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| dawsey 2004-08-16, 1:16 pm |
| hi all
am i old,
i'm trying to get a job as pc tech, passed my a+ a month ago, now studying n+, then mcsa.
i'm 37, worked in retail all my long life and after a long time away from work due to illness, decided to change careers, but finding it hard to find work, has anyone out there been in the same situation and succeeded, as i would love to here of it, i need inspiration
thanks
dawsey | |
| sandy7000 2004-08-16, 1:34 pm |
| I'm 36 in 3 weeks..changed from radio to IT. I really miss being the go-to person that others tap for info because you've become so proficient. I guess I miss the professional reputation the most.
As for finding work, yep, it's hard to break in. Did you think about something like Best Buy or Circuit City until you can get a better job? I wish I could, but even those jobs are 60 miles away.
If you have a family to support, though, it can be rough and not a great option to take a low paying job. | |
| sandy7000 2004-08-16, 1:37 pm |
| Oops..just saw the U.K. Not many Best Buys over there right now..
Hang in there. If it doesn't get easier, at least eventually, you can get used to it.  | |
| dawsey 2004-08-16, 2:48 pm |
| to be 36 again, what joy
shame it's all down hill after that
hope you have a happy birthday | |
| enforcer 2004-08-16, 3:19 pm |
| Feeling old?
go find a nice yourself a 20 something girl. 
Oh PS just turned 39, moved into IT 5 years ago, also from a 'lifetime' in retail.
I got lucky, someone I knew who was in retail, knew of my 'hobby' and knowledge from and when a postion came up where he worked, he put in a good word.  | |
| sandy7000 2004-08-16, 6:05 pm |
| quote:
Feeling old?
go find a nice yourself a 20 something girl.
I prefer 20-something boys, but I guess it's the thought that counts. Thanks for the thought, e. | |
| enforcer 2004-08-16, 6:11 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by sandy7000
I prefer 20-something boys, but I guess it's the thought that counts. Thanks for the thought, e.
Ooooh!, now you've got me thinking  | |
| sandy7000 2004-08-16, 11:48 pm |
| quote:
Ooooh!, now you've got me thinking
Not a good thing, huh, e?
On a more serious note..
quote:
to be 36 again, what joy
shame it's all down hill after that
hope you have a happy birthday
Hey Dawsey, when you say that, I hear a guy that's been through some stuff that wasn't his choice. That can be pretty discouraging.
I ended up with acute coronary syndrome after a heart infection after a head cold last winter. That's why I landed here. I'm substituting several cert exams for a class I can't take.
ANYway, I think the hardest part is to gain some sense of control over what you really can't control. When it's not your choice, what do you do with all that frustration? For me, I've been struggling w/ choosing not to hate & to let go of the choices others made for me.
I just wanted you to know Dawsey, that I hear what you're saying. One of the hardest things to do as an older person is start over. Another is to go through illness. There's so much you want to be able to do, but you can't.
What's one small thing that can help you feel you're in control of your life..just something small? I think getting A+ is really great step in the way you want to go.
Sandy
"And now back to regularly scheduled programming..."
Okay, somebody say something smarty.. | |
| enforcer 2004-08-17, 6:47 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by sandy7000
"And now back to regularly scheduled programming..."
Okay, somebody say something smarty..
code:
Private Sub read_remote_playlists()
' playlistcount = position in path array for next directory
' drive2 = drive and path to look for directories
' path() = array containing folders and paths
playlistcount = 1
FileName = Dir(remotepath + "*.", vbDirectory)
If FileName <> "." And FileName <> ".." And (GetAttr(remotepath + FileName) And vbDirectory) = vbDirectory Then
playlists(playlistcount) = FileName + "\"
playlistcount = playlistcount + 1
End If
While FileName <> ""
FileName = Dir()
If FileName <> "." And FileName <> ".." And (GetAttr(remotepath + FileName) And vbDirectory) = vbDirectory Then
playlists(playlistcount) = FileName + "\"
playlistcount = playlistcount + 1
End If
Wend
playlistcount = playlistcount - 1
End Sub
| |
| peterd 2004-08-17, 8:03 am |
| Hi Guys,
I'm 53 in a couple of days and although I have an OK-ish job I have an interview tomorrow for a great! job...
and I'm rather feeling the stress right now.
<deep breath...pats chest...'keep going ya bugger'...>
I know it's hard to change your career, I did it about 12 years ago. All I can suggest is to keep going!
