hannukah harry

so i'm thinking about changing careers (not that i really have one right now) and going into the IT/tech field. does anyone have an idea about what i need to know to get an entry level job? how long do you think it would take to learn it? (i pick up things very quickly.) any good websites on careers in the field, stuff to know?

i haven't done anythign with computers in around 5 years and don't even know where to begin anymore.

thanks!

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Anexkahn

its pretty close to 50/50 on what employers are looking for in their IT staff... the old line of thinking was to hire people who had schooling and certifications (MCSE, etc). Now the trend is shifting slowly to looking at people with real world experience, documented personal development and knowledge (portfolio type of experience) instead of hiring only people who have been indoctrinated with the blessing of good 'ole M$.

If you're looking for an immediate jump, help desking is a good idea. it definitely entry level and can be pretty shitty hours / pay, but it is a good place to work up from and get exposure to current issues and get "up to speed" on the IT issues of today.

If you're looking to move slowly and land a good job higher up initially, pretty much 2 options... take classes or start documenting self learning and get some hands on experience. Even a basic portfolio of setting up a home network with active directory, server2k3 and exchange out of cheap-o fixer up ebayed machines could be an impressive start to landing a very decent IT job.

Glory's Sun

My advice is not even enter that field. It's completely flooded. Jobs are being cut left and right because there just isn't enough room for everyone.

sailor

Ditto. Most places are looking for 5+ years of realworld experience anyways, and that market is completely flooded by the people coming back after the recession. Tech, despite the upward-moving economy, is not exactly a great sector to be in right now.

Basically, there are tens of thousands of people with tons of experience also looking for that job that you have no experience with. The best you could hope for is a helpdesk job, and let me tell you from experience--you don't want to do that.

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Redjake

Do not, and I repeat DO NOT move into IT. As my professor said,

"6 years ago, there were 5 IT jobs per IT major - now there are 5 IT majors per IT job"

I am a graduating (6 days) IT major and I still haven't found an IT job. I finally found a management job at my future employer (starts June 27th). I HIGHLY recommend staying out of IT. SAILOR has it right - everyone wants experience, and recent graduates have 0 relevant experience. Stay out of IT. The market is TERRIBLE.

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Lasereth

I'm graduating in a week with a degree in CIS and I haven't found shit. Every single employer wants 2-5 years of experience or a dozen certifications. I have very good credentials (4th or 5th in my entire major class rank) with a 3.96 major GPA and they just don't care. They want experience or they want you to stop wasting their time. I'd stay away from CIS/IT.

PS: anyone know of any good IT job finders?

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hannukah harry

thanks for the advice everyone. i'm not going to be going into IT. partly because of what you have all said, partly because as i've thought more about it i find it just isn't something that interests me enough to really study it, learn it, live it. now to find something else...

thanks again!

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ASU2003

It took me 10 moths to find my first programming job after graduating with a computer engineeering degree. True, I didn't look very hard, and the people I work for called me at 7 in the morning one day to ask if I was interested in working for them. But, I have been working here for 2 years to the day now.

If, I had it all to do over again, I'm not sure if I would make the same choices. It's not a bad job, but there would have been others that may be better. I know in college if I was a business major, I would have had a much better time...

slushi999

I saw go what your heart tells you and where your passion lies! If you want something pretty bad, you will get it but you got to be really good at it! Im in IT and I didnt let the IT bust discourage me at all and I have a very decent job now. Go for your certs, companies are still hiring.

catback

If your heart is really in it you can open a fish bait and tackle shop in the middle of the desert. Not exactly gonna get anywhere but if you love it you'll be happy. Same applies to IT, the field is too flooded to get in it just for the money.

aa1037

Try looking for IT jobs in non IT companies, first and foremost. Finance, for one, is spending tons of money right now for SOX compliance.

Are jobs getting offshored or outsourced? Yeah, but try to focus on areas that are hard to be done off site - network management / design, systems analysis, etc.

In any case, if you have the drive, you should be able to impress anyone. We all know this IT stuff can be learned - employers look for leadership, ability to work within a team, and those who take initiative.

I will be interning at a major financial company in downtown Manhattan this summer in their core tech group. I am going into it with the idea that I am definitely going to land that job before I return to school as a senior.

A little about my background: IT major at a pretty top university. Only holding about a 3.39 GPA at the moment, but I've gone out and got a bunch of good real world experience - working for my school's student computing support department (and got a promotion to a management role), did some independent web development, etc. As previously stated, you may not know everything, but you need to show your drive to work and learn.

Hopefully, I'll be returning to this thread (or make a new one), if I get that job offer at the end of the summer.

eribrav

If you enjoy science and technology, consider training as a Radiology technician. You'll learn some physics, work with high tech equipment, and jobs are going begging for applicants.

Ample

Aint that the truth. I graduated last week, and there is nothing out there for entry level, unless I want to take a 10k paycut. I dont know... MBA lookin' like a pretty good path right now.

Nisses

how do you take a 10k paycut if you haven't had a job before?

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snowy

My SO's mom is an RT, and she makes bank, even just working casually. Definitely something worth looking at.

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thingstodo

hannukah harry ...

You might look into a book called "Now, Discover Your Strengths." It has a pretty useful on-line test you take after reading just 75 pages. YOu'll need your own copy as the book jacket has a unique code you'll need for the test. That may be a big aid in figuring out what you want to do.

Trust me...you'll be surprised and pleased.

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Jove

I graduated several years ago from Central Michigan University and it took me 9 months to find an entry level I.T. Technician position at a nursing home. I interviewed all over the place, but they always sent a letter saying they were impressed with my skills, but went with someone else because they had more experience.

Now that I have a steady job, I have been studying to get several certifications, and right now I have obtained my A+, CIW Foundations, and CIW Site Design. Currently I am studying for my Network+ then possibly studying the MCSE.

Robaggio

The IT market is definatly not terrible, just certain parts of it. In fact, lots of areas are hurting for more people to fill jobs. Software Engineering and Systems Analysis are in unbelievably high demand right now, and rising. Within the next two years web development will experience a boom as there are a number of technologies that are beginning to come full circle as of late.

Unlike 5 years ago, you cannot make due with a generic or umbrella job description such as "IT" or "Programmer". Technology is much more fragmented and specialized than it used to be. I recommend choosing an area and completely immersing yourself in it. College is not neccesary, but experience is. Start out in a help desk position, but go home and produce amazing "hobby" work in your spare time. Completed Projects > Work Experience > Degree