Career Exercise Science --> IT

I will try to structure my questions, background, and plans in the most efficient manner for those reading this:

Background
I received a BS in Exercise Science from the University of New Hampshire (2010). Prior to this, I completed a two year computer electronics program in high school (2005-2006). This program included 500+ hours of classroom and practical experience, mostly related to the A+ certification. I was very interested in both Exercise Science and Computer Science, but decided on the former. After 3-4 years in the fitness field, I have realized that I do not find it rewarding, at least in a full-time capacity. Long hours, unappreciative clients, road blocks to working with high risk clients, and no barrier to entry are just a few reasons why I have lost my interest.

In addition to the aforementioned computer electronics class, I have completed a variety of projects on my own time. I have been making websites for nearly a decade on and off. This included html, CSS, and basic graphics editing. I have also dabbled in PHP. More recently, I have started to teach myself Python. For a few years I used a Linux desktop and I am currently playing around with a CentOS box on my home network including installation/configuration of Apache, SSH, iptables, and trying to work my way through Samba. Clearly this experience is nothing to write home about, but I want to be clear that I have a legitimate interest, and some knowledge.

My Plan
I am really interested in system administration and security. Programming seems interesting, but I don't think I could handle it on a full-time basis. My goal is to complete the CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications in the next 3 months. I have been studying for the A+ for about a week and a half now and I'm nearly 450 pages in (of ~1000). This is mostly review, but things have changed since I took the computer electronics class 7-8 years ago. After completing the CompTIA certifications, I am considering LPIC-1 or Windows Server. My timeline for this will likely be somewhere around a year, but sooner if I find a job where it would be beneficial, or be covered by my employer. During this time, I also intend to teach myself Python and basic shell scripting. I will be practicing everything I learn on my box at home.

In addition to these certifications, I found a degree from UMass Lowell that confers a second Bachelor's degree in Information Technology for only 30 credits (10 courses). This is a very flexible degree. The courses I'm particularly interested in include: C programming, Linux/Unix System Administration, Network Security, and TCP/IP and Network Architecture just to name a few. I'll also keep my eyes out for some courses to expose me to database management. I would basically get to choose eight electives. I know that I might not learn as much as in a CS degree, but I can complete it in 2-2.5 years part-time for ~$10-12k. This will all be supplemented with learning on my own time. Thinking ahead, I might consider an MS in CS and do prerequisites at a community college (Calculus and other math courses).

Lastly, I will be looking for an entry level position during all of this. Something like a help desk position, but hopefully somewhere where I can get some server exposure as well.

My Questions

1. Should I learn Windows Server first? Is it possible to be well versed in Windows and Linux operating systems, or do most Systems Administrators go one route or the other? I was thinking that Windows might be easier to learn and get a job in initially (during school).

2. What other skills would be beneficial for a Systems Administrator? Did I miss anything obvious? From my understanding, having a decent grasp of C, Python, and shell scripting would serve me well.

3. Any advice on finding entry level positions with just the A+ and Network+ certifications, but no considerable experience? I've been searching for an internship to get in the door, but I also currently work 50+ hours a week.

4. Do you think the UMass Lowell IT degree would be sufficient to lead to a Systems Administrator position, given the certifications mentioned (in addition to others)?

5. Does this all seem like a reasonable plan? Any additional advice?

Thank you in advance,

Steve

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Comments

datacomboss

Learn Windows first as it is easier to learn and master. Some of the tasks you need to know include active directory, DNS, Hyper-V, remote desktop/terminal services, DHCP, PowerShell scripting, group policy, security - file, folder, user, group, managing event logs, disk and volume management and backup.

I would suggest trying to get a job in one of the computer labs at your university. The pay will suck but you will at least get verifiable experience. I went from no experience to school computer lab to robotics lab to Certified Novell Administrator and being an admin/engineer/consultant in 9 months.

SteveFT

Thank you for the reply. As much as I really like Linux, I figured that most places won't have a junior administrator working on Linux boxes.

