I’m currently a line cook, considering making the switch, but I’m a little confused about where to start. A local community college offers some certs that seem promising.
I have a little relevant background, a minor in comp sci, but that was some years ago (trying to relearn some of the material in my spare time now).
Depends what sector of IT you want in. Tech support on the phone, just apply. Tech support deskside, maybe get can A+ to stand out but otherwise just apply.
Systems administration, if you don’t have experience, a cert can fill that gap. Microsoft server or azure/365 certs will be helpful if you want to go into windows. Any of the Linux server certs if you want to go that route. Some of the Linux ones are more affordable too.
Networking likes certs a lot more, especially Cisco shops. If you have advanced certs in Cisco you can get in easy a lot of places. Fortinet has a lot stronger presence these days than it used to though and the NSE4 is a great way to get into it. Huge companies tend towards Cisco, Aruba, and sometimes Dell. Medium and small tend towards other more affordable brands but Fortinet is a solid option.
The downside to certs is that many are expensive to get. Companies often will help maintain them. Good companies will help you get one if they think you are able and they think you will stay. But you need to be in the door for that.
If you want a place that will take in low experience and build you up fast, an MSP might be an option. You will usually touch a lot of things and get a lot of experience in a short amount of time. Downsides are pay and workload. You will not be paid fairly for the output expected. At least I’ve never seen it. So one approach is to get some exp from an MSP, then move on to a proper company after a year.
I’m leaving IT after a very long time for Software Engineering at the moment. IT burnt me tf out, ran me over and then backed up to make sure the job was done right. So I have a pretty sober view of the field and try not to bias it. It was great till it wasn’t. Feel free to ask me anything you want and I’ll do my best to give you a fair and honest response.
Thank you for the overview and congrats to moving on!
Sure thing, I hope it helps a little and that you enjoy it. Just hold your boundaries on work/life and you’ll probably be fine. 🙂
I’m happy to see I’m not the only one in this boat. I’ve been in tech/IT for a very long time and I’m very, very, burnt lol.
I am also in the process of breaking up with my work to take what little money I’ve made, and travel while it’s still possible (for reasons).
Makes me wonder how many other people are going through this. Feels like technology PTSD lol
Definitely not the only one. We need unions so badly it isn’t even funny. I think I have some literal PTSD from buyouts/layoffs/mergers etc. Every time a company I was at was bought, IPOed, or did mass layoffs (covid), I was cut. A few rimes because I was one of the higher paid, once because they just straight nuked my position, another because I had a manager that was brand new with a fragile ego and couldn’t handle (polite and professional) push back at all.
It’s happened several times now and now I can’t handle unscheduled meetings anymore without anxiety spiking through the roof and thinking I’m being laid off again. One time I wasn’t even given notice. My access was cut in the middle of doing maintenance on our hypervisor clusters and I was told over text when I asked my boss if his access still worked. I’ve taken time off for awhile now and working to change careers to where I will at least be paid well enough to be layoff resistant.
Damn. It’s crazy how much we are both headed down the same path. I’ve also recently taken a big chunk of time off and working to change careers. I’m just trying to make sure things are ready and I have something to fall back on.
I have a friend who is too nice a guy and gave 4 weeks’ notice because he genuinely didn’t want to leave his team in the lurch. He found out the next day (on a Weds) that Friday would be his last day. I want to be sure I don’t end up in the same way. They are heartless!
They really are. It’s awful being treated like a disposable piece that can be jettisoned without any further thought. That really sucks for your friend, I’ve been through that too. It was only a standard two week notice but it still was awful.
What career are you moving to if you don’t mind me asking? Feel free to DM if you’d rather keep it off the public but don’t mind otherwise.
On the Cisco certs, other vendors generally have fast track courses to get their certs.