13 answers
Paris
Student
Sedro-Woolley, Washington
2
Questions
Asked
812 views
Is it as hard to pursue a career in IT as people say?
I find computers and working with them really interesting, and I'd love to pursue a career in IT, but I've heard many people suggest I do something else because of the competitive market. I don't need to be some fancy tech engineer with a 6 figure salary, as long as I can get a job that pays enough for me to live I'd be fine. Is it a bad idea to go into IT with the market right now?
Additionally, do certain subsects of IT have better markets? eg. Cybersecurity vs computer software vs networking, etc.
13 answers
Carlos Gallegos
Data Center Tech.
1
Answer
Yakima, Washington
Updated
Carlos’s Answer
To answer your question, it is not hard to pursue a career in IT. I know with today’s news you see a lot of mass layoffs, jobs getting hard to find, etc., but the economy/job market is not doing well as a whole. However, this doesn’t mean there are no jobs available.
Here are the steps to break into tech (these are the steps I took to get into tech):
1. **Get a Certification.**
I recommend studying and going for the CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security+.
- Getting a certification is the best way to make yourself stand out from the crowd.
- It shows you are capable of doing the work and you are a self-starter.
- During your studies, you will learn more about IT and possibly find a sector that catches your attention, which you may want to study more (networking, hardware, software, troubleshooting, security, scripting, etc.).
2. **Leverage Your Current Skills.**
We all have something we are good at! Use your previous work experiences to show how you can be a valuable asset to a company.
- Believe it or not, being in tech involves more than just technical skills. Companies look for soft skills. Can you communicate well with others? Are you good at explaining complex ideas in a simple manner to someone who is not tech-savvy?
- Even if you were just a waiter your whole life, it still requires you to multitask, communicate with customers, and provide excellent customer service by caring about them and their concerns.
- Anything technical can be learned, but having good soft skills takes time to develop.
3. **Start Applying for Entry-Level Jobs.**
Show how your experience can translate into the tech job you’re applying for.
- Example: Being a waiter and applying for an IT support role. Both roles require you to be good at multitasking, taking orders, giving suggestions, loving to help people, and providing outstanding customer service. If a problem occurs, you know how to talk to the customer to make them happy and resolve the issue.
- Entry-level jobs do not always have to be tech support. There are roles such as Data Center Technician, Server Installer, Software Deployment, Network Engineer Support Associate, Computer/Mobile Device Repair, Telecommunication Installer, Appliance Repair, etc.
- Use resources like ChatGPT to help you write a killer resume.
I live in Washington, and there are a TON of data centers that need a lot of help due to the rise of A.I.
4. **Keep Learning and Network** (making connections with people, not computer networking) lol .
Say you end up not liking cybersecurity and networking catches your attention.
- Keep learning about networking and get another certification like Cisco CCNA.
- Ask people you meet in the field if they like their job and what their day-to-day looks like.
- Message people on LinkedIn who have the job you want, or ask recruiters to link you with someone in the field. You’d be surprised how many people are willing to help. Just ask!
- The more you learn, the more you might end up finding a field you really love. For example, networking can lead to cloud computing.
5. **Work Your Way Up and Do Not Get Discouraged.**
You will get rejected by employers, but don’t give up!
- Even if the job description says "needs 5+ years in IT support," just apply. They might love your soft skills and experiences. Remember, technical skills can be learned.
- Once you land an entry-level job, keep learning without being told to. Build up your knowledge base.
- Keep repeating steps 1-5.
I understand where you are coming from, being young and not sure what to do. I was in the same position as you once.
I spent much of my 20s doing a career in finance I hated and just did it for the money.
I decided to leave and follow my passion in tech with 0 prior IT experience and no college degree.
Best decision of my life!
Just go for it ! Good Luck :)
Here are the steps to break into tech (these are the steps I took to get into tech):
1. **Get a Certification.**
I recommend studying and going for the CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security+.
- Getting a certification is the best way to make yourself stand out from the crowd.
- It shows you are capable of doing the work and you are a self-starter.
- During your studies, you will learn more about IT and possibly find a sector that catches your attention, which you may want to study more (networking, hardware, software, troubleshooting, security, scripting, etc.).
2. **Leverage Your Current Skills.**
We all have something we are good at! Use your previous work experiences to show how you can be a valuable asset to a company.
- Believe it or not, being in tech involves more than just technical skills. Companies look for soft skills. Can you communicate well with others? Are you good at explaining complex ideas in a simple manner to someone who is not tech-savvy?
