IT job hunt - help

Chadillacz

Hello everyone. New to the forum but have read plenty of posts. I am currently in school trying to obtain my AAS in computer technology. I don't currently have any certs but feel I can pass A+ and an studying for more such as Net+, Microsoft, Cisco, ect on the side. I'm currently 27 with two kids into this equation.

My current hold up is I have a job now doing Ebusiness and member experience role. It pays ok for now, but my heart lies in IT, not answering calls non stop for customers and handing emails and cases on the side. The current company help desk opens rarely. I do have some past IT experience, but a lot of this is self taught, used in a small business, or tinkering at home for family and friends. I've been raised around computers and pick it up or trial and error enough to figure it out.

I recently started looking around and have not had huge success. Most recently have an offer for an entry service desk but, at about a $2.00 pay cut from my current job. Tempting for the experience, but is this a bad idea? Should I be more focused on getting certified and going from there? I don't want to make the wrong choice as my first major move to IT, but I am really struggling here.

Any questions, guidance, tips, feedback, greatly needed from people who started in this path.

kohr-ah

I feel you as I was 27 when I broke into IT and was going through all the same minus the two kids. (though I have one now and trying for the other)

My opinion? Get that cert. Get your A+ and heck if you wanna do Cisco possibly your ccent or if you want to do systems get your win 7 cert then apply. At least justify to the same as what you make now.

Or. Tell the people when you negotiate pay that you want what you make now. What is the worst they will say. No?

But the certs will help a lot getting the foot in the door a bit easier. And no matter what keep your chin up and keep applying.