The Career Change To IT

So, I've been reading these forums for a couple of years now and have been a member for just about a year now. I'm here a lot because I enjoy the conversations and it gives me much needed breaks from studying or work while staying somewhat on topic. A very popular thread that pops up a lot, and not just on this forum, is the one where one wishes to chance careers. That career seems to fall into the very generalized category of "IT".

There are literally people from all walks of life and backgrounds making the change or at the very least, wanting to. Carpenters, Teachers, Lawyers, Medical Professionals, Accountants, and the list goes on. I'm also included in this list which is why I decided to pose this question. I come from an Architectural background and after 7 years decided to make the switch. Although, I constantly worked with software which is where my interest probably sparked.

So the question remains. Why do you think that is? Is it the promise of fame and riches? Are these individuals that perhaps tinkered with PC's when they were younger? Lets put it this way. Do you think it works the other way around? Are there droves of professionals migrating to to Accounting? Or Teaching? Are there Network Engineers that suddenly have an epiphany and decide to become a Lawyer? I find this topic fascinating to say the least.

For me it was simple. I was burned out and bored with Architectural Drafting. The financial ceiling was reached and I never felt respected. I was always the CAD monkey for the Architects. I also became friends with the local Systems Admin and became really interested in what he did. I was always interested in the latest tech gadget and loved overclocking and buying hardware for custom builds. Then, I found this great forum and started receiving direction. I also believe that IT is a field that, unlike others, can be studied from home. Virtualization, emulation and simulation just makes it more convenient. Well, fire away with the opinions everyone and thanks for reading.

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Everyone

In 13 years, I've only known 1 person that was wanted to leave IT for something else. He was never full time IT though, but he could be if he wanted to, smart kid. He's graduating from college in a few months here, and currently pursuing his dream of being a pilot. He isn't doing it for the money either, as he has no desire to be a commercial pilot.

Personally I don't understand people who change careers. Why would you start a career if it isn't what you really wanted to do? Why abandon it because of a bad experience? If I have a bad experience with a job, I'm not going to abandon my career because of it, I'm going to look for a better job at another company.

I suppose some of it may have to do with the desire to turn a hobby into a career. I like drag racing, but I couldn't see abandoning my IT career to try and become a full time race car driver. I have enjoyed woodworking, but I wouldn't try to change careers to become a carpenter either.

techdudehere

I know people who have left IT. The reason was money or just needed a change. Although there are some great paying IT jobs, there are a growing number of low paying jobs as the lower skilled positions are getting easier to fill. With the cost of education today, I think it's a fair question: What will IT wages be like in 20 years? I'm not sure, but I'm glad I'll be retired and with other concerns. Other occupations have issues too. I know two ladies with teaching degrees that moved on to other things because they could not find work after being laid off or could only find low paying private jobs with few benefits. Mostly, I would say the low skilled IT work is pretty bad. Driving around in your own vehicle barely making enough to cover gas, being lorded over by a ticket counter, etc, lol, but then other positions can be awesome.

ITboarder

I currently work in the semiconductor industry and, as you may already know, that industry is limited to only a few places to live and work. Unless you are willing to travel about 75% of the time. I've been interested in IT for a long time but have only become serious about moving to that for a career once I got my BS degree in 2010. Now I'm kind of bored with the whole fix semiconductor machines and dealing with unappreciative customers. I'm looking at either IT or to continue a similar job (my current field service one) in the healthcare industry because they both would enable me to have a better choice of where to work and live.

dave330i

Everyone wrote: »

Personally I don't understand people who change careers. Why would you start a career if it isn't what you really wanted to do? Why abandon it because of a bad experience? If I have a bad experience with a job, I'm not going to abandon my career because of it, I'm going to look for a better job at another company.

I can't move from D.C. area due to family obligation. There aren't many Mechanical Engineering positions in this area. Can't move + no job in the area = career switch.

Turgon

dave330i wrote: »

I can't move from D.C. area due to family obligation. There aren't many Mechanical Engineering positions in this area. Can't move + no job in the area = career switch.

This is one of the great unspoken truths. Can't move due to family obligations. We have them. A nomadic workforce going where the work is incurs financial and emotional costs to move, and leaves loved ones behind who can't follow them and need them to stay local. Stay and you will be. Move and they will suffer.

ChickenNuggetz

Great topic! Seeing as how I'm one of those "career switchers" as well, I guess I should chime in:

I graduated with a degree is Classics (ya know, Greek and Latin literature), did a small stint at a reputable graduate program, reading/translating/analyzing/writing for nearly 12 - 16 hours a day and absolutely hating life. I left and became a high school teacher and have been teaching Latin at the secondary level for 3 years now.

