Information technology career advice, please!

Vegas04 · 05-13-2005, 01:37 PM

Hello All,
I have noticed during my time here at TT that many of you all are in the IT industry and I need a new gig. I am twenty-six years old and not getting any younger. I served for four years in the US Coast Guard on a ship as a Machinery Technician and I am now in the Air Force working on diesel engines, generators, air conditioners, and hydraulic systems (AGE) and am ready for a change. The problem is that I am working full time already (AF) and have a wife and a "kid-on-the-way." I'm tired of getting dirty and sweating in the heat and need something more challenging.
I've looked at my options from the local community college and I have two buddies that go to ITT but I just don't know what my best option is. Hardware, programming, networks... I just don't know which is the best for me. My preferences are flexible but I need something in which I would be employable with only about two years worth of education or certification training.
Here's a little bit of background: I have an associate's degree from The Community College of the Air Force (correspondence through the Air Force,) and I have about forty hours of real accredited education (mostly core curriculum.) I did pretty well on the ACT in high school (29) and am a member of Mensa. I need something that is challenging but doesn't require a bachelor degree.
Oh yeah, I need to make $48,000+ per year within two years of entering the field.
Can anyone give me some advice (hopefully based on experience)? I would sure appreciate any help you guys provide.
-Stuart (Vegas04)

rjspitz · 05-13-2005, 02:46 PM

I got my foot in the door by getting an IT job when I joined the Army. Maybe you should check into reclassifying your MOS into an IT field. The AF will train you, and most likely get you a security clearance. Then, you can get out and get a job with a contractor and get some more OJT and keep moving up.

BLWedge09 · 05-13-2005, 02:53 PM

If you have time to self train in a particular area there seem to still be temporary posistions open in many areas. The best way I have see to go about this is to sign up with a contracting firm who then hires you out to employers. We just had a guy at work who was a temp contractor for us for a few moths and it allowed him to find a permanant programming position with a good company. There are so many ways to go about it that I don't really know what to tell you. I went the 4 year degree route. My degree is a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Information Systems. I went this route instead of Computer Science simply because I felt there were more job opportunities. You always have a business degree along with your emphasis in Information Systems to fall back on. Currently I'm employed by a Fortune 100 telecommunications corporation as a general purpose programmer. I generally handle most of the web based work for my team as that's what I enjoy the most.

RockyMtnTitan · 05-13-2005, 02:59 PM

I totally understand your situation. I tried "breaking in" to the IT field about 4 yrs ago after getting my Cisco CCNA, A+ and Network+ certifications, as well as taking a CCNP cert class, MS, Unix, etc, ect. I've been doing HVAC and controls for the past 23 yrs, and it's taken it's toll on me, health wise. Unfortunately, the IT market started to fall apart about the time I was finishing my CCNA, so I had no luck finding anything in an entry level position that paid anything close to what I needed. I'm 43 now, and kinda lost my motivation to pursue a different career at this point.

I still think the Cisco certs are good to have, as they give you a pretty good handle on networks and router/switch configuration, etc. Network+ is a very easy cert to obtain, so I don't think it has that much value...just looks good on a resume, maybe. A+ is good for all around PC hardware and OS knowledge.

I'm sure others here will have better input for you....don't give up, you're still plenty young to start a new career! Best of luck to ya, Vegas...

*Squid* · 05-13-2005, 03:04 PM

And like koolwedgie said Contracting is how a lot of places do it any more.

Vegas04 · 05-13-2005, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjspitz

I got my foot in the door by getting an IT job when I joined the Army. Maybe you should check into reclassifying your MOS into an IT field. The AF will train you, and most likely get you a security clearance. Then, you can get out and get a job with a contractor and get some more OJT and keep moving up.

That's an interesting idea. If I decided to reenlist I'd have to retrain due to manning levels in my AFSC. Would military experience in an IT field be marketable if it came with a "secret" clearance?
BTW: When I joined the Air Force 2.5 years ago I almost joined the Army instead. I went through MEPS for the Army and signed on for four years to be a "Network Switching Systems Operator/Maintainer" Not sure what the numeric designator is for that MOS but it sounded good. Then everyone talked me out of joining the Army and I told them "no thanks" 45 days before my ship date. Not sure that was a good idea because now the AF is doing PT 3-5 times per week and they gave me a grease monkey job even though I scored a 97 or better on every area of the ASVAB. Kinda' feel suckered.

