New career in IT
Hi everyone
For the last year and a half I've been doing a professional job which I hate.
I hate getting up in the morning and live in a constant fear and hatred of doing that job.
I only decided on this career path because I didn't know what else to do and it was a respectable career (stupid, I know).
I want to leave this career and have always loved computers, IT and programming.
I have no qualifications whatsoever (apart from GCSE ICT!) but a great enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
Is there any hope of getting into IT without qualifications? I know 'IT' is vague but really anything that is stimulating.
For the last year and a half I've been doing a professional job which I hate.
I hate getting up in the morning and live in a constant fear and hatred of doing that job.
I only decided on this career path because I didn't know what else to do and it was a respectable career (stupid, I know).
I want to leave this career and have always loved computers, IT and programming.
I have no qualifications whatsoever (apart from GCSE ICT!) but a great enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
Is there any hope of getting into IT without qualifications? I know 'IT' is vague but really anything that is stimulating.
Original post by beepbeeprichie
Hi everyone
For the last year and a half I've been doing a professional job which I hate.
I hate getting up in the morning and live in a constant fear and hatred of doing that job.
I only decided on this career path because I didn't know what else to do and it was a respectable career (stupid, I know).
I want to leave this career and have always loved computers, IT and programming.
I have no qualifications whatsoever (apart from GCSE ICT!) but a great enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
Is there any hope of getting into IT without qualifications? I know 'IT' is vague but really anything that is stimulating.
For the last year and a half I've been doing a professional job which I hate.
I hate getting up in the morning and live in a constant fear and hatred of doing that job.
I only decided on this career path because I didn't know what else to do and it was a respectable career (stupid, I know).
I want to leave this career and have always loved computers, IT and programming.
I have no qualifications whatsoever (apart from GCSE ICT!) but a great enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
Is there any hope of getting into IT without qualifications? I know 'IT' is vague but really anything that is stimulating.
It is a tough one. Yes, it is possible to get into programming jobs without a degree but if starting from scratch, realistically you aren't going to be able to achieve something like that for a few years at best.
If you do plan to get into programming, you need to start reading around the subject. http://www.joelonsoftware.com for example is an excellent read at issues of the business. It is then down to you to choose which direction you want to go in. If it is programming, you need to choose a language and then start programming in it. But the art of being a competent programmer doesn't end there. Reading up on the principals of software engineering, compilers, operating systems, hardware, etc etc is useful to learn too. And then of course there are those technical subjects around programming like UNICODE, multi-threading, UI design and so on. All this studying is going to happen in your spare time when you aren't doing your hatred job and I can tell you from experience that this is really hard.
A softer option would be to start writing apps for mobiles or websites because at least you can build up a portfolio and they are slightly more lightweight than writing a full blown app for Windows or Linux.
However, if it all that seems rather daunting (and it is) perhaps looking at doing a degree or evening college course might be a better approach?
If you do plan to get into programming, you need to start reading around the subject. http://www.joelonsoftware.com for example is an excellent read at issues of the business. It is then down to you to choose which direction you want to go in. If it is programming, you need to choose a language and then start programming in it. But the art of being a competent programmer doesn't end there. Reading up on the principals of software engineering, compilers, operating systems, hardware, etc etc is useful to learn too. And then of course there are those technical subjects around programming like UNICODE, multi-threading, UI design and so on. All this studying is going to happen in your spare time when you aren't doing your hatred job and I can tell you from experience that this is really hard.
A softer option would be to start writing apps for mobiles or websites because at least you can build up a portfolio and they are slightly more lightweight than writing a full blown app for Windows or Linux.
However, if it all that seems rather daunting (and it is) perhaps looking at doing a degree or evening college course might be a better approach?
I've personally been in your shoes Richie. I graduated with a Quantity Surveying degree a few years ago, struggled both in interest and in luck to find a job. Was always into computers so I did a few courses to get my foot in the door with tech support and now I'm in Infrastructure 2 years later. In my experience, there's a few paths that I think is up and coming. IT Security, DevOps/Cloud Services and Mobile/App Dev. One thing I would say is don't go into it if its just for the money. Whilst there is money and jobs in the industry, you can easily tell people who genuinely enjoy computers from ones that chased the money. If you enjoy working with computers, go to cbtnuggets.com and find something that interests you. I got a Comptia A+ in 2 months, Windows 7 a few months after that and that was enough to get an opportunity.
