Am I On the Right Track? Right State of Mind? Need Career Change 25 year old

joeeeyg

Hello all, newb here .

I'm 25 years old and currently work for a brokerage firm with my series 7/63 license doing back office operations. I realize da little while ago, this is not what I want to do for a living... I enjoy the finance field, but love the tech side. I graudated from the University at Albany with a degree in Information science, minor in business. I've always been a tech person deep down inside, I enjoy it, when a friend has a computer issue, it urks me if I can't solve it and research until I find a solution. I worked two summer internships as a IT tech for a brokerage firm during my college summer breaks. Nothing too serious or challenging, but it was something.

I want to make the move to the technology field, possibly for a finance or brokerage company. Should I go for the A+, Network+ and security+ certifications? I mean I know it's just a line item, but will it give me the headstart I need? A lot of these tech positions go pretty in deep in, so I feel the certifications will help give me a better insight of things along with actual practice. Do you guys think this idea will put me on the right track? I'm in desperate need of a change... Thanks!!

HLRS

well A+ and N+ are way to go for beginning, then MCITP or CCNA

glenn_33

I'd go for A+, Net+ and Security+ as a good foundation. At least that is what I've been told is a good base to build off of

RouteThisWay

I think you are on the right track. Always leave your options open too- just because you want to get into _____ technical field, doesn't mean it won't change. When I signed up here almost 3 years ago, I wanted to be a Network Admin and then Engineer (my username is proof lol). My interests have changed as I progressed deeper into IT and now I am all about virtualization.

Don't get tunnel vision and work on some certifications. A+/N+ is a good start- if you want to get into system work, maybe try a Microsoft or Linux cert. Or if you like networking try CCNA. Have you thought about possibly software development? A couple friends of mine who were awesome in the Finance field are really great developers- seems to be a good transition with data analysis, etc.

IT is a broad field. You are in a perfect position to really explore what you like while you work your current field.

drkat

Damn man, Series 7.. you can make a lot of dough. I'll trade ya

paul78

Probably not in back office operations. That work can be incredibly mind-numbing.

@joeeeyg - one question that a lot of people on TE will ask is if you really want to do IT. Perhaps its just grind of back office ops that you hate. Have you considered trying front-office work?

But if IT is your thing and if you already work for one of the bigger regionals or wirehouses, perhaps you can explore internally. Studying for one of the CompTIA certs is certainly a good place to start. Do you know what area of IT you may prefer? The CompTIA certs can expose you to a pretty broad foundational range.

veritas_libertas

I'm of a slightly different view on the CompTIA certifications. Besides the A+, most of them are useless to have. I would read the Network+ and Security+ material, but actually getting them seems like a waste of money to me. After you have done the A+ I would focus on either the MCITP:EA or the CCNA. I know some will argue the value of the Security+, but that is mostly for government jobs.

MiikeB

I would skip the A+ and Network+, the only CompTIA cert that employers even care about a little bit is Security+, and even that is just a little bit, unless your DoD. A+ and Network+ sound great when you are applying for a job at Geek Squad or Desktop Support I guess.

You have a job right now and obviously make a liveable salary.

If you want to break in to the IT field quickly and move up fast start studying for MCSA/MCITP:SA OR go networking and go for CCNA. Any job you can get with the A+ and Network+ you can get with either CCNA/MCSA but CCNA/MCSA can get you a lot of jobs that Network+ and A+ can't.

nster

MiikeB wrote: »

I would skip the A+ and Network+, the only CompTIA cert that employers even care about a little bit is Security+, and even that is just a little bit, unless your DoD. A+ and Network+ sound great when you are applying for a job at Geek Squad or Desktop Support I guess.

You have a job right now and obviously make a liveable salary.

If you want to break in to the IT field quickly and move up fast start studying for MCSA/MCITP:SA OR go networking and go for CCNA. Any job you can get with the A+ and Network+ you can get with either CCNA/MCSA but CCNA/MCSA can get you a lot of jobs that Network+ and A+ can't.

