General Discussion - Is it to Late

Author

Is it to Late

ausura

2001-09-24, 9:53 am

I'm a 49 year old, who has been working with computers for almost 20 years. Not until recently did I ever know of anything such as A+, MCSE,CNE,etc,certifications. I recently discovered that I can nolonger do the job that I was performing for 21 years. I've always wanted to work in the IT industry, but thought that it required long hours of study at traditional universities. This was not at all possible with the job I used to have.
Now given light to our persent economy and the recent tragedies, can anyone tell me wheather it is too late for a 50 year old to be entering the IT world?

peterd

2001-09-24, 10:05 am

Hi ausura,

could be, depends on what you know and what you want to do. Do you have 'commercial' experience with computers or have you been using them at home? Companies want commercial experience, certainly those in the UK do.

Bearing in mind that an awefull lot of trained and qualified IT staff have been made redundant this year, what can you offer a potential employer that they can't?

You may have to move to a new area and take the sort of job that the 'flash-boys' wouldn't touch, ie poor conditions or not enough pay.

Sorry to sound so 'down', that's the way it is now. I'm 50 years old though I'm fortunate to have a network engineer job for a food-production company (and everyone always needs food!) but the pay isn't so great. It pays the bills, and I get to do what I want at weekends, so I work on my market stall selling whatever I can get hold of to make the extra money for holidays, etc.

I also think that currently it's a good idea to have some sort of fall-back job in case the worst should happen...

Regards
Peter

mir92

2001-09-24, 10:29 am

Hi ausura,

Go ahead a go after the A+, MCSE ect...
Just be willing to take a job that is low pay, or no one else would take.
You might get lucky land that awsome job.

ben_ice

2001-09-24, 2:51 pm

I agree with the comments from the previous posters. It sounds like your biggest issue is experience. IF it were me, I wouldn't waste a lot of time going to a school for months to get a certification. If you are computer savvy, start off by getting a good Book and test prep software for your A+ certs, get a job as a bench tech. IT isn't great but you should be able to find one. Just be sure to get one where the company will pay for your training, and use that to get your Microsoft and or Cisco certifications. You will have to deal with taking jobs that the "Flashy" guys won't take, but that doesn't mean the job sucks, it just doesn't have the glamor of the fancier jobs. Your quality of work will determine how employable you are from there.

Gundyman

2001-09-24, 7:11 pm

Never too late, but need to think very careful...

Exactly what did you do?

Pavlov

2001-09-24, 7:26 pm

It's NEVER too late!! If computers are something you enjoy, then build a resume around those skills. Certifications will help get you the interviews.

I never list an objective on my resume. I list my "Qualifications". I list my strong PC skills and any OS and applications that I am proficient with. Then I list my experience and highlight those things that I did as a secretary that would lend themselves to a job in tech support. Whatever you've been doing, odds are some part of it will help you be a good tech.

For the record, if you catch on quickly you can advance rapidly in the IT field. In just 4 years I went from a Tech - level I through Tech - level III and am currently a Network Administrator. Just one little success story to help motivate you

slapyomoma

2001-09-24, 7:44 pm

it's never too late. you might have to study a bit harder, but it's never too late. Just keep the questions flowing in this forum or another. The more you ask, the more you will learn.

ninja__kid

2001-09-25, 12:25 am

It is never too late to get into the IT industry, the only thing is though, your most likely going to have to start from the bottom and work your way up just like everyone else (unless you have some other skills that are relevant). I work for HP, and a lot of my peers there are 40+ and just got into the industry a bit ago. So I say, GO FOR IT!!!

stefanw

2001-09-25, 2:51 am

I work with a 67 year old man. He has been doing computers for a long time, and he really has a passion fo them. When he cam to retire at 65, he asked for his retirement present to be to stay on working. And he was allowed to stay!

Never too late!

Kasor

2001-09-25, 7:34 am

Never too late, but expect that you will not make good living on it because most company will not hire elder age people, also fresh to the field. If it is a P/T, that is fine.

There are few factors you might need to consist: Money, time, life and your family.

Good luck

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