Career in IT? Never too late?

[gav]

If hypothetically, someone was in their mid 40's and decided bollocks to this, I'd like to give IT a crack as a career, what would someones best options be? Hypothetically, of course ....

If you like to PM me I could pass this info on, hypothetically ......

If "they" did a course, would they tend to be overlooked for younger graduates come time when they were chasing a new position? How long and what would it cost to get some sort of qualification to suit?

Thanks!

[James Deuce]

Don't do it. Get a job working in a gas station. If you want to be humiliated, over worked, under paid, treated like a retard and abused by colleagues, employers, and clients alike the IT is for you.

[bobsmith]

What area of IT are you interested in? What's your previous experience? How "academic" are you?

[YellowDog]

Don't do it. Get a job working in a gas station. If you want to be humiliated, over worked, under paid, treated like a retard and abused by colleagues, employers, and clients alike the IT is for you.

Hey, some of us like all that good kinky stuff!

But IT is a huge field. Tinkering with PCs and laying cables is IT as well as the more complex development project work.

Anyone can be in IT. The older you are the better generally however that is assuming OLD = EXPERIENCED. It can be tough for a newby to get a junior job to enable them to get experience. I guess it depends on how keen the person is and also whether they have an aptitude for the subject.

Microsoft is by far the easiest route and you can get a globally recognised qualification by ticking a few boxes.

Tell them to buy a book on MS-Visual Studio to see if it is as interesting as they thought it might be And wish them the best of luck from me :-)

[James Deuce]

It's shit. It's digging electronic ditches. Most clients see no value in what you do because they have a nephew/son/daughter/niece who is really good on a Wii and can connect to the Internet from home. Doesn't matter if it's a Ma & Pa PC shop or a corporate IT company providing service in the order of multi million dollar contracts, you're constantly on the back foot and every aspect of your performance critiqued because everybody who uses a PC thinks they are an Infrastructure/Database/Network expert and IT people get paid far too much for what they do.

Don't do it gav. It sucks. Going into IT 22 years ago seemed to hold the promise of an interesting well paid future, but the reality is everyone I deal with thinks I'm a socially retarded Dilbert cartoon refugee. Last night I had to get up at 3:30am to extend a Logical RAID partition. My boss just rang to ask where I am.

If you want to be overworked and experience extreme levels of disrespect then go into IT. You'll love it.

[avgas]

If "they" did a course, would they tend to be overlooked for younger graduates come time when they were chasing a new position?

In NZ? what are you kidding - employers dont look at qualifications here mater - they see how old you are, then make that your percentage of being hired. At 40% you could easily get hired for an IT position, even without qualification.
Something about bullshit work experience and your in.
[Spoken Bitterly]
As if HR give a damn if your qualified - only if your old enough (45 seems to be a peak of old enough)

[jrandom]

Like Jim2 says, working in 'IT' can be pretty crap.

Which is why I make a living as a computer programmer instead, writing software for companies that sell software products.

I've always enjoyed it, too, but the standard way of getting into that profession is to do a three-year BSc majoring in computer science, which you might not have the inclination to bash your way through at this stage.

[vifferman]

But IT is a huge field.

Yup.
I've been a Systems Mangler (hardware and software); support services supervisor (installing s/w and training users, writing manuals, running a users group); a contract programmer/support person; a documenter/installer/tester/trainer, and now (for the last 8 or 9 years) a technical writer (user manuals ) / professional KB contributor.

[CookMySock]

if you live in a little town, and no one is doing it, then sure - you can fix their peecee's and hook up their networx, and maybe earn 20 g a year doing it.

Too many people are doing it now.

Unless you can find a niche somewhere.. perhaps using some non-IT skills you already have. What else can you do ?

DB

[Drunken Monkey]

What Jim2 says is simultaneously a genuine truth and a complete load of bollocks. It's hard to explain. If you can understand what I'm trying to say, you might have a chance, otherwise best you stay away for the sake of your own sanity. And health.

[Pex Adams]

Don't do it. Get a job working in a gas station. If you want to be humiliated, over worked, under paid, treated like a retard and abused by colleagues, employers, and clients alike the IT is for you.

Is this another Mod bashing tread

[marioc]

I work for a large Govt IT dept ,I love my job and if you prove you are sharp,the sky is the limit.
Dont know about the corporate environment though I suspect that is quite different.
Good IT people are in huge demand right now especially in the areas of network/security which is what I do.
If you have an interest in it go for it!

[Usarka]

Have a read of Nicholas Carr's book/article...... generated plenty of debate around the future of IT....

[James Deuce]

I work for a large Govt IT dept ,I love my job and if you prove you are sharp,the sky is the limit.
Dont know about the corporate environment though I suspect that is quite different.
Good IT people are in huge demand right now.
If you have an interest in it go for it!

You're 12 aren't you? Let me know when the reality hits and I'll help you get through it. Lots of riding works,

[Krayy]

OTOH, I get paid a shedload of cash for doing my hobby. The only thing that stuffs it up is the level of responsibility (computers crash, planes don't fly) and the continual tap on the shoulder with another "high priority job".

Experience does count for a lot though (23 years in my case).

In truth if you do want to get into the area, if you have people management skills, try for a supervisory position that has little technical knowledge requirement. To most IT professionals less than 30, a suit is something you spill drinks on at a wedding (and optionally throw up). Then learn by osmosis.

Unfortunately, you'll need to go corporate to do this, in which case see Jims rant above (he should have remained a chef - he swears enough for it).