For someone who is relatively new, isn't MCSA/ MCITP:SA wayyyyy too hard to begin with? I'm thinking of doing the A+ N+ --> Linux+ CCNA ---> MCSA... but if you think a somewhat newbie can tackle MCSA, I'll skip A+ and N+ and go for MCSA first.

MeanDrunkR2D2

As others have said, I'd skip the A+ and N+. If you feel like you need one, definitely get just the A+ as it's your "basic" computer tech cert. I'd focus more on the CCNA or MCITP: EDA if you really want to get a good solid foot in the door. The A+ is more of less to feed the HR people looking for specific certifications for entry level type of positions. Having the MCITP EDA or EDST would get the hiring managers attention though as the A+ is really quite a simple certification that you can get.

lantech

You already have a degree in information systems and a couple of internships that show some experience so the Comptia certs may not really be necessary for you. I think those certs are more for people that don't have any experience or knowledge in IT at all. Getting your CCNA or MCITP will be hard but I'm not sure how much easier the Comptia certs would make it for you. Reading some training material for them might help refresh your memory on the basics though.

Also as someone said, check out positions in your company in the IT department and see if you can't get a transfer or at least help out with some projects they might have going on.

m3zilla

Before you drop everything and switch career, you should really think whether about whether IT is something you want to do, or if it's just something to get you away from your job. Just because you enjoy fixing your friend's PC doesn't mean you'll enjoy doing it full-time. You intern in the IT field, why didn't you pursue it then?

Vik210

RouteThisWay wrote: »

I think you are on the right track. Always leave your options open too- just because you want to get into _____ technical field, doesn't mean it won't change. When I signed up here almost 3 years ago, I wanted to be a Network Admin and then Engineer (my username is proof lol). My interests have changed as I progressed deeper into IT and now I am all about virtualization.

Don't get tunnel vision and work on some certifications. A+/N+ is a good start- if you want to get into system work, maybe try a Microsoft or Linux cert. Or if you like networking try CCNA. Have you thought about possibly software development? A couple friends of mine who were awesome in the Finance field are really great developers- seems to be a good transition with data analysis, etc.

IT is a broad field. You are in a perfect position to really explore what you like while you work your current field.

This is very correct statement.. I always say, study to gain knowledge and not to pass exams. Spend few days with A+/N+ books and see if you enjoy it. Start working if you get a chance and then do the certifications if you want to pursue your career in that direction.

telco1

Good lord man, why in the world would you want to leave a good paying job, in a career field that you have experience in for the crappy dead IT field? Do yourself a huge favor and stay in the field you are in. I woud not advise anyone to go into the lousy IT field. Outsourcing, temporary contractors, and the terrible economy have all played a part in destroying what was left off the IT field. It's nearly impossible for people who have esperience, and certs to get an IT job, let along someone who is just starting out. Seriously do yourself a favor and stick with yiour current field, the IT field is terrible. I spent way too long trying to get back into the IT field after being laid off twice three years ago. Since then I have gotten nothing, not even a contract job. Try to move up in your current field, and don't ever quit a good paying job to pursue IT. I would give anything to be in your shoes and have a good job.

Iristheangel

@Telco - IT is one of the fastest growing fields in the US. Source: High Growth Industry Profile - Information Technology I'm really sorry you didn't fare better in the IT market but that doesn't mean the OP will fare poorly because YOU did.


@OP - Good luck!

telco1

I'm just preparing this guy for reality. IT is dead as a doorknob. I would hate to see someone quit a good job to try and break into this lousy field. I don't care what the labor board, or whatever says. If you are a long-term unemployed then companies deem you "Unemployable" and refuse to even look at you. It's real bad in IT. I'm glad I am leaving this field. I'm sure you didnt have any problems because you havent been out of work for three years.