I can look into the computer labs, but the degree I am looking at is actually offered 100% online. I will have the option to take courses on campus. I will have to see if I am eligible for work study, as I'm guessing that it might be one of the easier doors into working at the computer lab. I'm happy to see the progress that you have made. Were there any certifications that you did during this time that contributed to this?

datacomboss

Certified Novell Administrator (CNA) was the cert I got initially before becoming a Certified Novell Engineer. Today, I would go for Cisco and VMware and maybe some enterprise storage i.e. EMC/NetApp. All of which have programs offered at community colleges throughout the country.

Whether the classes are online or not should not matter in respects to work-study. You should visit the campus HR as well as the student employment office.

minit

Long hours, unappreciative clients, road blocks to working with high risk clients, and no barrier to entry are just a few reasons why I have lost my interest.

Sounds a lot like an IT job.

Seriously though, if you're looking for a job with a standard 9-5 work week, you may want to look somewhere other then IT.

SteveFT

Do you mean from the sense of working longer hours, or odd hours? In the fitness field you need to be available between 5-10am and 5-9pm to really maximize your income. Perhaps I am mistaken, but I'm guessing that most IT-related jobs don't have their day tied up from 5:00-21:00. You have the middle of your day available, but that isn't helpful when future responsibilities will be placed in that 5-9pm time frame. I also don't have any problem with being on call.

Unfortunately it seems like the average 9-5 is designated to QA/test positions? I've always wondered about job security in that particular position as well...

minit

In IT you can end up working both long and odd hours. You'll end up working some weekends, and possibly holidays to perform upgrades. Most days aren't tied up between 5:00-21:00. However if you are on-call that is a 24x7 responsibility, which tethers you to your job. On the other hand most IT dept.'s rotate the on-call. So, if the dept. is big enough you may only have to be on-call a few times a year. It still sucks though.

With your degree in exercise science, have you considered a DPT in Physical Therapy, or a Masters in Occupational Therapy? The pay is very good, job prospects are good, and those are mostly 9-5 gigs. The only issue is the high tuition.

Don't mean to sound like I'm trying to discourage you. IT is a good career, it's just very demanding on your time.

I'll try to answer some of your questions.

1. Should I learn Windows Server first? Is it possible to be well versed in Windows and Linux operating systems, or do most Systems Administrators go one route or the other? I was thinking that Windows might be easier to learn and get a job in initially (during school).

I would learn Windows first simply because their are more jobs in Windows. You can certainly learn them both though, and then persue a career in the one you like the most. Having a mix of experience in each can be beneficial as we are all wearing more and more hats these days.

2. What other skills would be beneficial for a Systems Administrator? Did I miss anything obvious? From my understanding, having a decent grasp of C, Python, and shell scripting would serve me well.

If going the Windows route I would learn Powershell. I rarely see the need to know C, or Python for a Windows admin job. Shell/batch scripting would be helpful too in some cases.

3. Any advice on finding entry level positions with just the A+ and Network+ certifications, but no considerable experience? I've been searching for an internship to get in the door, but I also currently work 50+ hours a week.

This is going to depend on your current income needs. You can definitely get a help desk job with little to no experience with A+, Net+. You even have a Bachelors degree, even though its unrelated, it will still help. I would find an entry level IT job. Once you get hired, leave the exercise job. It'll be near impossible to do both.

4. Do you think the UMass Lowell IT degree would be sufficient to lead to a Systems Administrator position, given the certifications mentioned (in addition to others)?

I would actually forgo this for now. This degree alone will not get you an admin job without experience. I would do the following.

Get the following certs: A+, Net+, MCSA:Windows 7

You'll be able to complete these certs while still working your exercise job. Once you are nearing completion of the MCSA start sending out resumes. Apply for help desk, pc tech, and desktop support roles. Have friends or family in IT? Let EVERYONE know what you are working on doing. You never know who may be able to get you an interview somewhere. Again, although your bachelors is unrelated it still shows you committed your time to gain a rounded education, and followed through. The barrier to entry in IT is quite low. I'd say even lower then the occupation you are in now.

