I have been asked by many people how I started my career in Information Technology (IT). They want to know how to earn a comfortable wage for themselves, their children, or their family members. The conversation usually starts of casually and then snowballs into a million questions:
- Is it hard to learn?
- Which sector of IT pays the most?
- How long will it take to learn?
- How much will my initial salary be?
My response is different for everyone. Why? Because everyone is different. There are an infinite number of variables to consider to accurately address those questions. However, all is not lost. There is a starting point for you. Put your proverbial foot down and move forward one step at a time.
Before you even take that first step, ask yourself, “what type of person am I.” What do I mean by that? Your personality type matters if you want to maximize your potential in the IT field. For example, introverts tend to prefer one-on-one engagements or time alone. Whereas extroverts tend to seek out attention and flourish in populated environments. I am an ambivert. I prefer one-on-one engagements but am not bothered by large crowds. No matter what type you are, there are sectors within IT that cater to that personality while allowing you to still thrive within the occupation.
Once you have embraced your type, then you can choose what sector in IT you want to pursue. This is where the fun begins! For those of you who prefer more “me” time, Here are some career fields in IT that you may like:
- Computer Systems Analyst. In short, they analyze the content and flow of data. There may be an initial collaboration requirement in group environments to understand the needs of the producers and consumers. That can be managed via virtual meeting environments or teleconferences.
- Database Administrator. They are the architect of systems that retrieve and store data.
- Cybersecurity Analyst. In short, they safeguard data. They remain aware of any potential security breaches and apply mitigation strategies if required.
- Computer Programmer. They create computer software. They are also known as a software developer or coder.
- Web Developer. They are programmers that develop and maintain websites or web applications. They also may initially start on a team but can be lost in individual coding, debugging, and monitoring binges for extended periods of time.
- Network Engineer. They are the bridge builder of computer networks. There structures are created by building and connecting Local Area Networks (LAN) and Wide Area Networks (WAN)
The sky is the limit as an IT extrovert or ambivert! Your social inhibitions will not deter the availability of IT occupations that await your entry. Now that you picked which IT field you want to focus on, let’s answer the question on how to learn your skill. Better yet, how can you learn it at little to no cost? Here are some FREE online tech training courses for beginners to help you kick-start your way into a satisfying career:
- Code Academy offers 12 free coding classes in programming languages such as Python, Ruby, Java, JavaScript, HTML, Sass and CSS. The courses offer hands-on experience and real-time feedback from peers.
- Coursera offers courses on the fundamentals of programming and you can choose from a long list of programming languages to learn such as Python, C and Java. If you feel the need for advanced level courses, they have certificate courses at reasonable prices.
- EdX is a massive open online course (MOOC) educational provider with university-level courses developed by schools, nonprofit organizations and corporations. These programs are offered for free to users. Universities such as Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
- Udemy is another great online learning platform that offers free courses in programming, networking and cybersecurity.
- Khan Academy offers free computer science and programming courses for children and adults.
Now you have the who (you), the what (IT), the when (NOW), the where (online), the why (money/career), and how (courses). This will get you started for free assuming you have access to the internet and a pinch of will and determination to see it through! If you’re willing to invest some monetary resources into your future, then pursue an entry level certification your preferred field of IT. Here are some industry standard entry level certifications that employers prefer to see on your resume in the security and networking fields:
The Computing Technology Industry Association (COMPTIA) is an American non-profit trade association, issuing professional certifications for the information technology industry. It is considered one of the IT industry’s top trade associations
- A+ certified professionals support core technologies such as security, cloud, and data management.
- Network + covers troubleshooting, configuring, and managing networks.
- Security + is a global security certification that validates the baseline skills required to perform core security functions.
Guess what? You have been given unique insight to jump start your career in IT. Use the information above to navigate your preferred path of IT. I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” This concludes your fishing lesson. Now go out there and catch your new IT career!