Shenanigan
Beta member
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- Location
- USA
Hi everyone,
I'm thinking of moving into an IT field and wanted to see if anyone could help give some advice to a newcomer. I'm a 27 year old working in government relations for a nonprofit in the DC area. Current job is ok but the pay isn't ideal and it took months of applying to finally get it. I had worked as a contractor for the govt before landing here. No real IT experience to speak of, but I did recently pick up my PMP certification (seems to be strongly correlated with this field).
A couple questions on making the switch-
· - Would I need a whole new degree or could I start by taking individual courses and getting certifications?
· - Is there a certain IT specialization I should consider or…more importantly, avoid?
· - One friend in cyber security thought the best way to break in would be to take a class in Linux, a class in networking, and start to learn a programming language (Java?). Is this on the right track?
· - What would be the best way to gain more experience? Pick up an after-hours side job in whatever IT specialization I decide to pursue? Jump right in and take a full-time junior level IT job?
· - Anything else worth considering?
I am motivated about learning a new trade and think I could pick up new skills relatively quickly, though I know I'm already behind the curve.
One last thing- am I looking at this through rose colored glasses? Does the grass just seem greener to me or is this really a field worth entering?
Thanks in advance for any and all help.
I'm thinking of moving into an IT field and wanted to see if anyone could help give some advice to a newcomer. I'm a 27 year old working in government relations for a nonprofit in the DC area. Current job is ok but the pay isn't ideal and it took months of applying to finally get it. I had worked as a contractor for the govt before landing here. No real IT experience to speak of, but I did recently pick up my PMP certification (seems to be strongly correlated with this field).
A couple questions on making the switch-
· - Would I need a whole new degree or could I start by taking individual courses and getting certifications?
· - Is there a certain IT specialization I should consider or…more importantly, avoid?
· - One friend in cyber security thought the best way to break in would be to take a class in Linux, a class in networking, and start to learn a programming language (Java?). Is this on the right track?
· - What would be the best way to gain more experience? Pick up an after-hours side job in whatever IT specialization I decide to pursue? Jump right in and take a full-time junior level IT job?
· - Anything else worth considering?
I am motivated about learning a new trade and think I could pick up new skills relatively quickly, though I know I'm already behind the curve.
One last thing- am I looking at this through rose colored glasses? Does the grass just seem greener to me or is this really a field worth entering?
Thanks in advance for any and all help.