For me, all the studying/research/writing and now all the teaching/planning/grading feels like a chore and I dont find it rewarding or fulfilling in the least. I've always had a immense interest in technology and how it all worked. A friend of mine (who is in IT) mentioned networking. So about three months ago, I decided to take the plunge and give it a shot and read up on getting my first certification, just to see if this would be something that I could see myself doing.

I found myself reading and studying everyday, for hours on end, even the weekends too. Even after spending 8 hours with some bratty teenagers and dealing with "helicopter" parents, and idiot administrators, I found that I actually wanted to come home and study away. I built my first lab, broke it, and built it again. I would break it just to see how it would work and then pride myself when I made it work at full capacity again. For the first time in my life, I found myself legitimately enjoying what I was doing, and not only that, but I felt that I was pretty good at it. I read networking blogs, post on forums (like this one!), listen to networking podcasts; I've completely immersed myself in it and I absolutely love it. Never have I experienced this level of interest/commitment in anything.

Fast forward three months and I just passed my first certification (coming from zero knowledge) and can now say that I'm hooked. Even with the economy being in the state it is and the prospect of job hunting looming down the road, I have decided to not renew my teaching contract at the end of the year and will be making a jump over to IT. Sorry, if I got carried away with the long story; I guess I've never really expressed all this to anyone before

N2IT

djfunz wrote: »

So, I've been reading these forums for a couple of years now and have been a member for just about a year now. I'm here a lot because I enjoy the conversations and it gives me much needed breaks from studying or work while staying somewhat on topic. A very popular thread that pops up a lot, and not just on this forum, is the one where one wishes to chance careers. That career seems to fall into the very generalized category of "IT".

There are literally people from all walks of life and backgrounds making the change or at the very least, wanting to. Carpenters, Teachers, Lawyers, Medical Professionals, Accountants, and the list goes on. I'm also included in this list which is why I decided to pose this question. I come from an Architectural background and after 7 years decided to make the switch. Although, I constantly worked with software which is where my interest probably sparked.

So the question remains. Why do you think that is? Is it the promise of fame and riches? Are these individuals that perhaps tinkered with PC's when they were younger? Lets put it this way. Do you think it works the other way around? Are there droves of professionals migrating to to Accounting? Or Teaching? Are there Network Engineers that suddenly have an epiphany and decide to become a Lawyer? I find this topic fascinating to say the least.

For me it was simple. I was burned out and bored with Architectural Drafting. The financial ceiling was reached and I never felt respected. I was always the CAD monkey for the Architects. I also became friends with the local Systems Admin and became really interested in what he did. I was always interested in the latest tech gadget and loved overclocking and buying hardware for custom builds. Then, I found this great forum and started receiving direction. I also believe that IT is a field that, unlike others, can be studied from home. Virtualization, emulation and simulation just makes it more convenient. Well, fire away with the opinions everyone and thanks for reading.

It goes both ways. Several college mates back in 1999-2000 were practically given a networking job in a fortune 500 company, (one of their brothers was a VP at them time). Most of them stuck around for 2-3 years, one took off right away for another position. All of them ended up in either hybrid positions (IT/Business) or strictly business positions. Most of them did it for higher wages and management level position. Keith is now a VP of one of the largest hosting companies in the world, and Steve is a financial director at another top tier corp.

I went the opposite though. I went from HR to sales to IT. Go figure.......

One thing I can tell you sales paid a hell of a lot more than IT but it was a lot more stressful.

Bluedevil1945

Good to see another teacher interested in making the leap. I've been a government teacher for seven years and have a BS in Education and an MA in Political Science. I've since outgrown the classroom and am interested in making a leap to IT as it will offer career growth and new challenges. There is no-where for me to "grow" in my existing profession except to stick it out as a career classroom teacher. Something that I am not interested in doing for the next 23+ years. I've also approached "burn-out" dealing with all the assorted issues and baggage that comes with the current K-12 profession. SOL tests, parents, students, administrators, no funds, etc. etc. etc. I too have spoken with a friend in IT and am spurned on to learn more about it. I am currently looking at WGU MSISA program, Capitol College MS in IA, and UMUP MS in IA. While I am not a techie I also do not suffer from ID10T problems either. As a teacher I've learned to sink or swim and can learn and adapt quickly.

cxzar20

Everyone wrote: »

In 13 years, I've only known 1 person that was wanted to leave IT for something else. He was never full time IT though, but he could be if he wanted to, smart kid. He's graduating from college in a few months here, and currently pursuing his dream of being a pilot. He isn't doing it for the money either, as he has no desire to be a commercial pilot.

