8 answers
Matthew
Student
1
Question
Asked
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Whats the best way to enter the IT field .
which certifications are most beneficial to someone who wants to break into the IT field.
Also what is your education level, did you go to college, if not what route did you take?
Lastly how experienced are you and how did you gain experience at the start?
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8 answers
Biplab Panda
Engagement Director
116
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Biplab’s Answer
Hi Matthew,
Great questions!
I work at an IT consulting company as an engagement director now and have previously held roles as a business analyst and senior project manager. For breaking into the IT field, foundational certifications such as CompTIA+ or Security+ are helpful. In the project management track, I'd recommend obtaining the PMP, but you need to have been working in project management for at least 3 years before being eligible to take the exam.
I obtained my Bachelors degree from Northwestern University and majored in Economics.
I have more than 10+ years of experience now, but at the beginning I gained experience by being a business analyst assigned to a project team assisting senior business analysts and learning how they went about their job and what to do.
Gotta start somewhere, and it's best to learn from mentors and experienced colleagues who can help.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
Great questions!
I work at an IT consulting company as an engagement director now and have previously held roles as a business analyst and senior project manager. For breaking into the IT field, foundational certifications such as CompTIA+ or Security+ are helpful. In the project management track, I'd recommend obtaining the PMP, but you need to have been working in project management for at least 3 years before being eligible to take the exam.
I obtained my Bachelors degree from Northwestern University and majored in Economics.
I have more than 10+ years of experience now, but at the beginning I gained experience by being a business analyst assigned to a project team assisting senior business analysts and learning how they went about their job and what to do.
Gotta start somewhere, and it's best to learn from mentors and experienced colleagues who can help.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
Adam Davenport
Site Reliability Engineer
1
Answer
Rochester, Minnesota
Updated
Adam’s Answer
Great question!! First, let me say that there is no "golden" way to get into IT. You will find that many people have carved their own paths into IT. For example, I started building computers for gaming back in 2006 (I was 13 =) ) and from there I fell in love with everything computers. I began learning HTML, CSS and some Javascript to make my own websites, etc. Eventually, I went to college and majored in Computer Information Systems with a minor in Business Administration. While in college, I took 5 different IT certs ( A+, Net+, Sec+, CySA+ and the ISA) and passed while studying during the summers / holiday breaks. I was very fortunante to get hired by IBM a few months before my graduation of which IBM paid me to study and take my college finals...that was very nice!!
Enough about me, I believe you should identify what you love about or wish to work IT wise first. From there you can better identify what parts of the IT industry you want to work with (security, programming, systems administration, networking, etc.) and focus your skills and learning towards that future role. Do well in school, maybe get a certification or two, and then start applying =) . Also, dont worry if you are not accepted to a job right away....this is NORMAL!!! I probably applied for 300 jobs while in college and I got three offers (IBM, General Motors AI division, and a private military contractor for the US Navy). I chose IBM and I have never looked back. I love my job (even the ups and downs) and I work with some of the best coworkers I could ever ask for. Funny enough, Ruth who commented above is my Security Expert / everything expert at IBM, we work on the same team.
I wish you good luck in your journey and never quit, keep learning, and enjoy it!!!!
Enough about me, I believe you should identify what you love about or wish to work IT wise first. From there you can better identify what parts of the IT industry you want to work with (security, programming, systems administration, networking, etc.) and focus your skills and learning towards that future role. Do well in school, maybe get a certification or two, and then start applying =) . Also, dont worry if you are not accepted to a job right away....this is NORMAL!!! I probably applied for 300 jobs while in college and I got three offers (IBM, General Motors AI division, and a private military contractor for the US Navy). I chose IBM and I have never looked back. I love my job (even the ups and downs) and I work with some of the best coworkers I could ever ask for. Funny enough, Ruth who commented above is my Security Expert / everything expert at IBM, we work on the same team.
I wish you good luck in your journey and never quit, keep learning, and enjoy it!!!!
Marelyne Tolentino
Consultant
4
Answers
Buffalo, New York
Updated
Marelyne’s Answer
With more than 25 years of experience in the IT sector, I have a solid foundation in Computer Science Information Systems, which I studied before starting my journey as a mainframe programmer. My career path has been a diverse exploration of different technologies, gained through various internships and professional roles. I've always embraced a mindset of growth, never hesitating to learn new tech skills and industry knowledge. Furthermore, I've been fortunate to find mentors throughout my career who have guided me in exploring new opportunities and refining my ideas.