Iristheangel

No, I wasn't out of work for three years but I did get into the IT field during the worst part of the recession. If I was out of work for three years, I would be consulting/contracting work and filling the gap in my resume with that. Plenty of people do that and employers have no issue with taking that as work experience. The accurate statement wouldn't be "The IT field is dead" because plenty of people are getting jobs or breaking into the field. The accurate statement is "I couldn't get a job"

Patel128

Maybe I just don't know how HR works, but I have never heard of a person not being employed because he/she hasn't had a job for a while. I would think there are other reasons that added to that decision. Maybe there was something more you could do. To the OP though I would say don't let him steer you away from IT. If you truly love IT work then by all means go for it. Just make sure you LOVE it. Do something you love as a career, and your work will show it.

telco1

To Iris


I am glad to hear that everything in your world is all hunky dory, but in the real world where people are suffering from joblessness, it's a whole different story. IT is dead. and that's the truth. I know other IT guys who are out of work too, or are trying to do contracting work, and making pittance.
I tried to get contracting work, but none of the scummy recruiters would hire me. I am very happy to be done with this crappy field.

Patel128

If I am not mistaken I think we all are living in the real world . Im sorry you and your buds are having bad luck in IT but everyone I know that are in IT are doing good in the IT world. Then again they might also not be in the real world.

Iristheangel

@telco - There are jobless people in every field. That does not mean the field is dead. Jobs not being added to a field would imply the field is dead. This is not the case with IT.

@OP - Don't get discouraged. Plenty of us succeed all the time. I started in IT during the worst recession since the great depression (200 and I'm up at the 6-figure level 5 years later. It took working two jobs most of that time, going to school, self-studying my way through certifications, consulting on the side, etc but I got there. Like Patel said: Make sure it's something you love

telco1

Patel128 wrote: »

If I am not mistaken I think we all are living in the real world . Im sorry you and your buds are having bad luck in IT but everyone I know that are in IT are doing good in the IT world. Then again they might also not be in the real world.

Try being out of work for three years. Having no money, no credit, no hope, and no unemployment beneifits. and having to live off of your dad. Then you can tell me what's real and what is not real. If I had ditched IT a couple of years ago, I would be fine now. I wont make that mistake again. I am done with this field, and looking forward to starting a new career, or new job. I just hope the OP doesn't leave his good paying job to make pittance in IT, or be thrown out on the streets.

Iristheangel

telco1 wrote: »

Try being out of work for three years.

It would never happen. If my current skillset was not desirable, then I would do whatever it took to pick up a skillset that was desirable in the existing market. If I couldn't get a job doing where I am located, I would check relocating to a better market. If that didn't work, I would continue doing contract work through Onforce until the market got better. If that didn't work, I would find an internship and start at the bottom. There are always options to prevent myself from having a large gap in my resume. *I* am in control of my career.

telco1 wrote: »

If I had ditched IT a couple of years ago, I would be fine now.

It sounds like you DID ditch IT several years ago. Your thread about giving up on IT was originally posted in 2010, was it not?

Patel128

Try not to use that you were out for 3 years as your crutch. In those 3 years I can guarantee that there was something more you could of done to get that job. Its not "IT"s fault you couldn't get a job it's yours and that's how the real world works. I am working a min wage job now that barely gets into helpdesk work while I am in school. Nevertheless I do hope you make it big in which ever profession you want to get into to. If that doesn't pan out I'm sure its just because it was a dead industry.

telco1

Iristheangel wrote: »

It would never happen. If my current skillset was not desirable, then I would do whatever it took to pick up a skillset that was desirable in the existing market. If I couldn't get a job doing where I am located, I would check relocating to a better market. If that didn't work, I would continue doing contract work through Onforce until the market got better. If that didn't work, I would find an internship and start at the bottom. There are always options to prevent myself from having a large gap in my resume. *I* am in control of my career.



It sounds like you DID ditch IT several years ago. Your thread about giving up on IT was originally posted in 2010, was it not?