Personally I don't understand people who change careers. Why would you start a career if it isn't what you really wanted to do? Why abandon it because of a bad experience? If I have a bad experience with a job, I'm not going to abandon my career because of it, I'm going to look for a better job at another company.

I suppose some of it may have to do with the desire to turn a hobby into a career. I like drag racing, but I couldn't see abandoning my IT career to try and become a full time race car driver. I have enjoyed woodworking, but I wouldn't try to change careers to become a carpenter either.

I am one of those who changed careers. My first career and undergraduate degree was in accounting. I worked at one of the big four but I decided to change careers because of the job and the people. I had a few friends in IT and they were usually much easier going than my auditing co workers. Also, it just became boring. During the busy season it was 80 hour weeks full of the most boring and soul sucking work imaginable.

I made the leap to get my MS in computer science after a few years of that. I had taken a number of CS/IT courses in undergrad so I didn't have too many bridge courses to take. While I have always considered my job to only be a job I certainly enjoy this much more. Better people, better company, better job, better hours. I am not one of those people who will say that you need to love your job to make it in IT because that simply isn't true. The threat of poverty is a great motivator in your career.

Everyone

dave330i wrote: »

I can't move from D.C. area due to family obligation. There aren't many Mechanical Engineering positions in this area. Can't move + no job in the area = career switch.

That is certainly understandable.

bababooey1

I got my degree in Horticulture back in 91 so talk about a career change. In my mid 20's I started using computers for landscape design. At the same time my brother was getting into computers but more into tinkering and gaming. As my interest in computers grew I got sick of the seasonal aspect of landscape installs and the low pay and decided to go to night school for "computer electronics." I still miss the smell of the nursery and satisfaction of planning and installing large landscape jobs, but I still garden on weekends to get my fix.

djfunz

There are many factors in play as to why one would switch careers. Some are pushed or poorly guided by their parents or just opt for the path of least resistance. I had no real direction after high school. I took a CAD class my senior year in 2000 and thought it was pretty amazing what CAD software could do. I was soon after offered an "opportunity" to pursue a degree in Architectural Design. I said, "What the heck." They helped place me in a few entry level positions before graduating and 7 years later the economy fell apart and I ended up moving to Europe. While over here, I decided to pursue something I actually had fun doing. It's funny how one starts thinking clearer as one gets older. I'm motivated and determined and that's a winning combination.

I think there is very large population of those who settle for mediocrity and aren't happy with their career choice. The comfort zone is a very difficult area to break free from however especially as one ages. I still doubt though that there as many people switching from IT to something else as there are other professionals switching to IT. There just aren't many professions out there where one can study at home and be successful.

Freeguy

As a career switcher, here's my reasoning:

Graduated with a printing degree, and somehow landed a job in technical support for a digital print distributor. So this was helpdesk - but helpdesk for printing software, hardware, and so on. This led to being handling installations, web based trainings, testing of new products, and so on. Nice job, but limited. This company died a horrible immediate death due to the bank shutting us down just before Christmas, at which point I found out.... it's difficult to find a local job as a digital print technology specialist!!

Mercifully I found one, but I still didn't like the feeling of being nigh unmarketable. So I continue to delve into IT at my current job, and I'm working on my certifications. I'm swapping over because Networking is everywhere, and we are only becoming more and more connected in today's high speed world. It also has a career path, unlike my current role where I really can't advance any further. There's only so much you can know about printing... but networking seems to be nigh endless! The more I think I know, the more I find that I am clueless about. I love learning, so that suits me just fine.

djfunz

I read your other post Freeguy. I like your approach and mindset. I agree with you. Networking is a fascinating study. I passed my CCENT a couple weeks ago and I'm finding myself more and more addicted to it. I spend hours a day now learning and labbing because it's fun! I'm going to try the ICND2 before the end of March because I've progressed so quickly. There are many facets to IT and I also believe that's one of the reasons so many people migrate over from something else. Microsoft, VMware and Cisco can offer a lot in terms of things to learn. The hard part is breaking in somewhere you'll be given a chance. Keep plugging away and a door will open at some point.

jeepster78

My first degree was in IT and I also have several certs in the field and I'm almost finished with with a higher degree in a different field and can't wait to get out of IT. I have done network and server admin for a state facility for the last 5 years and I hate every aspect of it; coworkers and boss have no degree (makes mine pointless), all the crying over everything always slow or having issues, users thinking that anything with a cord should be maintained by IT.

