Career change at 28 to I.T needs help

sparky98

Hello I thinking of entering I.T career. I'm 28 single no kids. Currently making about $18/hr as a cook which is not really my passion. Just got sidetrack when I was in college. My passion is I.T went to tech highschool, and couple years of college but didn't finish. I'm thnking of getting certification, what certification shold i start. I onlly know basic of computer and built my own pc and home network. Shold I start with A+ or MCITP???

NotHackingYou

Start with A+. Where are you at? Most entry-level IT jobs probably own't start out at $18/hr.

filkenjitsu

What seems interesting to you? Most of us started at the Help Desk/Tech Support initially while spending time fixing out families computers for years. I would say A+ & N+ are great places to start while looking for a PC Repair Job or Help Desk Job. Customer service skills are so very important in your initial start of a tech career. Geek squad type services exist to get your start, then you can move on. Usually a Network Operations Center (NOC) will have you monitor telecommunications equipment, routers/switches, servers, etc. Each NOC has it's own focus, but usually require a little bit of experience. Try to get into a NOC if you can once you have learned a thing or two, but you may need to start initially in the call center doing tech support/help desk, geek squad, or a local computer shop as a PC repair/sales person.

I would say this: A+ then Network + while applying for entry level jobs. Shape your resume around being a fast learner and having great customer service skills. After those certs I would go for a Microsoft certification certifying you on a Windows desktop operating system. I always liked the MCDST as it taught you windows and Microsoft Office troubleshooting in the cert, not sure if it is around anymore. These are the certs that will help you get that entry level job. Once you are in your entry level job, start to go after either more advanced Microsoft degrees or take the Cisco path to CCNA. Usually for a NOC job, CCNA is the better choice, again, depending on what the NOC actually monitors.

draught

I was 28 when I decided I wanted to switch jobs too. I started by going back to school and the computer tech degree program I'm in introduced me to the A+ and other Comptia certs.

If I were you I'd check for a degree program at your local community college and like everyone says start with the A+ and then work from there. Do note that it's very hard to get in the field with no experience so either you have a friend in a company or you'll need certifications.

W Stewart

You probably won't be making close to what you make now starting out in IT but the level of knowledge you have going into IT can make a difference. I started out doing tech support for Dell making $12.50 an hour. Plenty of guys had been there for 4 and 5 years and never got a raise. I studied linux on my own and after a year and a half in IT I'm making $18/hour as a Jr admin. Another guy that started at Dell at the same time as me either had his Associates or was finishing it and his particular degree covered a lot of Windows server stuff. He also knew a whole lot about linux. He left Dell after 3 or 4 months and started doing contracts as a system admin making $40/hr. Dell was his first IT job. He was working as a security guard prior to that. That's a pretty big jump to make after only 3 or 4 months of professional experience but if you're knowledgeable enough it can be done. It wouldn't be the worst idea to make sure that you have a pretty good level of knowledge before making the jump from your current position. The inevitable paycut you'll take won't last as long if you have a solid level of knowledge.

RussS

I was over 40 when I changed - been there 8 years and gone from$27K on trial to $48K + mileage for vehicle use. Still only A=, Net+ anmd a few MCPs.

sparky98

CarlSaiyed wrote: »

Start with A+. Where are you at? Most entry-level IT jobs probably own't start out at $18/hr.

Thanks Carl. Yes I'm in Las Vegas. I work in the restaurant in the casinos, but I don't wanna be in the kitchen the rest of my life.

sparky98

RussS wrote: »

I was over 40 when I changed - been there 8 years and gone from$27K on trial to $48K + mileage for vehicle use. Still only A=, Net+ anmd a few MCPs.

Thanks Russ. You inspired me. I thought I'm too old to do things that I really love.

sparky98

W Stewart wrote: »

You probably won't be making close to what you make now starting out in IT but the level of knowledge you have going into IT can make a difference. I started out doing tech support for Dell making $12.50 an hour. Plenty of guys had been there for 4 and 5 years and never got a raise. I studied linux on my own and after a year and a half in IT I'm making $18/hour as a Jr admin. Another guy that started at Dell at the same time as me either had his Associates or was finishing it and his particular degree covered a lot of Windows server stuff. He also knew a whole lot about linux. He left Dell after 3 or 4 months and started doing contracts as a system admin making $40/hr. Dell was his first IT job. He was working as a security guard prior to that. That's a pretty big jump to make after only 3 or 4 months of professional experience but if you're knowledgeable enough it can be done. It wouldn't be the worst idea to make sure that you have a pretty good level of knowledge before making the jump from your current position. The inevitable paycut you'll take won't last as long if you have a solid level of knowledge.

Yes I won't be making close to what i make right now, but I think I can work two jobs, keep my current job and work part time on I.T to get experience. I will hve no problem working two jobs, I used to work two full time cook jobs for two years.

sparky98

Do you think I can get I.T position in Las Vegas area? Most position I see available are from staffing.

NotHackingYou

I would think that there is lots of room for IT in Vegas, especially with all the casinos. You can do it!