- Even if you were just a waiter your whole life, it still requires you to multitask, communicate with customers, and provide excellent customer service by caring about them and their concerns.
- Anything technical can be learned, but having good soft skills takes time to develop.
3. **Start Applying for Entry-Level Jobs.**
Show how your experience can translate into the tech job you’re applying for.
- Example: Being a waiter and applying for an IT support role. Both roles require you to be good at multitasking, taking orders, giving suggestions, loving to help people, and providing outstanding customer service. If a problem occurs, you know how to talk to the customer to make them happy and resolve the issue.
- Entry-level jobs do not always have to be tech support. There are roles such as Data Center Technician, Server Installer, Software Deployment, Network Engineer Support Associate, Computer/Mobile Device Repair, Telecommunication Installer, Appliance Repair, etc.
- Use resources like ChatGPT to help you write a killer resume.
I live in Washington, and there are a TON of data centers that need a lot of help due to the rise of A.I.
4. **Keep Learning and Network** (making connections with people, not computer networking) lol .
Say you end up not liking cybersecurity and networking catches your attention.
- Keep learning about networking and get another certification like Cisco CCNA.
- Ask people you meet in the field if they like their job and what their day-to-day looks like.
- Message people on LinkedIn who have the job you want, or ask recruiters to link you with someone in the field. You’d be surprised how many people are willing to help. Just ask!
- The more you learn, the more you might end up finding a field you really love. For example, networking can lead to cloud computing.
5. **Work Your Way Up and Do Not Get Discouraged.**
You will get rejected by employers, but don’t give up!
- Even if the job description says "needs 5+ years in IT support," just apply. They might love your soft skills and experiences. Remember, technical skills can be learned.
- Once you land an entry-level job, keep learning without being told to. Build up your knowledge base.
- Keep repeating steps 1-5.
I understand where you are coming from, being young and not sure what to do. I was in the same position as you once.
I spent much of my 20s doing a career in finance I hated and just did it for the money.
I decided to leave and follow my passion in tech with 0 prior IT experience and no college degree.
Best decision of my life!
Just go for it ! Good Luck :)
Sandeep Dogra
TECHNOLOGIST
4
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Sandeep’s Answer
For an individual interested in IT domain, the career would be an interesting and based on continuous learning. One would also agree that career journey largely depends on the hard work and intelligent work one puts in throughout the career stint.
With last one decade IT growth and current era of IT boom, numerous companies in different sectors such as Manufacturing, services etc. are also transitioning to go digital wherever possible. Thus, though the IT market is competitive, however, sub-sectors such IT transformations, IT services, IT support and IT hardware appear to have robust demand in the coming decade also.
Key aspects to be successful in the IT domain includes being versatile with respect to different understanding technologies, quickly adapting to ever changing technologies and having in-deep command over some key pivotal skills (such as any programming language, architecture coding (such as cloud architecture), knowledge of basics of hardware architecture (such as how multi-processing works, parts of computers, basic flow of information etc.).
For part 2 of the question:
1) As proliferation of computers and digital technology is increasing further rapidly, thus, need to protect the IT systems and ecosystem from vulnerabilities is rapidly increasing, and there appears to be increasing demand for cyber security professional. However, the size of cyber security team per organization may vary. Security is key pillar of any IT system, thus this domain professionals will also be demand (subjective to skill sets).
2) Computer software domain is very broad per se. It encompasses multiple dimensions. It's difficult to summarize understanding in few hundred words but it may be termed as evergreen domain of IT.
3) Networking is very critical and is one of the key domains of IT infrastructure particularly with growing data transmission needs. It's also very broad in nature.
With last one decade IT growth and current era of IT boom, numerous companies in different sectors such as Manufacturing, services etc. are also transitioning to go digital wherever possible. Thus, though the IT market is competitive, however, sub-sectors such IT transformations, IT services, IT support and IT hardware appear to have robust demand in the coming decade also.
Key aspects to be successful in the IT domain includes being versatile with respect to different understanding technologies, quickly adapting to ever changing technologies and having in-deep command over some key pivotal skills (such as any programming language, architecture coding (such as cloud architecture), knowledge of basics of hardware architecture (such as how multi-processing works, parts of computers, basic flow of information etc.).
For part 2 of the question:
1) As proliferation of computers and digital technology is increasing further rapidly, thus, need to protect the IT systems and ecosystem from vulnerabilities is rapidly increasing, and there appears to be increasing demand for cyber security professional. However, the size of cyber security team per organization may vary. Security is key pillar of any IT system, thus this domain professionals will also be demand (subjective to skill sets).
