The easiest job in computers?

[redfella]

NOTE: This post has been revised in hopes of getting an adequate answer. Can anyone help me?

This question is for all you technophiles/computer careerists who know what you are talking about.

I am looking to change careers and get a job in computers. The only problem is that I don't know which job to go for. I live in Raleigh, North Carolina. For those of you who are familiar with Raleigh you will know that it is a high tech industry hot bed. It's basically Silicon Valley East. So there are a ton of computer jobs here. This will help keep my possiblilities open, etc.

Anyways I want a computer job that has the following criteria:

- Build/repair computers (hardware)
- Install/update/fix software
- Maintain systems/servers/websites/networks/databases
- LITTLE TO NO CODING
- Entry level pay starts at 35k+
- Can reach 60k+ in short time

Is there a job for me? If so, what is it called and how do I get it? Do I need an Associates, Bacholers, Masters or just a diploma? Do I need certification? Etc. Etc.

Thanks in advance!

NOTE: For all you haters out there, rolling in your money bags, I revised this post just for you. First, 'no coding' has been revised to 'Little or no coding'.... I suppose I can learn a little code to get by. Second, I took out the anti-support sentiment... I suppose I can work with people. Third, I lowered the entry level pay to 35k... which is an absolute bargain. Fourth, I added networks and databases to the maintainence list. And last but not least, I'm looking for the easiest job in computers... yet one that still fulfills my 60k+/year requirement. Consider this when you're giving your well educated replies please.

So what is the easiest job in computers for me?

 

[clamum]

Fail.

 

[Cogman]

You already have a thread, edit your other post, don't spam us with almost the exact same copy and pasted message.

 

[SpunkyJones]

WWYBYWB?

In case your serious, get a couple of certs and get a help desk monkey job.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Help desk if you're lucky at slave wages. Going back to school is your only chance.

 

[Gibson486]

E equals MC2....is that you?

To answer your question...No...there is no job for you.

 

[minendo]

So what is the easiest job in computers for me?

Use them to smuggle drugs from mexico. You know how much weed you can fit in a full tower?

Seriously man, why the need for two threads to be told you are a moron?

 

[aceO07]

If you're changing careers, I'll assume you have no work experience in the computer field. That means you'll have to do internships or part-time for a while before you get anything decent. I don't know how the market is in your area. In NYC, they'll offer you $35k even if you have a couple of years of experience. Being able to code helps a lot.

Define what's a 'short time'? 3 years? 6 years? $60k isn't exactly easy to make, even working with computers.

 

[nick1985]

HAHAHA...

 

[poopaskoopa]

Help desk stuff. Unless you move to management you won't go from 35k -> 60k doing the same job. What you're describing is desktop support, and I doubt those positions reach 60k in the area. Also, you don't seem to have experience in the area, so I doubt you'll be in a position to manage servers and databases(although if you did, you can reach/surpass the 60k mark).

Give monster.com/computerjobs.com/dice.com a try. I think the last 2 sites list mostly contractor positions. Given what I've read in your post, I'd suggest lying on your resume to generate interest.

 

[chusteczka]

He is not a moron. He is asking for help with a job market and career direction that he does not fully understand. Hence, his request for help. If his uneducated conditions are set aside, this is a serious request for assistance.

Walgreens often needs people with an associate's level understanding of computer repair to provide local tech assistance for their numerous stores. Look for a help desk position at the "C" level.

A position at a help desk or "first level" support may fit him nicely.

 

[wart]

I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today. :monocle;

 

[nageov3t]

25K seems like a huge salary bump in a "short time"

 

[zoiks]

I would suggest that you acquire some skills. I got my current job as I used to dabble in Perl in my free time. My current job requires me to debug source code in C/C++ but my experience in Perl helped me a lot.
Get a few books and read them religiously and write programs as short as they may be. It definitely helps when you apply for a job and you understand the questions thrown at you.

 

[FDF12389]

Originally posted by: poopaskoopa
Help desk stuff. Unless you move to management you won't go from 35k -> 60k doing the same job. What you're describing is desktop support, and I doubt those positions reach 60k in the area. Also, you don't seem to have experience in the area, so I doubt you'll be in a position to manage servers and databases(although if you did, you can reach/surpass the 60k mark).

Give monster.com/computerjobs.com/dice.com a try. I think the last 2 sites list mostly contractor positions. Given what I've read in your post, I'd suggest lying on your resume to generate interest.

What he will be paid depends on his location too. OP where are you from? 35k in the midwest is alot different then 35k in New York.

 

[minendo]

OP where are you from? 35k in the midwest is alot different then 35k in New York.

I live in Raleigh, North Carolina. For those of you who are familiar with Raleigh you will know that it is a high tech industry hot bed.

Did you miss both of his threads?

 

[invidia]

My friend's dad started out as IT support some 16-18 years ago. Probably made the 25-30k a year doing that. Now he moved up to IT security and is now making $65k a year.


