Where to start in IT?

[ireland381]

I apologize off the bat if this has been asked a lot; I poked through the forums a bit but didn't find any exact answers/ideas for my dilemma.

I'm a career changer looking to get into the IT field; I have a B.S. in chemistry, a masters in Teaching and I've been teaching high school for the last four years.

I'm looking into online degree programs (probably Western Governors University), but as everyone here says experience is the best way to break into the industry, I'm trying to find a way to do that while I'm in school.

I have virtually no official computer experience, so I have no idea where to start... does anyone have any ideas for part-time/full-time jobs that would help me get my foot in the door? I really have no idea where to start!

[vass0922]

I'd say break your home machine a lot, fix it.. reinstall OS from scratch etc.

Then look at local businesses to see if they need some desktop technician work.. many times its lower pay, low hours.. but its experience and something to put on the resume.

I got in by working in a warehouse refurbishing credit card machines.. I volunteered to work extra hours of my own time with the network admin of the company to do IT chores for the experience.

If you teach at a HS, as I'm sure you know many times their equipment is outdated and poorly maintained.. maybe offer their IT guy to help out on occasion after school if you're not the IT guy already.

[theGlitch]

The way I got into IT was with a BS in computer science. While getting the BS I used my university's intern/coop program to find whatever internship I could find; which lead to my current job.

I would also consider looking to ITIL certification. It's a hard class/test, so wait until you've gotten your feet significantly wet before even considering it.

But I agree with Vass... dick around with your personal computer. Learn an OS (not necessarily windows: i.e. AS400, Linux, Unix). Learn a computer language (i.e. Java). Once you have those down start branching and playing. The more you know about a computer and how it works the better you will seem for any IT position

[nemowolf]

I would start by getting yourself an extra machine so that when you break something and don't know whats wrong, you can still get online.

I would recommend starting with books on the A+ certification. You will get yourself a good foundation and may spark you in a direction. Without any knowledge of the field and its specialties, it really becomes about building the foundation first. Unlike many of your students who grew up with computers, you have a disadvantage of not having it be second nature to use them.


I would disagree with Glitch on the process as learning an OS and Programming is not something you need to look at just yet. That will come down the road when your ready or you need to learn. Start with the basics and get that down first. Ive been working in IT for 3 years and i dont program and Windows is the only OS i need

[SeanC]

Learn about virtualization (vmware, etc) and learn how to create virtual machines on your PC so you can have more then one system to "play" with and you won't mess with your system. That way if you break the virtual machine, your main system will still be fine.

[PoonDoggy]

This may be of some use to you:

Free Online MIT Course Materials | Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | MIT OpenCourseWare