Scoty

Hi,

I am interested in a career change into IT.
I have the opertunity to start a course which has a 6 week duration, and covers the general principles of networks and the technology behind them and meets the prerequisites for the Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices (ICND) course which leads to the CCNA qualification.

Do employers look for this qualification, and what pay band would this generally lead to?
Would this qualification on it's own, be good enough to allow me access to a skilled job within the IT industry.
C++ looks to be a well paid job, with plent of prospects for the future.

Scoty

Lust4Life

CCNA is a useful qualification if you have experience to back it up but won't lead to much on it's own.

C++ jobs are well paid but that is because you need a few years to be really good at C++ and that is if you have a talent for it

I wouldn't advise getting into IT for the money these days, you need to have a genuine interest in it and a desire to learn constantly because your skill set will become outdated in a very short period of time relative to other industries.

Cheers,

Phil

MarkO

The market's dead at the moment, and that's for everyone other than top people who've got plenty of relevant commercial experience. Sorry, mate, but the bandwagon left about 4 years ago, and it seems like you weren't on it.

Sheepsplitter

I agree with MarkO, except for the "for everyone other than top people who've got plenty of relevant commercial experience".
In my experience even if you are very very good with loads of experience commercial and otherwiese, if you get layed off because of company issues or whatever you will find the market doesn't lend itself to find employment easily, if at all.
I know plenty of truely excellent people, who in previous years have been headhunted and even paid golden hellos to join companies, when they have been layed off this year, hardly anybody is interested in them, and certainly not for good positions or equal/semi-equal packages.
Things are very bad right now. IT is not a good place to be for stability or job prospects. On the upside though it will improve, but I suspect not until April/May next year when new budgets come in.

Scoty

Thanks guy's,

This is exactically the type of constructive feedback I need.
I have, in the past 4 years, been a Team Leader for a Mobile Comunications hub for Nokia and Motorola. I had the opertunity of working closely with our IT department, and was always very keen to get involved and learn as much as possible as to what the IT support guy's did in their job.
Before than I done my NC in Electronic Engineering. I particularly enjoyed the binary numbers and integgers modules.

Still very keen to get into IT, but not clear on what options are good at the moment.

Thanks guy's

Scoty

[Edited by Scoty - 10/22/2002 2:40:46 PM]

MarkO

Edited 'cos I may not have taken your post in the way you intended.

[Edited by MarkO - 10/22/2002 2:34:29 PM]

Scoty

[Edited by Scoty - 10/22/2002 2:40:05 PM]

DevilChild

Stay away from IT for the next 6 months or so. Try to edge your way in on the management side of things for now - like you say 'work closely to the IT dept'.

Big IT recruitment co's such as Abbeywood - have only done one or two placements a month in the past quarter. That's a recruitment company with over 60 staff.

I think most techies will agree that it is not 'qualifications' that make a good tech-head but experience.

If you're a whizz on a PC now then IT could be for you - if you're not then I'd leave it lie.

beemerboy

I agree with all of the above.

I have been in IT support / Netadmin / management for 8 years
and soon to be made redundant.

Agencies have **** all positions, so i'm going self-employed
contracting.

PS. I can only get away with this from my EXPERIENCE
It's a dangerous industry at present....
not to mention a load of programming houses in India/China etc
where hardcore programmers work for 5 grains of rice or something....

just a thought!! not to discourage your ambitions...

good luck BB

GaryK

Yep and aint that doing great things to the IT industry here, o coupled with the (until recently) fast track visas for IT people.

Me, bitter? nah

Gary

Devil's Refugee

If you're close to the IT side, but still sit with the business, try switching over to Business Analysis mate.
You could try to rework your CV in this vein and see what happens. Nothing ventured and all that....I could have a look at your cv if you want, just drop me a line.

I agree with the comments above, the market is dead and any qualification without at least a years experience is worthless.
There are loads of folks who are attending these "magical" boot camps to get a CCNA/MCSE/MCSA in 2 weeks, but they wouldn't have a clue what to do in the real world.

Programming is great fun, but again, getting in is tough as ****.

Jodster

With your background you should study and get qualifications in ITIL Management techniques.
Now that the rush for security specialists is dying down, everywhere I know seems to be looking to introduce ITIL standards before the next big period of IT growth.
I'm hearing it mentioned more and more these days and will be the next big thing, imo.

Scooby Dooby Blue

Sorry to hijack Scoty

I'm studying towards a degree at the moment with a view to do my honours in Application Development.
Anyone have an opinion on whether this is the way to go as it's not too late to change.
C++ etc. is featured heavily at the moment and I quite enjoy the programming. Someone mentioned there is decent money in this...is it likely to continue?
Any (constructive) advice appreciated.

Paul

MarkO

Go for it. C++ still has a few years left in it, workwise, so it's a good language to learn. Also, if you can master C++, then Java, C#, and even VB will come easily.

You may not be able to walk straight into a job with the market the way it is (particularly until you've got a bit of experience), but things will get better, and by doing the course you'll get a good grounding in a commercial development language. Short-term, C++ development work is thin on the ground, but I can't see it failing to be a lucrative skill in the medium to long-term.

GaryK

Yep would agree C++ is still a great skill to have. C++ developers who *truly* know their stuff are thin on the ground. It maybe a smaller market than something like VB but its all relative: there are alot less people chasing C++ jobs.

Gary

Devil's Refugee

C++ is always a good choice. Stick with it. It's a good platform for learning Java later too.
Why not go into Games Programming.....

Scooby Dooby Blue

Thanks for the advice chaps... i've been giving it a bit of thought and programming seemed to be the way forward.
Abertay seems to have an excellent gaming degree that i'll look further into although it's not something i can envisage myself becoming passionate about.

Paul

Michael Robinson

Not sure if it is of any use, but the IT industry in the Isle of Man is still very strong. Employment over here is very easy with us having negitive unemployment figures. The pay over here is good, but then living costs are high. I have no doubt that with something as simple as a MCP you would find a secure job over here.