. This weekend I'm going to create a schedule and power through some more. Was just wondering would it be more beneficial to take ccna in two parts or one considering I'm not a comp sci background. And will ccent help me get to a support desk type job to build work exp while I prep for the second half of ccna

volfkhat

You don't need a College Degree to "make it" in I.T.

I would consider going for my Associates from local Community College (but you gotta make sure their curriculum is decent).
definitely a Much cheaper option.

As for the test; i took it in 2 parts.
Breaking up the material in Half; made the experience Less Stressful.

PCTechLinc

If you are new to the networking world, it will be a little more expensive, but a lot more beneficial to take the ICND1 first, then work on ICND2. The objectives are split, so that will help you focus. CCENT will help you get an entry-level position, but you'll have to start a little above minimum wage until you get the experience and higher certs. That is a good start though. Just keep doing what you're doing. It sounds like you have a pretty good plan.

Best of luck!

Matthew1974

You are doing the right thing. Get your certs and a good job.

Forget about college for now. I really believe in a good education, but the cost is now completely out of proportion. It's unreasonable and unsustainable. I am totally sympathetic about wanting to finish, but generally speaking, a degree alone will not get you a job. In the future, with some work experience it would help, but IMO it is not worth putting yourself in further debt. Debt will massively reduce your opportunities. Once you have a decent income, and a stable work situation you can build on, go for it.

My biggest regrets are not acting on something. You may not be sure about prospects, or what you should do. That's ok. You will not regret getting certified. You can do it now. Basically, getting certified and getting a good job will make college possible.

RogueAdmin

>
> the school is actually a pretty elite public school
>

Find the academic counselors for the school. Inquire to options. May need to ask multiple counselors. Typically, they are amiable to re-admitting students who voluntarily separated (vs being more forcibly removed). Switching majors can be a likely possibility, and would aim for the easiest & quickest option. Usually schools _want_ their students to graduate & be successful.

Too, the school may have programs, options, and support for those with your issues. Not all counselors are aware of the programs, hence the need to ask multiple people.

Reason to complete the college degree (any degree) is such tends to be a pre-qualifier for jobs. Too, a reputable degree allows the option for Master's in the future, as a Masters can be a prequalifier for higher level jobs.

For the CCNA: Go the Cisco NetAcademy route, which is available at many community colleges. Benefit is getting college credit, being around in-person like minded students, having on-hand equipment to use, and having an immediately available instructor to surmount the small issues which inevitably arise during studying & labbing.

nosauz

Thoughts on the Troy McMillan book? If there deficiencies are there any free resources that could help round out what I need to know for the CCENT?