Original post by mgeo88
I've personally been in your shoes Richie. I graduated with a Quantity Surveying degree a few years ago, struggled both in interest and in luck to find a job. Was always into computers so I did a few courses to get my foot in the door with tech support and now I'm in Infrastructure 2 years later. In my experience, there's a few paths that I think is up and coming. IT Security, DevOps/Cloud Services and Mobile/App Dev. One thing I would say is don't go into it if its just for the money. Whilst there is money and jobs in the industry, you can easily tell people who genuinely enjoy computers from ones that chased the money. If you enjoy working with computers, go to cbtnuggets.com and find something that interests you. I got a Comptia A+ in 2 months, Windows 7 a few months after that and that was enough to get an opportunity.
Your situation is almost identical to mine I also used CBT Nuggets (though I think the videos for the particular course Im interested in were terrible) Im currently going for MTA OS Fundamentals. Whilst I like IT (ish) I prefer programming but its to hard to get into and I need a career ASAP.
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I am in similar position where I have lost my passion for the subject and need a career change.
I hold 1st class hons in chemistry from a redbrick university with two years experience in a technical environment and I am struggling to see my options.
I have so far found very difficult to transition into IT. Any have any advice or guidance I would appreciate it.
Posted from TSR Mobile
I hold 1st class hons in chemistry from a redbrick university with two years experience in a technical environment and I am struggling to see my options.
I have so far found very difficult to transition into IT. Any have any advice or guidance I would appreciate it.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Singh89
I am in similar position where I have lost my passion for the subject and need a career change.
I hold 1st class hons in chemistry from a redbrick university with two years experience in a technical environment and I am struggling to see my options.
I have so far found very difficult to transition into IT. Any have any advice or guidance I would appreciate it.
Posted from TSR Mobile
I hold 1st class hons in chemistry from a redbrick university with two years experience in a technical environment and I am struggling to see my options.
I have so far found very difficult to transition into IT. Any have any advice or guidance I would appreciate it.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Get some certs
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by T.I.P
I see that as option however I am very restricted to the amount time due to being in full time employment and having a very long commute time ( approximately 4 per day) leaving the weekend only. Has anyone benefited from returning to university to study a conversion course in IT/computer science?
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Original post by Singh89
I see that as option however I am very restricted to the amount time due to being in full time employment and having a very long commute time ( approximately 4 per day) leaving the weekend only. Has anyone benefited from returning to university to study a conversion course in IT/computer science?
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
Of course. Most people who work in the higher end of IT have a related degree. It is definitely a good thing. However, it sounds to me like you need to rationalise things in your life.
If moving into IT is your goal, wasting 4 hours a day commuting is not going to help. You either need to move closer to your job or get a job closer to home and focus your energies on getting out of your current situation rather than maintaining it.
Good luck!
Original post by Singh89
I see that as option however I am very restricted to the amount time due to being in full time employment and having a very long commute time ( approximately 4 per day) leaving the weekend only. Has anyone benefited from returning to university to study a conversion course in IT/computer science?
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
Depending on what area of IT you're looking at I think things like Microsoft certificates would actually be a better option for a support type role, if its programming then yeah go to uni. Im actually trying to cut down on working so I can concentrate more on a career which is difficult as I have two kids. Maybe you could take an online course. What area of IT are you interested in?
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Original post by ByEeek
Of course. Most people who work in the higher end of IT have a related degree. It is definitely a good thing. However, it sounds to me like you need to rationalise things in your life.
If moving into IT is your goal, wasting 4 hours a day commuting is not going to help. You either need to move closer to your job or get a job closer to home and focus your energies on getting out of your current situation rather than maintaining it.
Good luck!
If moving into IT is your goal, wasting 4 hours a day commuting is not going to help. You either need to move closer to your job or get a job closer to home and focus your energies on getting out of your current situation rather than maintaining it.
Good luck!
Great advice, a risky decisions I made today.
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