2) Computer software domain is very broad per se. It encompasses multiple dimensions. It's difficult to summarize understanding in few hundred words but it may be termed as evergreen domain of IT.
3) Networking is very critical and is one of the key domains of IT infrastructure particularly with growing data transmission needs. It's also very broad in nature.
Biplab Panda
Engagement Director
50
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Biplab’s Answer
It depends.
In general we're seeing IT jobs trending down from the industry correcting after the pandemic-era boom.
That said, with a focus on cybersecurity, there is a definite need for additional skilled security analysts in the workforce. This is one area that regardless of whether the market goes up or down, the need for incident response and cybersecurity continues to grow.
In general we're seeing IT jobs trending down from the industry correcting after the pandemic-era boom.
That said, with a focus on cybersecurity, there is a definite need for additional skilled security analysts in the workforce. This is one area that regardless of whether the market goes up or down, the need for incident response and cybersecurity continues to grow.
Nicole Cato
Security Partnership Manager
6
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hello Paris. Launching a career in the IT sector is quite straightforward! It's a vast field with numerous opportunities. Here are some tips to guide you:
1. Start by exploring job postings from companies that pique your interest.
2. Familiarize yourself with the various roles and responsibilities in the IT field. Identify what they require, and assess where your current skills fit in, or where you might want to develop further.
3. Based on your areas of interest, seek out internships, specific roles, or certifications that are frequently mentioned in job descriptions. These can be beneficial for your career progression.
4. Consider enrolling in free online courses to gain a basic understanding and experience in your chosen IT field.
1. Start by exploring job postings from companies that pique your interest.
2. Familiarize yourself with the various roles and responsibilities in the IT field. Identify what they require, and assess where your current skills fit in, or where you might want to develop further.
3. Based on your areas of interest, seek out internships, specific roles, or certifications that are frequently mentioned in job descriptions. These can be beneficial for your career progression.
4. Consider enrolling in free online courses to gain a basic understanding and experience in your chosen IT field.
Jordan Lisnow
Tech Entrepreneur
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jordan’s Answer
Here are a few simple ways to shift into a tech-focused job even if you're just starting:
- Think about working at a tech startup: This path gives you plenty to talk about, especially the flexibility needed to work with different tech systems and the whole process of development.
- Come up with and build your own tech startup: Invent a fresh tech startup idea and create a basic working model (MVP) with a bit of help. This gives you practical experience that's really valuable.
You can make these options a reality with www.Partunity.com. This website can help you either create or team up with tech-savvy partners to launch tech startups. It's a top choice for anyone excited to jump into the tech scene.
- Think about working at a tech startup: This path gives you plenty to talk about, especially the flexibility needed to work with different tech systems and the whole process of development.
- Come up with and build your own tech startup: Invent a fresh tech startup idea and create a basic working model (MVP) with a bit of help. This gives you practical experience that's really valuable.
You can make these options a reality with www.Partunity.com. This website can help you either create or team up with tech-savvy partners to launch tech startups. It's a top choice for anyone excited to jump into the tech scene.
Susan Streisand
Cybersecurity Analyst
5
Answers
Middletown, New Jersey
Updated
Susan’s Answer
Dear Paris,
While I may not currently be in a hiring position or actively seeking employment, I firmly believe there's no need to hesitate when considering a career in IT. The field of cybersecurity, in particular, is constantly on the lookout for talented individuals. By obtaining certifications such as Security+ or CSSP, you can distinguish yourself from other job seekers in a powerful way.
Moreover, there's a wealth of online training resources at your disposal. For instance, you can check out https://www.coursera.org/articles/cybersecurity-career-paths for some insightful suggestions. So, go ahead, dive in, and let your journey in the exciting world of IT begin!
While I may not currently be in a hiring position or actively seeking employment, I firmly believe there's no need to hesitate when considering a career in IT. The field of cybersecurity, in particular, is constantly on the lookout for talented individuals. By obtaining certifications such as Security+ or CSSP, you can distinguish yourself from other job seekers in a powerful way.
Moreover, there's a wealth of online training resources at your disposal. For instance, you can check out https://www.coursera.org/articles/cybersecurity-career-paths for some insightful suggestions. So, go ahead, dive in, and let your journey in the exciting world of IT begin!
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1793
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you have interest in technology. You are correct that there are many careers in technology and each have their own knowledge domain and skills.