Ruth Murphy, MS
Security Compliance and Assurance
9
Answers
Hillsboro, New Hampshire
Updated
Ruth’s Answer
Hey There!!!
I went to college later in my career. so I did get a college education ( up to a masters in IT security) ....
That, however had nothing to do with the jobs I got.
I started with an Operating system and learning how to build them and support them ( System Administrator)
I became an expert and learned a programming language on the way, then forgot most of it hahaha.
They key I think is to get a basic certification for an O.S. and then specialize.
Think about if you want to learn about the networks and how they work or how the computers all work together.
I agree with Duncan that a support role will get you far and give you a taste of the differant areas and the challenges.
With AI & automation being the goal of many IT jobs, I would suggest focusing on networking and cloud computing. Get Certs there.
Then would suggest getting a very good handle on how security is important to how systems stay secure. This is a continuously growing field. I am biased, but I would strongly suggest learning more Security for IT and maybe consider learning how "blue" and "red" Teams work. This work will not go away anytime soon. It will be based on your knowledge and being a kind of detective to see what holes there are and how to fix them.
I went to college later in my career. so I did get a college education ( up to a masters in IT security) ....
That, however had nothing to do with the jobs I got.
I started with an Operating system and learning how to build them and support them ( System Administrator)
I became an expert and learned a programming language on the way, then forgot most of it hahaha.
They key I think is to get a basic certification for an O.S. and then specialize.
Think about if you want to learn about the networks and how they work or how the computers all work together.
I agree with Duncan that a support role will get you far and give you a taste of the differant areas and the challenges.
With AI & automation being the goal of many IT jobs, I would suggest focusing on networking and cloud computing. Get Certs there.
Then would suggest getting a very good handle on how security is important to how systems stay secure. This is a continuously growing field. I am biased, but I would strongly suggest learning more Security for IT and maybe consider learning how "blue" and "red" Teams work. This work will not go away anytime soon. It will be based on your knowledge and being a kind of detective to see what holes there are and how to fix them.
Duncan Gerungan
Technical Specialist - Data & AI
17
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Duncan’s Answer
There are many different ways to enter the IT field. This largely depends on the education and experiences you have leading up to your desired entry to IT.
One surefire way is to join in a support role, helping customers through technical problems. There are many different types of IT-related majors in college that traditionally feed into IT-related roles. These include Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Cybersecurity,
Information Systems, and the list goes on. Do some research on the different programs that the colleges you're interested in attending offer!
Many roles have a designated pipeline for fresh graduates, so I would focus on completing whatever education path you end up choosing :) Good luck, you're already on the right path, and your continued curiosity will pay off in your career!
One surefire way is to join in a support role, helping customers through technical problems. There are many different types of IT-related majors in college that traditionally feed into IT-related roles. These include Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Cybersecurity,
Information Systems, and the list goes on. Do some research on the different programs that the colleges you're interested in attending offer!
Many roles have a designated pipeline for fresh graduates, so I would focus on completing whatever education path you end up choosing :) Good luck, you're already on the right path, and your continued curiosity will pay off in your career!
Ali Bagheri
Advisory Services
1
Answer
Austin, Texas
Updated
Ali’s Answer
From my own personal experience in the IT field (about 25 years), I have never attained any certifications, but I have a voracious appetite for learning. Certifications are useful if they help you learn and can help you demonstrate your interest or passion in a topic - some employers will value them, and some won't. I studied Management Information Systems in college (4 year degree), and while I was studying, I was also working part time as a lab tech - basically just helping folks who came into the computer lab. I learned a bit about coding in high school, and then I found resources on the web to teach myself how to build websites. I even left the field of IT for a while after the first dot com bust, got a graduate degree in public health, then used my experience with databases to work at a government health agency. Eventually the world of IT pulled me back in, so while I'm not in health care any more, I do still use my experience from those days. I mention this circuitous route to let you know that not all paths are straight. I now have a terrific career at a successful software company, and I love the work I do. More importantly, I really enjoy the people I work with. My tech skills are now secondary to my people skills, but I still love learning about technology. Continuing education is super important in IT, because things shift and change sometimes quite rapidly.
