Advice on getting into IT after redundincy

Totoriko

What about getting MCSA, MCSE, MCP qualifications? You can do that on your own at home and just take up the exams. I've never done it but I'm sure someone here can provide more details on these.
It could be a starting point.

hobo28

Hi Cyber

I think its important when deciding on a career in IT to think about what you want to do and how much your likely to earn. Whether its enough of course will depend a lot on what you did earn and your outgoings.

I'll list what I think the earning brackets are for the more common IT jobs. Of course there will be exceptions and it depends on the area but it may at least give you a guideline to see if you think its worth it in the long run

1st Level support (ie. helpdesk/desktop support) £10k - £15k
2nd Level support (ie. more technical, less battery hen environment) £15k - £22k
3rd Level support (ie. technical specialist - depends on area of knowledge) £22k - £35k
IT Manager (small company) £15k - £25k
IT Manager (medium/large company) £25-£50k
IT Strategy/IT architect/IT director - £35k - £60k

Now I reckon with the right attitude/skills and breaks you can move from 1st to 2nd line support in about a year and after three years of the right experience I think you'd be very marketable.

The best advice I would give you is start off at the bottom. Keep trying to get into a decent IT firm such as an IT reseller (not PCWorld!). Thats a sure fire way of getting lots of experience as you will be always on the cutting edge of technology and be exposed to a lot of different customers so see how different companies do things differently.

I would still argue that IT is a better industry to get into than many many others. Offshoring is a constant worry but as long as you have the right attitude and remain flexible then I don't think there's much to worry about.

cybershot_2

well where i was working i was on around the £15,000 mark.

Totoriko

Not really IT but how about becoming an air traffic controller?
Training fully provided with 10k per annum + monthly £500 living expenses while you are being trained. Pay reaches up to £75k for a fully qualified ATC. You need to pass 3 tests to join their training programme
https://www.nats.co.uk

hobo28

cybershot wrote:

well where i was working i was on around the £15,000 mark.

Ok, so I would say that within 2-3 years if things go well then you should expect a far better salary than that.

Like I say though, a lot depends on where you live, the availability of jobs, your attitude and indeed aptitude for the industry.

When I started off in IT and that was twelve years ago I was on £12k. I took a paycut to join a good IT firm to £10.5k but after three years there I left to join a bigger IT firm for £25k + car. Those were during the IT hay days tho but even now I'd say its still achievable.

The thing to accept is that it will take time.

cybershot_2

well thankyou so far for some really sound advice

fgaughan

Totoriko wrote:

What about getting MCSA, MCSE, MCP qualifications? You can do that on your own at home and just take up the exams. I've never done it but I'm sure someone here can provide more details on these.
It could be a starting point.

That doesn't guarantee a job though

hobo28

fgaughan wrote:

That doesn't guarantee a job though

Of course it doesn't but its better to have those qualifications than not.

You can probably study for MCSE/MCP buy purchasing some books over the Internet, some study guides readily available off the Internet and a copy of Virtual PC which is free from Micro$oft. Oh and time of course.

fgaughan

hobo28 wrote:

Of course it doesn't but its better to have those qualifications than not.

You can probably study for MCSE/MCP buy purchasing some books over the Internet, some study guides readily available off the Internet and a copy of Virtual PC which is free from Micro$oft. Oh and time of course.

I have those qualifications and a A+ , but still don't get the job.
How many diplomas do people need I got 7 .
Like I said in prevous post.. if you have a disabilty forget quilifications .

nickmack

hobo28 wrote:

The best advice I would give you is start off at the bottom. Keep trying to get into a decent IT firm such as an IT reseller (not PCWorld!). Thats a sure fire way of getting lots of experience as you will be always on the cutting edge of technology and be exposed to a lot of different customers so see how different companies do things differently.

I would still argue that IT is a better industry to get into than many many others. Offshoring is a constant worry but as long as you have the right attitude and remain flexible then I don't think there's much to worry about.

Some good advice hobo. The company is extremely important. It depends on your personal preference whether you prefer working for a small or large company. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Another factor is whether you work for an IT company or for a company doing an IT job.

I've worked for both Small and Large, IT and non-IT companies and it's just about where you feel most comfortable.

Wages are a constant hot potato on the IT industry. As many other posters have stated, the market has somewhat saturated since the turn of the century. It's not the easy money that it was. Many people work pretty hard to make a decent wage. Big companies tend to pay more for a similar role.

hobos wage structure is a decent representation, but as he says it's difficult to specify for every role/company.

For example, I now work for a large company, my job encompasses all levels of support from 1st to 3rd in a specific product. So I answer calls from customers (1st) but take cases through to conclusion using specialist knowledge (3rd). My salary is more than most 3rd line support people because it's a large company and the role is not in the traditional support model. I've moved from a similar role in a smaller company and got a £15k pay hike.

I know plumbers, electricians and other trademen of a similar age who left school with little in the way of qualifications and earn the same as me. With the amount of new houses constantly being built, trades are in demand.