I guess I'm an exception

BoneSpur

jeepster78 wrote: »

My first degree was in IT and I also have several certs in the field and I'm almost finished with with a higher degree in a different field and can't wait to get out of IT. I have done network and server admin for a state facility for the last 5 years and I hate every aspect of it; coworkers and boss have no degree (makes mine pointless), all the crying over everything always slow or having issues, users thinking that anything with a cord should be maintained by IT.

I guess I'm an exception

Yet, you post on an IT board. Hmmm. Sounds like wrong employer, not wrong field.

jeepster78

BoneSpur wrote: »

Yet, you post on an IT board. Hmmm. Sounds like wrong employer, not wrong field.

Yeah I keep hearing that a lot even from my family but I think i will be much happier in a professional field although I will always enjoy technology.

coffeeluvr

jeepster78 wrote: »

My first degree was in IT and I also have several certs in the field and I'm almost finished with with a higher degree in a different field and can't wait to get out of IT. I have done network and server admin for a state facility for the last 5 years and I hate every aspect of it; coworkers and boss have no degree (makes mine pointless), all the crying over everything always slow or having issues, users thinking that anything with a cord should be maintained by IT.

I guess I'm an exception

Jeepster, what field are you switching to? At least the knowledge you have in IT will benefit you in other areas.

jeepster78

Psychology

joshmadakor

jeepster78 wrote: »

Yeah I keep hearing that a lot even from my family but I think i will be much happier in a professional field although I will always enjoy technology.

Yeah, because IT isn't professional

Jinuyr

I started out in IT about 11 years ago and did that for about 7 years before I decided to get a degree in Culinary Arts and become a chef. After 3.5 years of doing something exciting and different, I was called back into IT for a hotel that was opening in another state.

Going into Culinary, I had a much greater respect for the product I handled since most of what we did in IT costs way more than anything you would put on a plate. If you thought about every piece of fish or beef that you fabricated as a switch or server then the way you would treat it would suddenly be different. In addition to that, the background in IT helped me to see things and prepare for things that most people don't consider in the culinary field. Most people think that once you finish a meal then that's it, they don't realize the planning required for the next day or the next week. IT Project Management helped to keep those goals in check.

Moving back into IT, I learned how to react to changes a lot better and to pressure a lot more efficiently. There are times when we run into emergencies, sure. Though for the day to day, we may not react to it in the same way. Culinary sees that differently as well. Just like working in a line, all tickets have a time before they are complete and you want everyone's food to come up at the same time for that table. When you apply it to IT, you want your users to feel the same level of expedient service, not just your clients or your bosses.

My two cents. (=

techdudehere

I have pretty much always worked in IT, so I may have a naive view of other fields. However, some of the more mature professional career tracks seem much better when comparing benefits and I expect things to rapidly get worse. Right now places like MSPs don't care if you have graduate degrees and such, they just need bodies. However, once the market gets flooded with people desperately trying to increase pay by resume bloating, what will happen is the expectations for the same positions will go up in response rather than the pay going up. Technology needs will keep us employed, but I wonder how many of us will start to realize that for all the frantic learning we do, we could probably be considered experts in other fields. With the cost of living and education on the rise, I personally would not want to get too invested in IT degrees. I decided not to pursue a Masters until I can find an employer that will pay. I could not imagine being 60+ and working at an MSP lol I've often wondered if there are any countries where I could obtain a degree at lower cost. For example, could one get training to become a dentist in India and then just pass some professional requirement in the US?

baseball1988

IT is a good field if you specialize in a specific area. Initially, I was really interested in IT and worked in a help desk role. For me, I hated the customer service portion because I didn't get a lot of respect from customers & internal employees. I got burned out after working in help desk for 2 years and lost interest (high stress, on call schedule, micromanaged, everything is recoded (phone calls) and almost no privacy. I know it varies from company to company. However, almost any entry level IT role is like this. I didn't see myself in IT (the "support" roles). I don't want people calling me in the middle of the night. I DID however learn a lot working in IT help desk (how to react to unpredictable situations, how to talk to customers, etc). I just didn't have a positive experience and it was a personal choice to get into something else. Now, I am working in software development and it feels a lot better from my opinion - 9-5 kind of job and no customer interaction.

techdudehere

Why were you on call for a help desk role? That sounds like the worst of both worlds. When I've done help desk, I was not on call. To be honest, I'd probably find a different job if I had to be on call more than once or twice a year. You're absolutely right about support roles not being respected, though. Sometimes you do get nice people, but in general the perception is that support is there to take abuse lol Internal support is a little better because they know they have to deal with you. However, sometimes the managers will jump in and start making demands. Sorry but if the ticket is going to break SLA and another ticket might make it, I'm going to go for the one that still has a chance regardless of what some manager thinks. They usually don't have anywhere near as much pull as they imagine. On the other hand, a lady who is nice to me will probably continue to get help even if it's not in my best interest. There was one small company that wanted me to check voice mail in the evenings, I think one week a month. I found a different position right away, though. We were paid extra for any work performed, but it was still annoying. I look at it like this, if someone wants me available 24/7, then pay me while I am sleeping, too!

