Career change

I'm 23 and currently in my first semester of law school, but I’ve decided I don’t want to be a attorney. So I’m going to drop out now before it’s too late and I’m $150k in debt.

Since middle school, I’ve had a strong interest in computers. I enjoy fixing software problems and finding ways to use computers to make life easier. I'm the go-to IT guy for family, friends, and my dad's non-profit company. I read books about cloud computing and computer security for fun. I figure if I enjoy this type of thing, pursuing it as a career makes sense.

I also have a strong interest in productivity. That is, I enjoy taking a system of doing something apart and putting it back together in a way that makes things work more efficiently. I like working directly with people, and I'm a strong writer.

I graduated from college a couple years ago with a B.A in History and Political Science and a 3.8 GPA.

I don’t like math or programming. So I don't want to go the programmer route. I’d rather use a program someone else wrote – I don’t want to write them myself.

My question is: What kind of education should I look into? Options I’m aware of: (1) get certifications (2) take classes at a community college (3) MBA with concentration in Information Systems. Are there other options I’m leaving out?

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Comments

Pratt2

Sounds familiar... But I kept going and am now $120k in debt, hate the thought of being a lawyer and am not making any more money than I could have with just an undergrad degree. Not to mention the only "entry level" attorney jobs are volunteer positions. Someone should really tell people there is no connection between enjoying school and enjoying the career BEFORE they get into law school.

I'd give you some answers but I haven't figured things out myself. All I'll say is getting out is probably the best decision you've ever made

azjag

pandawatch wrote: »

I'm 23 and currently in my first semester of law school, but I’ve decided I don’t want to be a attorney. So I’m going to drop out now before it’s too late and I’m $150k in debt.

Since middle school, I’ve had a strong interest in computers. I enjoy fixing software problems and finding ways to use computers to make life easier. I'm the go-to IT guy for family, friends, and my dad's non-profit company. I read books about cloud computing and computer security for fun. I figure if I enjoy this type of thing, pursuing it as a career makes sense.

I also have a strong interest in productivity. That is, I enjoy taking a system of doing something apart and putting it back together in a way that makes things work more efficiently. I like working directly with people, and I'm a strong writer.

I graduated from college a couple years ago with a B.A in History and Political Science and a 3.8 GPA.

I don’t like math or programming. So I don't want to go the programmer route. I’d rather use a program someone else wrote – I don’t want to write them myself.

My question is: What kind of education should I look into? Options I’m aware of: (1) get certifications (2) take classes at a community college (3) MBA with concentration in Information Systems. Are there other options I’m leaving out?

Where do you want to be in five years? Once you figure that out then put together a road map for how to get there. Get certified in the area that you want to work in. Having no experience and a MCSE or CCNA won't land you job. Most people start with the Comptia A+ and Net+ to get an entry level job. After that you jump into more specialized areas of Network admin (CCNA), Systems Admin (RHCE or MCSE), Database admin (Oracle or SQL) virtualization, storage and security.

You will coast through most HR filters by simply having a Bachelors degree. Unless they specifically say you have to have a degree in a specific field.

Save the Masters level stuff for when you decide on where you want to go.

Buy a book on a technology area and read it. Build a home lab.

Welcome to the forums.

tearofs

cert + real job = what I recommend