5. Does this all seem like a reasonable plan? Any additional advice?

In review I would:

1. Skip the second bachelors at UMass.
2. Get the A+ and Net+.
3. Tell everyone you know that you are working on switching careers to IT in general conversation. Get the word out!
4. Study for the MCSA:Windows 7. If you like Linux study that as well. It won't hurt to get a Linux cert at some point as well.
5. To conserve brain power and sanity wait on study the scripting langueges that are helpful with admin jobs. You will most likely
not need them when you get your first help desk/desktop role.
6. After you have landed your first help desk/desktop role: Study and pass the MCSA/MCSE server certs. Study PowerShell & Your favorite scripting language that can be used in a Windows admin role.
7. After 2+ years of experience at the help desk/desktop role and after acquiring the MS server certs start seeking Jr. level admin jobs.

Alternative:

Go back to school for DPT of Physical Therapy or Masters in Occupational Therapy.

Hope that was in some way helpful!

Qord

Are you still in NH? Both UNH and Dartmouth have several openings that might be worth investigating.
https://jobs.usnh.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/Welcome_css.jsp
https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/search

petedude

To add to what minit said:

8. Work two years, add certs, etc. Get a promotion or two after that, even if that means moving between jobs.
9. Go for a Master's in an IT related field AFTER (cannot stress enough), after you have been in the field a few years and have garnered enough certs. Another bachelor's would be a waste at this point.

SteveFT

minit wrote: »

In IT you can end up working both long and odd hours. You'll end up working some weekends, and possibly holidays to perform upgrades. Most days aren't tied up between 5:00-21:00. However if you are on-call that is a 24x7 responsibility, which tethers you to your job. On the other hand most IT dept.'s rotate the on-call. So, if the dept. is big enough you may only have to be on-call a few times a year. It still sucks though.

With your degree in exercise science, have you considered a DPT in Physical Therapy, or a Masters in Occupational Therapy? The pay is very good, job prospects are good, and those are mostly 9-5 gigs. The only issue is the high tuition.

Don't mean to sound like I'm trying to discourage you. IT is a good career, it's just very demanding on your time.

I'll try to answer some of your questions.

I would learn Windows first simply because their are more jobs in Windows. You can certainly learn them both though, and then persue a career in the one you like the most. Having a mix of experience in each can be beneficial as we are all wearing more and more hats these days.

If going the Windows route I would learn Powershell. I rarely see the need to know C, or Python for a Windows admin job. Shell/batch scripting would be helpful too in some cases.

This is going to depend on your current income needs. You can definitely get a help desk job with little to no experience with A+, Net+. You even have a Bachelors degree, even though its unrelated, it will still help. I would find an entry level IT job. Once you get hired, leave the exercise job. It'll be near impossible to do both.

I would actually forgo this for now. This degree alone will not get you an admin job without experience. I would do the following.

Get the following certs: A+, Net+, MCSA:Windows 7

You'll be able to complete these certs while still working your exercise job. Once you are nearing completion of the MCSA start sending out resumes. Apply for help desk, pc tech, and desktop support roles. Have friends or family in IT? Let EVERYONE know what you are working on doing. You never know who may be able to get you an interview somewhere. Again, although your bachelors is unrelated it still shows you committed your time to gain a rounded education, and followed through. The barrier to entry in IT is quite low. I'd say even lower then the occupation you are in now.

In review I would:

1. Skip the second bachelors at UMass.
2. Get the A+ and Net+.
3. Tell everyone you know that you are working on switching careers to IT in general conversation. Get the word out!
4. Study for the MCSA:Windows 7. If you like Linux study that as well. It won't hurt to get a Linux cert at some point as well.
5. To conserve brain power and sanity wait on study the scripting langueges that are helpful with admin jobs. You will most likely
not need them when you get your first help desk/desktop role.
6. After you have landed your first help desk/desktop role: Study and pass the MCSA/MCSE server certs. Study PowerShell & Your favorite scripting language that can be used in a Windows admin role.
7. After 2+ years of experience at the help desk/desktop role and after acquiring the MS server certs start seeking Jr. level admin jobs.

Alternative:

Go back to school for DPT of Physical Therapy or Masters in Occupational Therapy.

Hope that was in some way helpful!

Thank you for the detailed response. I understand that many jobs at 24x7 on call and that really doesn't bother me. I do enjoy going away on weekend trips, but if I was in a medium-sized department that only required me to be on call once every 3-4 weeks, that would work for me. I am currently working 6-7 days per week, so I cannot imagine that most roles would require more time than I am currently working.

