Getting into IT 1

[stl6string]

Need some advise from people already in the IT biz.

I am currently a Commercial Kitchen Design Consultant looking to change careers. Right now I am the Vice President of a two man operation. So the VP title, while it works for the bank to sign checks doesn't really mean much. My boss is a finacial idiot and although we have talked about me becoming a partner, the company isn't worth much.

So I have a choice. Start my own Foodservice Consulting business or change careers. Since I have lost interest in designing commercial kitchens starting my own business really does not appeal to me. I do kinda like the juggleing of multiple projects, but I started thinking. What part of my job do I really like?

Networking computers... For the last two small businesses I have worked for I have set up and taken care of all things IT. All be it SOHO peer to peer small networks. I have also set up several small networks for friends on mine you own small businesses as well. Fixed their Windows problems, trained employees how to use software, etc...

Almost all of what I know was self taught. I have decided to make the change. Since March I have received my A+ and Net+ certifications. I am currently studying for my CCNA certification then hopefully followed by MCSE. I have ordered the obligatory routers and a switch from ebay and will be setting up my own little home lab.

I do not have a BS in IT, nor do I have a BS in anything, so at 37 the certification route is about the fastest way I can get some more advanced knowledge under my belt quickly. My current job requires me to be able to work on my own, sell myself and my abilities to my clients, maintain their trust and their business, specify equipment.

Will any of these qualities help when looking for that first IT networking position? Are there any recommendation anyone out ther can make?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[kHz]

As the first reply, be forewarned, you will probably receive some negative responses from people telling you not to go into IT because ... (you fill in any blanks)

If you really desire to be in IT then it will show in your interviews. Passion and dedication is something that will appeal to potential employers.

A small to medium size business is your best chance for finding a job in IT. Large companies usually hire specialists and require at least a few years experience in that specialty.

I think you are on the right track.

Good luck.

 

[Corran007]

i agree with khz. the problem i see you haveing the most will be in getting the interview. alot of people will look at your resume and proably ignore it. the certs will help some in that area. the best thing you can do is see if any people you know have jobs in their companys. if you can get your foot stuck in the door, then they will see you. I think the rest will be easier.

for me someone who is self taught by doing stuff on thier own is the best type of employee. they are going outide of work and beyond what will likely be asked of him/her. i think once you get your ccna you will increase your value. alot of companys would like one but usually cannot afford one. since you dont have lots of years of exp in IT, they could proably get you cheaper than they otherwise might.

i would focuse on small companys since they will be what you are most familiar with in terms of equipemnt and software. Perhaps med depeding on what the company actually does.

 

[DTSMAN]

Since you have a restaurant background and the A+ and Net+ certs, you may find a way in through a POS company (local cash register company) setting up the POS systems. That is what I currently do, and we do everything, run and terminate the cable, build the network, load software, setup remote access, setup online credit card processing. Today's restaruant systems are no different than those setup and maintained in a small offiec.

Bo

Kentucky phone support-
"Mash the Kentrol key and hit scape."

 

[flapeyre]

Fifteen years ago, I was in a similar situation. I had no degree (and still do not have one). I went back to college to get a CS degree, however, I ran out of money two years into that, so I ended up going to a vo-tech school to learn a specific programming language (RPG on the IBM AS/400). I did manage to land a job after that course (by sheer luck), and that led to others, and I've been with my present employer for nine years now. Other than a certificate from the vo-tech school, I have no degree or certification in anything. I have found that most employers that rely heavily on certifications do so because management is not technically oriented. Here, all the IS management types (including the CIO) started out as programmers, and they know that certifications, while OK to have, really only measure the ability to pass a test. If you've "been there and done that", and have the T-shirt to prove it, that's more important. Since it appears you have "done that", emphasize your experience rather than the certs. Nothing succeeds like success.

Me transmitte sursum, Caledoni!

 

[stl6string]

Its interesting the POS systems would come up. I currently, specify POS systems for the foodservice projects I design. Micros, PacerCats, Panasonic... That might be a good way in to the door. Can I easily replace a current $50,000 salary doing POS installation?

