Trying to get my foot in the door with IT...

[Proprioceptive]

So I currently work in the food industry (management) and I'm looking to move into the IT field. My dad is a Principal Analyst for a global agribusiness company and he's suggested I look into WGU because it's financially feasible for me and I can work at my own pace while I continue working in my current job. Firstly, I have very minimal experience with IT. I can setup and manage a basic home network and troubleshoot minor problems without any issue. I took a basic programming class in college (we did some programming with C++ and I learned really basic algorithm design). I also have about 60 credits of mostly gen ed credits from the University of Missouri that should transfer over to cover most of my elective courses So now that we have my lack of IT experience covered, let me get to the important questions.

WGU offers Bachelors Degrees in the following areas and i'm trying to figure out what field would be the best to get into right now:

B.S. Information Technology
B.S. information Technology - Network Administration
B.S. Information Technology - Security
B.S. Health Informatics <--- I don't know much about this field, so I figured I'd get input from someone who does.

They also offer some software degrees, but I'm not interested in that area. All of these degrees include all certifications in the tuition, so I don't have to pay extra for those. Each link shows a list of all the certifications achieved by each degree completion. Like i mentioned before, the Health Informatics field might be promising considering the push for digital records in the healthcare area.

My second question is in regards to being eligible for the degree programs. I have to have earned at least an associate's degree in IT or hold a transferable IT certification which I would need to earn beforehand. The list of transferable certifications is HERE. My dad says that getting one of these certifications could be the quickest and cheapest route... so does anyone know which one I should get first and the best way to go about getting it? I'll be doing my own research as well, but I figured someone out there might be able to point me in the right direction.

 

[ultimatebob]

Honestly, you and your dad's existing job probably has better potential than going into IT.

IT work is being increasingly outsourced overseas, but people always need to eat and those businesses need good managers! Maybe an MBA with a minor in IT would make more sense?

 

[Mide]

I'd recommend going into networking.

 

[KillerBee]

I would trust your Dad more than the internet

The best thing when transferring to a new career is having someone on the inside like your Dad - and some good on the job training

has he offered to help set you up?

 

[Proprioceptive]

I would trust your Dad more than the internet

The best thing when transferring to a new career is having someone on the inside like your Dad - and some good on the job training

has he offered to help set you up?

Not quite yet as I haven't fully committed to the decision yet. I doubt he'd hesitate to help out once I'm in. The problem is getting the degree first and deciding what area to get into. My dad says he thinks security is the way to go right now, but I wanted to get outside opinions as well. As far as ceritifications go, I'm reading that the A+ certification would be my easiest route so far.

 

[KillerBee]

A+ would probably be easiest. Depends on where you end up working though

A small company may have techs who handle everything
or bigger companies may divide the Windows vs. 'Nix. vs the Network Admins

Personally if starting out would look for the small company where you can learn from someone who does everything.

I can't see going straight into Security until you have the basic Windows/Nix/Network Background first
though I'm sure it happens unfortunately

PS if you like doing a lot of paperwork - think Security
if you enjoy fixing stuff for end users - Windows or Linux Admin
Network Admin - never did that myself but I'm sure it's cooler than a Security Job

PS2 - depending on the area I'm sure food service management can also pay pretty well
I know a guy from high school who worked his way from dish washer to running one of the best restaurants in the area and is now a multi-millionaire

 

[drebo]

What kind of management in the food industry? Very big difference between, say, a shift manager at McDonalds and logistics manager for a large grocery chain.

That, right there, will be the biggest indicator of whether or not it'll be feasible to switch to an IT career.

With no experience (and you have no experience,) you'll only be qualified for an entry-level job, even if you have a BS from WGU. Your pay will be significantly less. So, if you have a family to take care of, you'll need to be conscious of the fact that your income will be reduced to very little.

If that's OK, or if your job is actually the equivalent of shift manager at McDonalds, then the next thing you need to do is determine which sector of IT you want to go into. IT is a VERY large field, and you can't go in with the idea that you'll just do everything. For instance, if you want to be a database administrator, you're unlikely to be very good at networking. Do you want to consult? Do you want to work a corporate job? If so, do you want helpdesk-type work or do you want implementation-type work? Do you want to go into programming? If so, which languages? Etc. Etc.

Some jobs have big potential, some don't. Consulting is big business right now, because it's easier for large companies to hire a consulting firm for a niche project, rather than hire someone inhouse to fill a void, so if you want to do that, you'll need some exposure to pretty much everything, but you can't expect to be an expert at everything.

Above all, though, the ability to troubleshoot is the biggest determination of your success in IT. It isn't a skill that can be taught, so if you don't have it, you won't be successful in IT. Sure, you might be able to be a helpdesk goon, but that's not really IT. That's script-reading.

Overall, if you already have a promising career in the food industry, stay there. If you really are an assistant manager at McDonalds, then you probably should switch.

