What's the best way to go about making a mid-life career change to IT? Specifically network administration or security.
What do you do for a living right now? I may be looking to swap with you. I have done IT, security, hardware testing, software testing, remote network admistration, NO Help....helpdesk. And looking for a change. Tired of answering stupid questions of people who know less about computers then live on Pluto. The pay in this industry has gone down from what I have seen. The last few jobs I have ad in the computer industry has not been about what you know but more about who you know. You hear about getting your MCSE, MCP or any of the other certs. It just means you can memorize the answers before taking the test. I know several people with MCSE's who wouldn't know how to swap out a hard drive or add memory to a PC or laptop. But they sure know how to kiss booty. Sorry I digress. If you are serious bout it maybe look at taking some network courses over at JCC. They have one really awesome instructor over there by the name of David Oliver. Really knows his stuff. I know when I finished in 2006 he had gone over to IRAQ. I heard a few months ago he is back. You may also want to look into learning Linux. Most major corporations use Linux as their backbone. Go online and do a search for UBUNTU and you can download it and put it on a PC and that should give you some good hands on for linux. Most Linux platforms have a GUI, But most of the people I know who work with Linux tend to stick with working with command lines. Good Luck in your endeavor.
yea and I have been in it for over 15 years. Seen my job to over seas to Ireland and also up to Lansing MI and Winchester KY. All for cheaper labor. And what they can't export they use that H-1B visa's to import the cheap labor from India.
I have a friend who can't seem to get a permanent job anywhere. Right now he drives from Greensboro to Va. every day to work. He use to have to drive to Charlotte every day. Don't know exactly what his specialty is but crap, that's a lot of work to be able to work.
I had one job where I was driving from Cleveland area up to north Raleigh off of capital. I just left a job that was out in the Park. In February I started a new job and its out Goldsboro. The job out in the park was 41.5 miles each way. The new job is 39 miles each way. Really can not complain too much. I have a friend who drives from here to Durham each day. I think its up in north Durham, not sure though but I know its a long haul just for work. But I know my friend is alot happier. If i could find a job outside the computer field that was paying me what I was making back in 2001 I would take it in a heartbeat and leave computers all together. I love playing with them but hate dealing with the BS of people in the industry.
I was in the IT field for 25 years....saw alot of ups and downs. The last 5-7 years were the worst. My job was outsourced, friends jobs were sent oversea's or the impoverished areas of the US. Unless you really love working with computers it is a field full of contract positions that can be axed without notice. I left the profession and went to nursing school. More job security, plenty of work and never having to worry about being laid off!!!!
I did a fair amount of time in the helpdesk customer support area. I was also a network engineer, LAN admin and spent the last couple of years in EMail development, installation and server support. A little bit of network security tossed in the mix. I wouldn't go back for anything.
Wow, you guys really know how to slap someone back to reality. LOL Over the past 15 years I've been a construction superintendent. I don't know what customer service in IT is like, but can you imagine building someone's dream home and having to see them everyday for a year? Its enough to drive anyone insane. The profits have to be huge to make it worthwhile. I've thought about starting my own company, but the market is a mess right now, I don't have the required mountain of cash, and the competition from big builders is fierce. I'm just tired of this industry and would like to make a change. Thanks for the responses. I'd be glad to trade info with anyone thinking about a career change.
Heck if I could mix my love for animals with my interests in computers, and make a living doing it I would leave my job in a heartbeat. Especially if I could do it on my own and not have to deal with a bunch of people.
ok I am kind of all ears right now, Give me the gimmicky and the purposeful. I maybe be able to use both. Start off with the gimmicky to get a foothold in then go to the more purposeful. And if I am correct in my thinking doesn't "Weird Al" Yankovic have a Gangsta Polka album?
OK, first, let me get this out... no matter what you do, if you are in the corporate world (which means customer service as well) it's going to be "Same circus, different clowns". Yep, no matter where you work, there will be good folks and bad folks, problems and issues. I managed a Help Desk at an international company for several years, and let me tell you, no one ever called to tell me to have a nice day. Now, here's a thought about how to tie two new ventures together. There's a doggie daycare in Garner called Bone Voyage. I take my dog there once a week just to let her play with other dogs and get some energy spent (she's a 6 month old lab). Now, here's the second part. I have 5 and 7 yr old kids. Both are in school now, but when they aren't sometimes we go to a place in Cary called Jumpin Beans. It's got indoor inflatables for the kids to jump on. The good thing about this place is it's got an indoor coffee bar and is wi-fi. So, I take my laptop, surf the web, while they are playing and having fun and exhausting themselves. The dog has to stay home crated So, why don't you make a local coffee bar and doggie day care? The dog's can run and play outdoors in a fenced area (with a supervised staff, of course), and the 'parents' can watch them on a big screen. Also, local folks could meet there for a casual lunch, cup of coffee, or just to surf the web. I know this would go over well... but, you have to put it at 40/42 somewhere convenient and pretty much on the main drag or close to it. My 2 cents...
What about using your current experience but in a different way? There must be a growing need for remolders with homes in the 10-20 age range becoming more common. With home prices on the rise, I imagine more families will be more likely to stay where they are. Are there many people in this area catering to that need ... i.e. replacing bathroom fixtures and counters, new floors, small remodels, ...? It is a business you could start on the side and grow into full-time.
Would people actually pay to take their dogs to this type of place? Something like Money Joes I could definitely see making some $ with all the young families in this area. I personally tough would not pay to take my dogs to play with other dogs.
Yep, I pay to take my dog there once a week. They have a regular set of people who go there at least several times a week. I started going there when we had our first lab, a 4 month old rescue male FULL of energy. He would come home totally played out. It's a great place. Now, with regard to the remodeling and odd jobs...when can you start at my home? We lost a few shingles on the roof, and got a quote of $600 to replace 3 shingles. I need to get a deck power washed (is that illegal now-a-days?). I need to have the inside and outside of my house painted. . .
Oh sorry it is Monkey Joes. Opened in Cary I think within the last two months. It offers A LOT more than Jumpin Beans! It is near Walnut/Buck Jones ... in the shopping center where Borders is. They have a Mon.-Thurs. 10 visit pass which is the best deal ... I think each visit comes out to $6 per child. http://www.monkeyjoes.com/home27511.aspx
Specific areas that are hot will be EDI , Linux, Java and xml developers. Raleigh area is not the place to be for IT.