Below are my suggestions:
1. There are different roles in technology, eg programmer, application support, network administrator, system administrator, database administrator, etc. You can find out more careers online
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have determine what you have interest
3. Attend information sessions hosts by computer science department of colleges
Speak to professors and alumni if you can
4. Find out the entry criteria of computer science course of college
5. Work hard on your academic to meet the entry criteria
In computer science course, you will learn an overview of different technology related careers and skill..
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. There are different roles in technology, eg programmer, application support, network administrator, system administrator, database administrator, etc. You can find out more careers online
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have determine what you have interest
3. Attend information sessions hosts by computer science department of colleges
Speak to professors and alumni if you can
4. Find out the entry criteria of computer science course of college
5. Work hard on your academic to meet the entry criteria
In computer science course, you will learn an overview of different technology related careers and skill..
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Chaitanya Patel
Capture Manager
14
Answers
Bloomfield, New Jersey
Updated
Chaitanya’s Answer
I encourage you to chase the career that brings you joy. In my opinion, no area of IT is too difficult, as long as you're passionate and ready to put in the effort. Just like any field, IT has its good and bad times, but don't let that sway your decision too much. Currently, Cybersecurity and AI are quite popular. Best of luck!
Samuel Apoya
Student
8
Answers
Waterville, Maine
Updated
Samuel’s Answer
First, let's recognize that competition is a reality in nearly every field, not solely in IT. As a software engineer, you might find it a tad challenging to secure positions in large corporations. However, with dedicated preparation for your interviews, continual skill enhancement, and the integration of contemporary techniques into your work, the path to landing a job becomes significantly smoother. It's heartening to note that to truly stand out in the current IT market, it requires ample practice. Remember, consistency is your golden ticket.
Best of luck!
It is necessary that you start practicing for interviews early.
Best of luck!
Samuel recommends the following next steps:
Jordan Lisnow
Tech Entrepreneur
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jordan’s Answer
Breaking into the tech startup world can indeed be challenging, but don't worry, there's a way! If you're eager to gain hands-on experience, you should absolutely explore www.Partunity.com. It's a project-based matching platform specifically designed for the tech industry. Take action now and step into the exciting world of tech startups.
Steve Sterner
IT Management
30
Answers
Easton, Pennsylvania
Updated
Steve’s Answer
Here is my perspective with almost 40 years of IT experience in different disciplines and roles, some aspects are hard and some are easy. Can you find an entry level IT job that pays, absolutely my daughter graduated college and had a job before she went into her senior year and is doing fairly well but (there is always a but) you have to be willing to work for it. My organization has multiple job openings and are always looking for people, but it helps when you can build some experience. By your question I am unsure if you are pursuing college, technical school or trying to get in right out of high school (each is possible but there are significantly harder challenges the lower on the education scale you go in getting your foot in the door). If you are going the college route look for internships during the summer. 2 of my 3 kids had jobs before they went into their Senior year from internships they had, and you get a 10-12 week test drive of the organization. If you are going the Tech School route (and can apply to college as well) find out what placement opportunities they have any partnerships with local companies and talk to your professors/instructors many will have a network that you may not with people that have hiring roles or openings. If you are going the High School route, talk to your guidance counselor and any of the technology teachers (they often know people). If you do go that route you may have to knock a few doors so reach out to the bigger companies let them know you are willing to work and learn, show excitement and energy (for some hiring managers a willingness to learn and youthful energy is a big selling point).
If you can find a company with an early technical career program, I believe is great for young technologists as well as the industry. For us it requires a Technology degree but when you come in you get 3 1-Year rotations through different departments and disciplines and you can truly understand what is entailed in a particular role as well as build up your internal network.
The 2nd part of your question regarding as far as subsections go you will get a feel for many of the particulars and some are easier to get your foot in the door this again can be where local opportunities, willingness to relocate and/or education level may dictate some of what is available. My experience tells me it is not necessarily the role or the specialty it is the willingness to learn, adapt and be open to learn. That last one is important because you will be learning for as long as you're in this industry the only thing that never changes in this industry is everything changes. The discipline you will end up spending a majority of your time may not even be out there yet or matured to the point that it is a discipline. Do your best to get an understanding of the opportunities and disciplines and as you learn and work you will refine where your interests and your opportunities intersect. Finally, do not be afraid that is not the perfect fit as long as you can see upside or opportunity. I stepped into a company taking care of a mini-computer for a 6-month gig back in 1991 and somehow, I am still there and have been fairly successful in multiple roles.
Good Luck!
