Entry level IT jobs for an old guy

Croatoan

I desperately want out of my current job and don't care about taking a serious pay cut - I'm talking 50% plus if that's what it takes.
I'd like to work in IT Support but have no experience of IT other than a reasonable grasp of computers from using them for a long time, so I fully accept I'm looking at entry level work and a low wage. I would be prepared to take minimum wage if there were genuine prospects of advancement. I don't ever expect to earn what I'm earning now but it's worth it to get out of a job I hate.
I'll also throw into the mix that I'm 53 and have no illusions that any company would view that as a plus point.
I also take on board the fact that qualifications are no substitute for experience, but then there's no way to get that experience without getting taken on in the first place so I reckon the best way to show willing is to get some qualifications first. I earn a reasonable wage at the moment so paying for training isn't necessarily a problem, but as time isn't on my side I don't want to spend years doing a degree via OU or wherever. I also don't want to waste my money if the likelihood of finding a job at the end is at best, minimal - something I accept may be the case.
But if there is some hope I was wondering what qualifications would be best. Talking to the IT guys at work, they say that CCNA and especially security is a good option, they also mentioned Red Hat and MCSE.
To be honest these qualifications are likely too advanced for a beginner, especially one who hasn't a server to practice on, but I was wondering if CCENT or Network+ type quals might be a good place to start?
As I say, I have no way of getting real experience without securing a job so this is an exercise in gaining "book smarts" and showing possible employers that I'm keen and perhaps worth being given a chance at an entry level. I don't expect any qualification learned from a course or books to fully prepare me for the real world as that will take time and practical experience.
Any advice on anything, especially suitable training for someone in my position would be welcomed. Of course I would like a position that might eventually lead to a good wage, but this is much more about finding a job I'd enjoy rather than earnings.
Because of work it's impossible for me to attend regular classes so learning has to be done via books and/or online.

Errata

Think about the competition. It will be very much younger people with qualifications, including degrees, who have been fiddling around with computers since they were kids and gained lots and lots of knowledge. Enough knowledge to hack into American government systems, for example.
You may fancy IT support, but pragmatically I doubt it will fancy you. What else would you fancy doing for a career change?

arathorn

the MTA certification as a starting point. http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mta-certification.aspx


It is something you can build on and give you the opportunity to see if IT is what you are good at.

Croatoan

Errata wrote: »

Think about the competition. It will be very much younger people with qualifications, including degrees, who have been fiddling around with computers since they were kids and gained lots and lots of knowledge. Enough knowledge to hack into American government systems, for example.
You may fancy IT support, but pragmatically I doubt it will fancy you. What else would you fancy doing for a career change?

I know what you're saying, but then again my competition for most jobs in most fields will be from very much younger people with qualifications, many if not most of whom - and certainly if they're US gov hacking standard - will be looking for more money and a higher level of entry than I am just because they're more highly qualified.
I've been fiddling with computers for over 30 years though mostly as a user rather than a hobbyist. I have built and repaired PCs (though don't pretend to be an expert at either) but that market's pretty saturated and unlikely to grow imo, if looking at self-employment. At this time I know next to nothing about support/server/networks type work, hence my question about getting some qualifications.
I agree this isn't a pragmatic thing to do - trying to be happier in one's work is rarely the most pragmatic choice we can make - and am prepared for disappointment. I'd love to do a job I loved for the same money I'm on now, but that's not going to happen, and that being the case I might as well try even if I fail to land a job (as long as it's not too costly to try in the first place). I shan't be walking out of my job unless I've got a job to go to. I'm not that lacking in pragmatism

dandelionclock30

Its very hard to get a job in that line of work, if I were you I'd look towards something you can possibly get into. Not something where there's no hope at all.
Whats your current job?, is there anyway you can do some type of sidestep? or use your existing skills to get something your happier in?

Laurajo_2

Go for it...what have you got to lose?

Do you know anybody already working in the industry? Would they be willing to let you shadow them for a week, or even a day? It would give you a better insight into what the job entails.

Could you get more involved in IT in your current role? We have off site IT people, however even though I'm a tax accountant, through getting involved in new software implementation/new interfaces and server issues I have a better than lay person knowledge of how it all works and have been involved in maintAing the server, running updates and setting up virtual workstations. It all started because the staff were frustrated with never knowing what was going on re IT and wanted a go between, and it developed as it was useful to have someone on site with a bit more knowledge. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't feel I could apply for any job above entry level, but I should imagine it would look good on a cv that at least I've had exposure to it.

There is always reasons not to do something - if no one took a risk, where would we be?

Also, you really don't need to put your age on the cv. And employers are often impressed that people have chosen to change careers, particularly going for a lower wage because it's something they enjoy.

scheming_gypsy

For entry level IT, look at service desk jobs / contracts. You don't need whole lot of IT knowledge as it's mainly answering the phone and raising calls on the helpdesk software.
To be fair you don't actually need any IT knowledge for it as you're not doing any fixes. It gets your foot in the door, some IT on your CV and a grasp of what sort of area you should be looking to improve your IT knowledge in.
courses and degrees don't really do a lot for support jobs though, they look good on paper if the manager isn't technical but they don't actually help you in the job.

getmore4less

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Its very hard to get a job in that line of work, if I were you I'd look towards something you can possibly get into. Not something where there's no hope at all.
Whats your current job?, is there anyway you can do some type of sidestep? or use your existing skills to get something your happier in?

This one angle that might find something depending on your other skills/expertise.

if your profession uses specialist software then QA user testing or customer support is a way into the software suppliers.

Problem is it might be too close to the job you don't like.

agrinnall

Unfortunately I'm afraid that Errata's view is the one that summarises the position best. Entry level IT support really is a young person's game, and while I'm not saying you couldn't do it the chances of you even getting an interview are very low, let alone actually getting a job.

Dunroamin

Laurajo wrote: »

Go for it...what have you got to lose?

50% of his income and the resulting effect on his pension?

dandelionclock30

If your 53 and really hate your job is there anyway you could go part time? or take early retirement? Lots of public sector places want people to take early retirement to save costs etc.