Going from 35k to something like 60k takes over 8-10 years to achieve; if you consider that a short period of time.

 

[XxPrOdiGyxX]

No...Northern Virginia/D.C. Metro Area is the Silicon Valley of the East.

 

[XxPrOdiGyxX]

Originally posted by: redfella
NOTE: This post has been revised in hopes of getting an adequate answer. Can anyone help me?

This question is for all you technophiles/computer careerists who know what you are talking about.

I am looking to change careers and get a job in computers. The only problem is that I don't know which job to go for. I live in Raleigh, North Carolina. For those of you who are familiar with Raleigh you will know that it is a high tech industry hot bed. It's basically Silicon Valley East. So there are a ton of computer jobs here. This will help keep my possiblilities open, etc.

Anyways I want a computer job that has the following criteria:

- Build/repair computers (hardware)
- Install/update/fix software
- Maintain systems/servers/websites/networks/databases
- LITTLE TO NO CODING
- Entry level pay starts at 35k+
- Can reach 60k+ in short time

Is there a job for me? If so, what is it called and how do I get it? Do I need an Associates, Bacholers, Masters or just a diploma? Do I need certification? Etc. Etc.

Thanks in advance!

NOTE: For all you haters out there, rolling in your money bags, I revised this post just for you. First, 'no coding' has been revised to 'Little or no coding'.... I suppose I can learn a little code to get by. Second, I took out the anti-support sentiment... I suppose I can work with people. Third, I lowered the entry level pay to 35k... which is an absolute bargain. Fourth, I added networks and databases to the maintainence list. And last but not least, I'm looking for the easiest job in computers... yet one that still fulfills my 60k+/year requirement. Consider this when you're giving your well educated replies please.

So what is the easiest job in computers for me?

Hmmm no coding to little or no coding? That's quite the compromise. How big of you. Dude, you keep trying to find the easiest or quickest option. There is no such thing unless you win the lottery or get randomly lucky.

 

[Born2bwire]

Heh, good luck with all that.

 

[SparkyJJO]

topic title: "The easiest job in computers?"

Sounds like you are lazy and want easy money. Easy job in computers != $60K a year.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
Easy job in computers != $60K a year.

That is not necessarily true. I get several emails a day telling me how I can put my computer to work for up to $5k per day.

 

[Evadman]

Didn't I interview you?

 

[Apathetic]

A lot of the skills you are describing are the responsibility of a System Administrator (Sys Admin), but you'll definately need some certs and have to choose between the Windows world and the Unix world (at least to start).

In the Windows world, the entry level cert is the MCSE (or at least it used to be. My knowledge is getting a bit dated). There are lots of places that offer to help get you certified (including Wake Tech), but if all you have is the cert with no previous experience you'll be what people refer to as a "paper MCSE". Having the MCSE and no experience will, at best, get you into an interview during which you'll REALLY have to sell yourself. DO NOT come across as having all the answers. Believe me, you don't. You're aiming for a VERY junior Sys Admin position. Let them know you're willing to work the second or third shift or whatever else it takes and you MUST come across as eager to learn more. Now that I think about it, give Wake Tech a call and see if they have any kind of internships linked to their MCSE program. Any kind of experince you can get will be better than none.

In the Unix world, there are lots of different certs (IBM, Sun, and Red Hat all have their own). The only one you're going to have any chance at getting will be the Red Hat one (the others cost you way too much $$ and I'm sure you don't have access to an IBM or Sun server). This is of course assuming you're familiar with Linux to begin with and have a PC or two you can experiment with. I'm not familiar with Red Hat's certification program at all other than it exists. I'm sure others here can help you out with the specifics. Both NC State and Wake Tech have ties to Red Hat. Since you seem to have issues with programming, be aware that while Windows Admins don't necesarilly do a lot of programming, Unix admins do. While they don't usually write large programs, they tend to write lots and lots of small programs called scripts (google "bash scripts" or "perl scripts").

One other option that may be open to you would be Network Administrator. These days that means getting a Cisco CCNA certification. I know Wake Tech offers this certification. The biggest advantage to Wake Tech for this cert is that they have labs full of Cisco gear you can experiment with. Give them a call and see what their placement rate for their graduates is. Be aware that entry level Network Admins almost always get the second/third shift jobs at the data centers around Raleigh.

No matter which area you pick be aware that a degree plus certifications is always ranked higher than just a certification (assuming no previous experience) by HR types. The only way around this is to sell yourself extremely well at the interview.

I hope this helps.

Dave

 

[trmiv]

I work in RTP, do the first two things on your list, and make closer to 60K than I do 35K, so it is possible in this area, but not as quickly as you want it to be. I had 8 years of experience, and a bachelors degree before I started this job though. Unfortunately my company isn't hiring (we were, but the positions were just filled).