I've spent the last year and a half working as a rehabilitation aide at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. This has definitely given me enough time to figure out that I am not interested in pursuing those two career paths, although they are great careers. I am really just burned out on the health field as a whole.

I will look for a help desk or basic support role as you suggested. I will add the MSCA/MSCE certifications to my list as well. To be honest, I find Linux more interesting. I've always been drawn to doing what everyone else wasn't. I've also seen people suggest that the salaries are higher. That being said, I know that there seems to be fewer Linux jobs in the Boston-area. So, I figured it would be beneficial to know both operating systems and move into a Linux role when the time is right.

While I appreciate your opinion, I have also received quite a bit of feedback from others saying to go for the BSIT from UML to make sure that I am not disqualified from positions due to the lack of paper. Even if I take 1-2 courses at a time, I will be done in 2-3 years. Some of the courses in the Fall include: Intro to Unix/Linux, Shell Scripting, Intro to Information Security, Survey of Perl/Python/PHP, and Intro to C. While I have said I'm interested in Systems Admin, I am also interested in programming beyond the skills necessary for sysadmin. I have a number of projects that I would be interested in doing on the side as self study. To that end, I am definitely interested in learning at least Python and C regardless of whether I work with Linux now or later.

Thank you very much and that post was very helpful. You made me realize that I will likely learn quite a bit on the job and I can worry about more advanced coursework in a Master's program.

SteveFT

Qord wrote: »

Are you still in NH? Both UNH and Dartmouth have several openings that might be worth investigating.
https://jobs.usnh.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/Welcome_css.jsp
https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/search

I am and I will check them out, but I might be better off looking in the Boston-area. I'm in Salem, NH, Boston is actually a bit closer than UNH, and considerably closer than Dartmouth. Thank you for the links.

minit

Hey no problem! In the end you should follow what makes you happy. Speaking from experience no level of salary will give you true contentment and happiness in life. In the end, pursue which avenue you like most, whether that be windows, linux, programming or anything else.

SteveFT

petedude wrote: »

To add to what minit said:

8. Work two years, add certs, etc. Get a promotion or two after that, even if that means moving between jobs.
9. Go for a Master's in an IT related field AFTER (cannot stress enough), after you have been in the field a few years and have garnered enough certs. Another bachelor's would be a waste at this point.

Is there any specific reason you think it would be a waste? I was going to work full-time for 2-3 years, hopefully in help desk and junior system administration jobs. During this time, I can complete the 30 credit BSIT. I understand what you mean in terms of another BS being a waste if I still had no experience. My father is an Electronics Engineer (Director-level) and seems to think that not having the degree might leave a lot of doors closed. My resume could essentially be thrown out simply because I don't have a relevant BS. Likewise for entrance into MS programs.

Thank you for your insight and opinions.

minit

I think the point is that there are many low level openings that only require a high school diploma and a few certs (A+, Net+, etc.) Would a BS in IT help? Sure it wouldn't hurt. If you can manage the 30 credits while working full time I suppose it would be ok. I'm just thinking about the return on investment here. After 2-3 years it will be your experience that matters more then the actual degree, imho. With that said a BS in IT would also give your resume a small boost for future positions I suppose. But, I still don't think its required for an admin position in the future.

SteveFT

Just wanted to post a quick update that might be helpful for those breaking into IT. It has been a little over 4 months since I made the decision to switch careers. Today will be the end of my second week at my first IT job (help desk). This is a contract position that started off at 24 hours per week, but they have already increased my hours to 40 per week. Overall, I'm very happy with the position. I am doing a lot of imaging, setting up new hires, and handling as much of the walk-in traffic as I can.

I found the job through a friend. We have all heard this before, but knowing somebody helps a lot. Beyond that, my A+ and Network+ certifications were likely looked at favorably. Unfortunately, no certification can truly prepare you for work in the IT field. However, the A+, Network+, and Security+ (taking test after things slow down) did prepare me for the basics of understanding the IT world.

Next on the horizon is finish Security+ and then start studying for 70-640 (Active Directory). I can see my job requiring more knowledge in AD in the future. I'm only at the company for a 6 month contract as well, so having some experience and the AD test completed might help me land the next one.

Thank you all for your help.

Steve