*Squid* · 05-13-2005, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas04

That's an interesting idea. If I decided to reenlist I'd have to retrain due to manning levels in my AFSC. Would military experience in an IT field be marketable if it came with a "secret" clearance?
BTW: When I joined the Air Force 2.5 years ago I almost joined the Army instead. I went through MEPS for the Army and signed on for four years to be a "Network Switching Systems Operator/Maintainer" Not sure what the numeric designator is for that MOS but it sounded good. Then everyone talked me out of joining the Army and I told them "no thanks" 45 days before my ship date. Not sure that was a good idea because now the AF is doing PT 3-5 times per week and they gave me a grease monkey job even though I scored a 97 or better on every area of the ASVAB. Kinda' feel suckered.

YES! YES! YES!
As a Vet you get extra cudos. Companies love to hire vets with their Military bearing, low maintenance attitude to the job. Trust me I'm a Vet. When I was getting out of the Military I had a civilian job with a large Military contractor guarenteed 6 months before I seperated from active service. Made the choice to get out very easy for me.

SmokeSEKC · 05-13-2005, 04:01 PM

1. Sounds like you might be more inclined towards hardware based on your exp, which tracks you eventually toward networking or systems admin (I'm a developer myself, but have friends on the hardware side).

2. For prep work, talk to a local headhunter or search monster/careerbuilder for jobs that sound nice and see what they want. IT jobs are often proxied out to a headhunter so you can see from these job posting sites who your local headhunters are, or look in the yp. They prob won't give you anything but a "we'll call you" (they get paid by the company who hires you and usually based on your starting salary) but you can at least find out about the job market from a primary source, catch up on your IT buzz words, and find out where you stand in the market. A lot of software firms like the Microsoft certs, and seems to me the hardware side likes a mix of Cisco & MS certs. Comptia are generally your entry level (easier) certifications. Cost? $0 (maybe gas to Robert Half offices).

3. If you're ready to jump right in, BLWedge09 is prob right. I know several guys who started with a little contracting place setting up desktops at a hospital, or running cat5 through the rafters at a restaurant, but eventually one guy knows another guy who knows of a good opportunity. They might want at least some kind of certification like Comptia or you can tell them you're working on your CCNA. The pay may suck at first, but the people/job networking is what you're after.

4. You're kinda lucky. I see more and more job postings lately (I'm always looking) so at least you have that in your favor. Sounds like RockyMtnTitan had to break in to the biz right after the bubble burst, as did I. I graduated with a non-technical degree in 2000. College degree or not, I started as a temp answering phones. Btw, many IT guys (and i'm not sure this is limited to IT) bs their way into a job, and do homework at night to catch up. Don't worry, you'll be up all night with the baby anyway.

5. Commit to an expensive training only after you've at least done/considered 1 - 4 from a cost/benefit point of view. I don't know how efficient they are at getting you hired, but I do know they don't do it for free.

6. Keep your head up. Remember this is all my point of view so this post has no warranty as to its accuracy, explicit or implied.

TOK · 05-13-2005, 05:21 PM

I think you're in a good job because it can't be farmed out.
My brother-in-law is doing IT/support on a contract basis and winds up unemployed about every two years.

I have a telecom job, and like yours, it requires me to work on ladders in the heat and in some attics and stuff, but it also requires my hands-on expertise so they can't farm it out to some 4 buck an hour guy in India.
I also felt I was going crazy in a field job and all I could think about was getting in out of the elements... Well, I got my wish and it was fun for about 2 months. I was going nuts working in an office. I don't know how people do it. I begged to get a job back out in the field. I make 5 or 6 stops a day so I'm not in one spot too long, I'm driving around so if there is stuff I have to do, I can and I'm able to get all the overtime I want. It's not prestigious for sure, but its secure and pays for the Titan!

*Squid* · 05-13-2005, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOK

I think you're in a good job because it can't be farmed out.
My brother-in-law is doing IT/support on a contract basis and winds up unemployed about every two years.

I have a telecom job, and like yours, it requires me to work on ladders in the heat and in some attics and stuff, but it also requires my hands-on expertise so they can't farm it out to some 4 buck an hour guy in India.
I also felt I was going crazy in a field job and all I could think about was getting in out of the elements... Well, I got my wish and it was fun for about 2 months. I was going nuts working in an office. I don't know how people do it. I begged to get a job back out in the field. I make 5 or 6 stops a day so I'm not in one spot too long, I'm driving around so if there is stuff I have to do, I can and I'm able to get all the overtime I want. It's not prestigious for sure, but its secure and pays for the Titan!