If I was just starting out, I'd sample a few parts of IT to get a feel for what I'm good at and what I like. Learn about SQL and databases - these are pretty universal and good to have an understanding of. Get acquainted with how the basics of networking and the internet work (even old books at the library are fine for this - networking hasn't changed a ton when it comes to fundamentals). Build a home network, and build a PC in your spare time. Configure the operating system, and try to set up a web server. Try a little coding - it doesn't matter what language, really - build that 'hello world' web site. Then you can get into some of the more complex things like how AWS or Azure or Google Cloud services work, more advanced coding in a foundational language like Java or C, or advanced scripting in Python or Javascript, and learn about git. An entry level job at a local community college where you can be around an IT department would be a great start as well.
If you lean more into systems administration - networking, databases, servers, operating systems - then sometimes certifications can be more meaningful (AWS or Microsoft certs, for example). If you lean more into coding, your work will speak more than certs - put your code out on a public repo like github. And finally - there's a whole world of IT jobs that don't necessarily involve systems administration or coding - things like project management, product management, information security, analytics, and design. It's a really wide field - go try a few things out and see what you like!
If I was just starting out, I'd sample a few parts of IT to get a feel for what I'm good at and what I like. Learn about SQL and databases - these are pretty universal and good to have an understanding of. Get acquainted with how the basics of networking and the internet work (even old books at the library are fine for this - networking hasn't changed a ton when it comes to fundamentals). Build a home network, and build a PC in your spare time. Configure the operating system, and try to set up a web server. Try a little coding - it doesn't matter what language, really - build that 'hello world' web site. Then you can get into some of the more complex things like how AWS or Azure or Google Cloud services work, more advanced coding in a foundational language like Java or C, or advanced scripting in Python or Javascript, and learn about git. An entry level job at a local community college where you can be around an IT department would be a great start as well.
If you lean more into systems administration - networking, databases, servers, operating systems - then sometimes certifications can be more meaningful (AWS or Microsoft certs, for example). If you lean more into coding, your work will speak more than certs - put your code out on a public repo like github. And finally - there's a whole world of IT jobs that don't necessarily involve systems administration or coding - things like project management, product management, information security, analytics, and design. It's a really wide field - go try a few things out and see what you like!
Tiffanie Rand (Lampasona), CDR, CIR
Recruiter
91
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Tiffanie’s Answer
Hi Matthew,
The first thought would be apply to IT jobs but because I am a recruiter I can tell you that applications receive thousands of applicants. I think the best thing to do is find a mentor at a company that you respect and they can help you get a job. I also recommend doing a degree in information technology, or cyber security. You can obtain certification like the Security+ but sometimes companies are willing to help you pay for those, which can be very expensive. I would volunteer doing IT, get internships and find a mentor.
You can also go to meetup groups to meet people in the field you'd like to be in, networking can be a huge benefit to helping you get your foot in the door with a company. Don't be afraid to start at the bottom, lots of individuals start that way in their career and then work their way up. Helpdesk is a good first start to IT.
The first thought would be apply to IT jobs but because I am a recruiter I can tell you that applications receive thousands of applicants. I think the best thing to do is find a mentor at a company that you respect and they can help you get a job. I also recommend doing a degree in information technology, or cyber security. You can obtain certification like the Security+ but sometimes companies are willing to help you pay for those, which can be very expensive. I would volunteer doing IT, get internships and find a mentor.
You can also go to meetup groups to meet people in the field you'd like to be in, networking can be a huge benefit to helping you get your foot in the door with a company. Don't be afraid to start at the bottom, lots of individuals start that way in their career and then work their way up. Helpdesk is a good first start to IT.
Erica Bussey
Customer Engagement
3
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Erica’s Answer
Here's a useful tip: you don't have to be a tech whiz to work in the IT industry! There are numerous positions in IT companies that don't require technical expertise. These include customer success, sales, marketing, customer engagement programs, and HR roles among others. So, if you're keen on working in the IT sector but aren't too enthusiastic about the intricate details of software, these non-technical roles could be a perfect fit for you!