 

[stl6string]

By the way, thanks for the responces.

 

[Corran007]

it depends on your area. my last company was a grocery chain. i know the people who did the pos stuff in the stores made around that. It will depend on your area honestly. you may have to make a little less but not to much. people experienced in pos systems like that are somewhat hard to find. i know cause my prior company had problems finding them. being able to do pos is a bit different.

 

[langleymass]

You may get some advanced knowledge by studying for a cert, but it won't help you at all in the market. You are also 37, which means you will encounter a lot of age discrimination (if you look 37 or older).

What are you making now? Will a salary of about $9 or $10 per hour be acceptable to you?

kHZ is also totally wrong about one thing. "Passion" and "dedication" mean nothing.

 

[chiph]

"Passion" and "dedication" mean nothing

Depends on the job and the employer.
If it's a 9 to 5 "McJob", then yes, passion doesn't count for much. But if it's a startup, often passion is the only thing that counts.

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[stl6string]

I currently make $52,000/year, with the only option of making more money being start my own business. As second in command in a couple of small businesses, I have also hired and fired people that do not think passion and dedication mean anything.

I'll give you the fact that certifications mean little in determining your capabilities. Experience gives a much better judge into what you know. What certifications tell an employeer, is that you are willing to put more into yourself and that you are trainable. It is rear that you'll ever take a position and be expected how to do everything the way the company wants it to be done.

$9-$10/hr won't cut it. I am willing to willing to take and 8 - 10k cut in pay to get in the door somewhere. The money isn't the issue.

 

[langleymass]

I don't know where you are, so location is a factor in salary.

You will have an extremely difficult time getting in the door at $40,000 per year, unless you are in an area like Silicon Valley (where that's not even a living wage).

I've actually went into the job market with certifications (MCSE on NT 4.0) in hand. I can tell you from real-life experience (and others will tell you the same) that certifications mean nothing to potential employers. If you take a Microsoft certification into a Linux shop, they may consider it a big negative.

Someone at a certification mill has probably told you that you will be able to make "big bucks" if you just give them "big bucks" to get this training. They've told you everything you want to hear and everything you want to believe. It's not like this in the real world of IT.

I worked in the hotel business for three years. Passion and dedication did mean something there. It also did when I worked for a Big Brothers Big Sisters. IT is not the same as most of the working world.

 

[kHz]

You may get some advanced knowledge by studying for a cert, but it won't help you at all in the market. You are also 37, which means you will encounter a lot of age discrimination (if you look 37 or older).

What are you making now? Will a salary of about $9 or $10 per hour be acceptable to you?

kHZ is also totally wrong about one thing. "Passion" and "dedication" mean nothing.

See? What did I say about the negativity?

Please discount everything that was said. This is just blather from some obviously disgruntled and angry individual.

 

[Glenn9999]

You take the good and take the bad (ignore that though) and take 'em both and there you have the facts of life!

I'm not going to discourage you. They can't exactly ship what you are considering overseas.

And just because someone happens to disagree with you Khz doesn't mean it's negativity.

 

[kHz]

It isn't he disagrees with me, it is the useless blather that is unsupported and unsubstantiated. Like - 9 or 10 dollars an hour. And passion and dedication mean nothing.

That is unqualified, disingenuous, drivel. Sort of like your nonsense.

 

[langleymass]

http://www.infoworld.com/articles/op/xml/01/02/12/010212opbriefing.html

Here is an excellent article from _Info World_, although it is four years old.

 

[stl6string]

I think CompUSA pays $9.00/hr for A+ techs.

 

[langleymass]

His best bet is to get some kind of help-desk job. That might get him $12 or $13 per hour.

 

[spamly]

If I were you I'd look at getting into a helpdesk at a large company. You'd probably take a cut in pay, but if you show initiative you'll be able to move out of the helpdesk into server/network support.

Good luck!

 

[kHz]

langleymass, why don't you drop your insincere comments which are not helpful in any respect. And just what did the article on diploma mills have to do with anything?