That's what everyone believes until they get laid off or fired and thrown in the street. The truth is you are not in control of your career. That;s what those lame recruiters want you to believe. Again you can't force companies to hire you. They can hire you or fire you for any reason not related to ethnicity or sex. They can throw your resume right in the trash and there is nothing you can do about it. You say all of this now, but until you have been out of work for a long period of time like me, then you really don't have any idea.
I did do two internships years ago, one was paying and one was not, but there are none out in my area. Yes I wanted to quit two years ago, and I kept trying because I enjoyed IT work. BTW I have a marketable skill set as well, and experience, and certs, and it did NOTHING for me. Here I am three years later and jobless. I would never reccommend anyone going into the IT field. The only fields that are still ok to get into is accounting and medical. thats it.

Patel128

Im sorry that you couldn't find a job but to say that it is a dead field because you couldnt make it is dumb. I do know an accountant that can't find a job so I will speak for him and say that accounting is a dead field.

Cerebro

I know alot of people with quality degrees from good Universities. But they didn't want to push themselves and face the potential numerous rejections. So they got something that pays the bills, but ultimately they feel like something is missing.

Do you want to be doing a job, where you make the donuts and then go home? Or something where you are using your skills and passionate about?

Vik210

telco1 wrote: »

Try being out of work for three years.

What have you done when you were out of work? 3 years is a very long time. I was jobless from last 4 months because I switched country but now I have an offer letter for a job which is much better than my last one and it’s not because HR likes me – I was refreshing my skills and studying every spare minute I had. People appreciate it. When I interview anyone with a gap in resume, I really want to know what they have been doing all that time. I don’t expect everyone to write certification exams but if the answer is only ‘job search’, that’s the end of interview for me.
I am not as courageous as ‘Iris’ to start at bottom and I can’t even say ‘I am in control of my career’, she sounds quite senior to me. May be I am more like you but all I know is, technology is where I want to be (because I love it) and I will do whatever it takes to have the job I want. Like many other fields, no one will come and offer you a job unless you have something they want. UK has a massive IT job market. I have seen many complaining though but the problem is with their resume. India/ Singapore/ Australia all have thousands of job. If one has the skills they can apply anywhere. We don’t need to get any authorisation from local authorities, like in teaching, medical science or law.
@OP – You may get established as ‘Iris’ or lost as ‘Telco’. The point is, do what you like to do. You can be Iris or Telco in any career path. If you really enjoy IT, you will love to work and you will progress really quick with your dedication. I love to travel and work on technology and this field gives me both. Find what keeps your happy and take your own decision!

JoJoCal19

Iristheangel wrote: »

It would never happen. If my current skillset was not desirable, then I would do whatever it took to pick up a skillset that was desirable in the existing market. If I couldn't get a job doing where I am located, I would check relocating to a better market. If that didn't work, I would continue doing contract work through Onforce until the market got better. If that didn't work, I would find an internship and start at the bottom. There are always options to prevent myself from having a large gap in my resume. *I* am in control of my career.

Bingo!

I think what you said explains the broader unemployment problem. I know the job market isn't what it was in 2006 but there is almost no reason to be unemployed that long other than A) You aren't trying hard enough, You really screwed up along the line and are almost unemployable, C) You are horrible at interviewing and keep blowing possible chances, or D) You sat back and did absolutely nothing to bolster your resume and keep skills fresh and now you are competing with everyone else who did. Now that's not to say that there aren't cases where people really are having bad luck with it, but I would bet most cases fall into one of the above.

Working for a company that almost went under and then was subsequently bought out and having about 2 years of continually being in a virtual lottery of being laid off at any given moment, I always had your EXACT opinion. I mentally kept a contingency plan that had me going through the same progression you laid out. I would do whatever it took to regain employment. And I took it a step further, being that if I wasn't seeing progress within IT, I would look to start working outside of IT if I had to.

To the OP, many others have given great advice and I would add to that you should look into job shadowing and trying to get in with the company you work for.