 

[Proprioceptive]

I suppose I should clarify that I'm a manager in the restaurant business. I am an assistant manager in a chain restaurant. Pay is low 30s but I do have the drive and ability to get into higher positions. The problems is, it's not something I really want to continue. Money isn't so much of an issue for me right now. like I said, I'm earning in the low 30s right now and I'm sure I can find something equal to or better starting off in the IT world. I'm aware I'll be starting off at the bottom, so that isn't an issue either. IT has always interested me and I really feel I can be happier in this field.

As far as interest goes, I'm not sure yet. You mention potential and I'm actually trying to gauge where the best potential is right now. I intend on learning much more about the different fields as I move along in the learning process. Right now I think I'm leaning towards the B.S. in Information Technology degree. As you'll see above, all the certifications earned for each degree is in the links. The one I'm leaning towards would get me:

CompTIA A+
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Project+
CompTIA Linux+
CIW Web Foundations Associate
CIW Database Design Specialist
CIW Web Design Specialist
CIW JavaScript Specialist
MTA Windows OS Fundamentals
MTA Windows Server Admin Fundamentals
MTA Networking Fundamentals
MTA Security Fundamentals
MTA Software Development Fundamentals
MTA Database Administration Fundamentals

You mention troubleshooting, and I am very good in this department. I love doing it. I don't intend on going into the programming sector. It just isn't my style. Networking seems to be my best fit, but I don't know enough about Security to form much of an opinion yet. My dad consulted a lot as a programmer and did very well doing it. I would much prefer to find myself in a corporate setting... something more stable and permanent, but then again, it's just a preference. I know I'm going to have to be more flexible starting off and I accept that. I could have a promising career in the restaurant business, but it's just not where I see myself in the future.

 

[KillerBee]

As far as training that would be an impressive list to complete
especially if you were still working fulltime

Is that a 2 year or 4 year plan?

 

[Proprioceptive]

As far as training that would be an impressive list to complete
especially if you were still working fulltime

Is that a 2 year or 4 year plan?

Considering I can kill most, if not all, of the non-IT courses with my transfer credits, this should take no longer than 2.5 years. I can go faster, however, since they allow you to take as many courses per term you want without paying extra. They charge a flat ~$3,000/6 month term.

I guess my next big question would be how marketable would I be with these certifications? What could I expect without actual IT work experience? I'll basically be continuing my current job while I knock this out. I should have plenty of time to dedicate to the degree.

EDIT: Not to mention that I can breeze through the A+ portion of my courses since I'll be getting that certification on my own before I can enroll.

 

[KillerBee]

I never knew they even had schools where you could just train for that many certs

In the old days people worked for a bit in the areas then took tests to prove their knowledge.
Just not sure if companies have as much respect for the paper vs experience
I would think about breaking it up with some OJT time between the areas maybe

 

[Proprioceptive]

I never knew they even had schools where you could just train for that many certs

In the old days people worked for a bit in the areas then took tests to prove their knowledge.
Just not sure if companies have as much respect for the paper vs experience
I would think about breaking it up with some OJT time between the areas maybe

I've thought about the OJT... and having a father well-established in the field can't hurt my prospects for finding something. Then again, I still need to be able to pay for my classes out of pocket, so it's kind of hard to tell if I'll be able to or not.

 

[phucheneh]

Are you sure you're inept enough for IT? It doesn't sound like it.

 

[KentState]

Are you sure you're inept enough for IT? It doesn't sound like it.

My thoughts as well. Maybe things have changed, but you don't get into IT like it's an on/off switch. It's something you have in you and the degree is just icing on the cake. Everyone that I know that is successful in technology has it in their personality.

 

[Proprioceptive]

Are you sure you're inept enough for IT? It doesn't sound like it.

My thoughts as well. Maybe things have changed, but you don't get into IT like it's an on/off switch. It's something you have in you and the degree is just icing on the cake. Everyone that I know that is successful in technology has it in their personality.

This makes no sense to me at all. Why in the world would you want an inept person dealing with IT? This sounds like a job you'd want an adept person handling. Maybe you guys just don't know what "inept" means....

And yeah, this stuff is definitely "in my personality".

 

[Sattern]

If you can land a job where dad is then go for it, otherwise the IT industry is highly saturated and bound to be outsourced due to the ease of common troubleshooting problems.

 

[Phynaz]

Since you are in management now, you could go into IT management. Say something like managing IT services.

 

[Cappuccino]

Ill take food anyday. IT sucks.

 

[phucheneh]

This makes no sense to me at all. Why in the world would you want an inept person dealing with IT? This sounds like a job you'd want an adept person handling. Maybe you guys just don't know what "inept" means....

And yeah, this stuff is definitely "in my personality".

I think that other dude doesn't know what 'inept' means.

I meant that every IT department I have encountered is largely composed of entirely incompetent people, whom I would probably murder if I had to work with on a daily basis.

 

[Aldon]

IT Security is a promising field to go into, as well as IT in general, even though they're underpaid in my opinion.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

You're competing on a global scale. You willing to work for 20k a year? Get into something where you can't be so easily outsourced.