If you can find a company with an early technical career program, I believe is great for young technologists as well as the industry. For us it requires a Technology degree but when you come in you get 3 1-Year rotations through different departments and disciplines and you can truly understand what is entailed in a particular role as well as build up your internal network.
The 2nd part of your question regarding as far as subsections go you will get a feel for many of the particulars and some are easier to get your foot in the door this again can be where local opportunities, willingness to relocate and/or education level may dictate some of what is available. My experience tells me it is not necessarily the role or the specialty it is the willingness to learn, adapt and be open to learn. That last one is important because you will be learning for as long as you're in this industry the only thing that never changes in this industry is everything changes. The discipline you will end up spending a majority of your time may not even be out there yet or matured to the point that it is a discipline. Do your best to get an understanding of the opportunities and disciplines and as you learn and work you will refine where your interests and your opportunities intersect. Finally, do not be afraid that is not the perfect fit as long as you can see upside or opportunity. I stepped into a company taking care of a mini-computer for a 6-month gig back in 1991 and somehow, I am still there and have been fairly successful in multiple roles.
Good Luck!
Susan Andrews-Esposito
Business Analyst
4
Answers
Naples, Florida
Updated
Susan’s Answer
A career in IT can be incredibly fulfilling, both financially and professionally. The beauty of this field is that each day brings a unique set of challenges and opportunities for growth, given the rapid pace of technological advancements. Breaking into the industry might seem daunting at first, especially when most employers are looking for candidates with 3-5 years of experience amidst the current business uncertainties. However, remember that every expert was once a beginner.
By securing one or more internships during your college years, you can significantly enhance your employability. Not only do internships provide you with invaluable "real-world" experience, but they also allow you to discover the specific areas of IT that captivate your interest and align with your career aspirations.
When crafting your resume, make sure to highlight these internships as they are highly valued by employers, often more so than your GPA. So, don't be disheartened if you're just starting out. With determination, passion, and the right experience, you're well on your way to a successful career in IT.
By securing one or more internships during your college years, you can significantly enhance your employability. Not only do internships provide you with invaluable "real-world" experience, but they also allow you to discover the specific areas of IT that captivate your interest and align with your career aspirations.
When crafting your resume, make sure to highlight these internships as they are highly valued by employers, often more so than your GPA. So, don't be disheartened if you're just starting out. With determination, passion, and the right experience, you're well on your way to a successful career in IT.
Jared Barnard
Program Manager / (former Regional Support Manager)
9
Answers
Spain
Updated
Jared’s Answer
Hi Paris! Interesting question.
I suppose in some ways IT is a competitive market, but there are always open doors. Now, first you have to narrow down what you mean by "IT" and what you're interested in doing. Some define IT solely by infrastructure (networking, security, system engineering, end-user support, etc.) and exclude "Engineering and Development" (aka software design and programming). And to be clear, then can be a lot of overlap because traditional IT organizations have some incredibly talented engineers and developers doing work that is never seen by the "customer" out in public.
So first, think about the things that you really enjoy doing. If you just enjoy working with computers, maybe a good place to start is end-user support. It gives you a LOT of experience troubleshooting problems, understanding infrastructure and isolating possible problem areas, as well as customer service and people skills (there's a real talent in being able to take a complicated and sometimes intimidating topic and help your customer -- likely a fellow employee -- understand in basic everyday terms).
If you find a good company that really cares about the growth of their people, IT Support is often a great entry-level role that can help you get exposure to all the areas within IT and help you discover and focus your skills in an area where you want to grow and create a career.
I suppose in some ways IT is a competitive market, but there are always open doors. Now, first you have to narrow down what you mean by "IT" and what you're interested in doing. Some define IT solely by infrastructure (networking, security, system engineering, end-user support, etc.) and exclude "Engineering and Development" (aka software design and programming). And to be clear, then can be a lot of overlap because traditional IT organizations have some incredibly talented engineers and developers doing work that is never seen by the "customer" out in public.
So first, think about the things that you really enjoy doing. If you just enjoy working with computers, maybe a good place to start is end-user support. It gives you a LOT of experience troubleshooting problems, understanding infrastructure and isolating possible problem areas, as well as customer service and people skills (there's a real talent in being able to take a complicated and sometimes intimidating topic and help your customer -- likely a fellow employee -- understand in basic everyday terms).
If you find a good company that really cares about the growth of their people, IT Support is often a great entry-level role that can help you get exposure to all the areas within IT and help you discover and focus your skills in an area where you want to grow and create a career.
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