NetworkingStudent

djfunz wrote: »

So, I've been reading these forums for a couple of years now and have been a member for just about a year now. I'm here a lot because I enjoy the conversations and it gives me much needed breaks from studying or work while staying somewhat on topic. A very popular thread that pops up a lot, and not just on this forum, is the one where one wishes to chance careers. That career seems to fall into the very generalized category of "IT".

There are literally people from all walks of life and backgrounds making the change or at the very least, wanting to. Carpenters, Teachers, Lawyers, Medical Professionals, Accountants, and the list goes on. I'm also included in this list which is why I decided to pose this question. I come from an Architectural background and after 7 years decided to make the switch. Although, I constantly worked with software which is where my interest probably sparked.

So the question remains. Why do you think that is? Is it the promise of fame and riches? Are these individuals that perhaps tinkered with PC's when they were younger? Lets put it this way. Do you think it works the other way around? Are there droves of professionals migrating to to Accounting? Or Teaching? Are there Network Engineers that suddenly have an epiphany and decide to become a Lawyer? I find this topic fascinating to say the least.

For me it was simple. I was burned out and bored with Architectural Drafting. The financial ceiling was reached and I never felt respected. I was always the CAD monkey for the Architects. I also became friends with the local Systems Admin and became really interested in what he did. I was always interested in the latest tech gadget and loved overclocking and buying hardware for custom builds. Then, I found this great forum and started receiving direction. I also believe that IT is a field that, unlike others, can be studied from home. Virtualization, emulation and simulation just makes it more convenient. Well, fire away with the opinions everyone and thanks for reading.

‘Why IT?

I have always had an interest in computers growing up, but it took me time to find this passion. At an early age, I went to college, but I took classes here and there; however, I never had any real direction. I would pass some classes and fail others. When I failed a Cisco networking course and found out I couldn’t take the next series of the networking classes(due to scoring low on the test), that’s when I hit rock bottom. I took some time off of college and worked various jobs. I just wanted to make money at this point in my life. I worked in retail, a grocery store, and currently at a printer. I just think I was always trying to find myself.

I want to do something I'm passionate about. I don’t want to just to show up to get a paycheck. My current job (printing) is unchallenging, sure it pays the bills, but it’s physically demanding and I never found anyone at my work that loves their job. Most people stay, because the pay is pretty good. I want to work in IT, because you are always learning something new, and every day could present a new challenge. After my divorce I went back to school to get my A.A.S degree in IT and I pursued my A+, Net+, and Sec+. Now I’m currently looking for my first IT job.

NetworkingStudent

Jinuyr wrote: »

I started out in IT about 11 years ago and did that for about 7 years before I decided to get a degree in Culinary Arts and become a chef. After 3.5 years of doing something exciting and different, I was called back into IT for a hotel that was opening in another state.

Going into Culinary, I had a much greater respect for the product I handled since most of what we did in IT costs way more than anything you would put on a plate. If you thought about every piece of fish or beef that you fabricated as a switch or server then the way you would treat it would suddenly be different. In addition to that, the background in IT helped me to see things and prepare for things that most people don't consider in the culinary field. Most people think that once you finish a meal then that's it, they don't realize the planning required for the next day or the next week. IT Project Management helped to keep those goals in check.

Moving back into IT, I learned how to react to changes a lot better and to pressure a lot more efficiently. There are times when we run into emergencies, sure. Though for the day to day, we may not react to it in the same way. Culinary sees that differently as well. Just like working in a line, all tickets have a time before they are complete and you want everyone's food to come up at the same time for that table. When you apply it to IT, you want your users to feel the same level of expedient service, not just your clients or your bosses.

My two cents. (=

I don’t want to go into culinary, but I think it would be fun to go to school and learn how to cook like that.
What’s more stressful, in your opinion..IT or Culinary?

I have noticed a trend that the career changers that work in the food service industry , can transfer their customer service skills into a IT position/role. I have even seen IT job postings that mention they’re looking for candidates that have food service or customer service experience.