You reach a certain age where you realize that Titles and Prestige don't feed the kids or pay the mortage.

rjspitz · 05-13-2005, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas04

That's an interesting idea. If I decided to reenlist I'd have to retrain due to manning levels in my AFSC. Would military experience in an IT field be marketable if it came with a "secret" clearance?
BTW: When I joined the Air Force 2.5 years ago I almost joined the Army instead. I went through MEPS for the Army and signed on for four years to be a "Network Switching Systems Operator/Maintainer" Not sure what the numeric designator is for that MOS but it sounded good. Then everyone talked me out of joining the Army and I told them "no thanks" 45 days before my ship date. Not sure that was a good idea because now the AF is doing PT 3-5 times per week and they gave me a grease monkey job even though I scored a 97 or better on every area of the ASVAB. Kinda' feel suckered.

You will not find an IT contractor that will not hire Vet with a clearance and IT experience. Even just a Secret can get you in the door. But most likely if you get a job in IT in the military, it'll be Top Secret. You really don't need that much experience either. As Squid said, military experience is a good thing to have. Most people see Vets as easily trainable, you spend the first year in the military training to be trained, then you train, and train, and train.

I hear you about the whole Army/AF mix-up. I wanted to join the AF, but they wouldn't sign waivers for me (Speeding tickets), so I had to join the Army. My father retired 24 yrs Army as an elect tech. So I joined with the same MOS (MEPS offered me "tank driver"). Good thing about the Army is you pick your job, not your general field. You could pick Intel and get stuck translating Morse Code in the AF!!
Good luck.

By the way, most employers see OJT and experience more valuable than a couple years at an IT school with no practical experience. Plus, with the boom of the IT field in the past decade, everyone and there moms are going to ITT.

TitanIam · 05-13-2005, 09:18 PM

Stuart, unless something in IT realy takes your fancy you will be selling your soul for a couple of extra bucks.

I worked as a Telecom Network Planner for 12 years before becoming a software engineer in 1995. As first it was challenging and interesting but lately I think my network planning days were more fulfilling. Getting out of the office, surveying, planning and seeing your handywork in action was pretty satisfying. Being stuck in an office 24/7 can become a bit much after awhile.

Also, choose a company that will serve you well. Corporate America is tough and many companies answer to their shareholders and don't care that much about their workers. My current company is privately owned and is so much better than my previous company which tried to squeeze the life out of you to impress the bottom line.

BLWedge09 · 05-13-2005, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanIam

Stuart, unless something in IT realy takes your fancy you will be selling your soul for a couple of extra bucks.

I worked as a Telecom Network Planner for 12 years before becoming a software engineer in 1995. As first it was challenging and interesting but lately I think my network planning days were more fulfilling. Getting out of the office, surveying, planning and seeing your handywork in action was pretty satisfying. Being stuck in an office 24/7 can become a bit much after awhile.

Also, choose a company that will serve you well. Corporate America is tough and many companies answer to their shareholders and don't care that much about their workers. My current company is privately owned and is so much better than my previous company which tried to squeeze the life out of you to impress the bottom line.

As much as I hate to admit it, TitanIam is right. You have to really love doing it to get any reward from it. I enjoy programming so it suits me just fine at this point.l Many others that I work with do not feel the same way. I have to admit, I thoroughly enjoy getting out of the office on ocassion to train people on one of my programs or actually see it in action. It makes the job seem more fulfilling.

Just make sure you know what you're getting into before you make the leap.

sc186 · 05-13-2005, 10:42 PM

Having been expected compatent in C++ and VBA, i can appreciate the job you do as a programmer. Although i must say, my competence in those was lacking, and your job would not be for me.

Vegas04 · 05-13-2005, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squid

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You reach a certain age where you realize that Titles and Prestige don't feed the kids or pay the mortage.

But what about being challenged at work? After about a year working on ground support equipment you have kinda' extracted all of the intellectual excitement that the equipment offers. I just don't think I'm asking too much from life to expect to make $48,000 with less than a BS or BA.
The DoD idea is a good one. I would rather go through eight months of technical training in the Air Force and then start accruing real-world experience while keeping a steady paycheck.

I appreciate all of the help, guys. I'll get a list of the AFSCs that are open to retrain into on Monday and maybe you can give me some feedback on which ones are marketable/enjoyable.