Keep banging out the job applications because someone, somewhere, is looking for a worker with your skills and experience, no matter how great or small you may feel these to be!
Regards
Peter | |
| Freddy 2004-08-17, 11:09 am |
| Don't feel too bad, I was 40 when I started in IT. I rose to the top fast and have been there ever since. Don't give up because of your age. | |
| sandy7000 2004-08-17, 4:38 pm |
| That was so awesome, guys. I'm inspired!
quote:
While FileName <> ""
FileName = Dir()
If FileName <> "." And FileName <> ".." And (GetAttr(remotepath + FileName) And vbDirectory) = vbDirectory Then
playlists(playlistcount) = FileName + "\"
playlistcount = playlistcount + 1
End If
Wend
playlistcount = playlistcount - 1
End Sub
In your case, enforcer, it's not the thought, but the program in vb that counts! Where did you get that from? | |
| dawsey 2004-08-17, 5:43 pm |
| thanks to all who replied,
it's a new dawn,
it's a new day,
and i'm feeling good
 | |
| enforcer 2004-08-17, 6:05 pm |
| quote:
Originally posted by sandy7000
That was so awesome, guys. I'm inspired!
In your case, enforcer, it's not the thought, but the program in vb that counts! Where did you get that from?
It's part of the program I wrote to automatically update my playlist from my server at home to the PC in the car through WiFi when I park in the drive | |
| sandy7000 2004-08-17, 10:34 pm |
| Wow! I'm very impressed! You have your own mobile radio station. Did you know you can buy a low power FM antenna at Radio Shack for $500 (last I heard)?
We were once going to start a Hmong (Southeast Asian) radio station when low power FMs were briefly allowed in the US. However, the big dogs fought & won against low power fms.
If it ever comes back, we could work out of a car! Talk about low budget.
Oh, by the way, how do you handle the power? Doesn't the battery run down on the car, or do you power down after the update is complete? | |
| enforcer 2004-08-18, 6:15 am |
| WiFi, is wireless LAN.
At the moment it's just a standard PC running off an inverter. When then Engine is off the PC is off.
However version 2 will have a 12 DC input ATX power supply with has an auto shutdown with timer, so I can set it to power down upto an hour aftyer the engine has stopped. Battery should still be good enough for a crank. | |
| sandy7000 2004-08-18, 12:35 pm |
| quote:
WiFi, is wireless LAN.
Thanks for stating it so respectfully, but I already knew that.
It would be interesting to add a low power FM antenna to the mix. You already have a playlist & a pc that can run audio. All you need is an antenna & small transmitter to send it out over the air waves. You could create your own small radio station until the police shut you down.
I'm not sure if I'm telling the story correctly, but there used to be "pirate radio" in the 60's in Great Britain. Illegal (?) radio stations used to go off shore & broadcast from boats. Does anyone remember that?
(I read the story in a radio trade mag, so I don't know if it was embellished. To rebel against authority is so....American.)
ANYway, off to work. | |
| dawsey 2004-08-19, 5:38 am |
| radio caroline, off the coast of portsmouth i think | |
| peterd 2004-08-19, 7:46 am |
| Hi,
Thames Estuary?
She was low power and and about 120 miles away so we could just get a signal in Cleethorpes...depending on the weather...
We got Radio Veronica much better and she was stationed about 300 miles away off the Dutch coast!
Regards
Peter | |
| bearing 2004-08-19, 7:52 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by enforcer
Battery should still be good enough for a crank.
You're into Dogging aswell as Carputers then matey? | |
| sandy7000 2004-08-19, 9:42 am |
| quote:
Thames Estuary?
She was low power and and about 120 miles away so we could just get a signal in Cleethorpes...depending on the weather...
We got Radio Veronica much better and she was stationed about 300 miles away off the Dutch coast!
Wow! Cool. I'll do a google on it now that I have a name or two. I wasn't ever sure that story was the full truth.
Yeah, low power FMs are pretty dismal in regards to signal. FMs in general are pretty limited due to line of sight. AMs actually are so much better in regards to signal strength..BUT I'm preaching to the choir. I'll quit.
What was the programming like?
P.S...I found info on Radio Caroline..an AM. Here's the link http://www.radiocaroline.co.uk/History.htm | |
| jkhnwspec 2004-08-19, 10:24 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by enforcer
However version 2 will have a 12 DC input ATX power supply with has an auto shutdown with timer, so I can set it to power down upto an hour aftyer the engine has stopped. Battery should still be good enough for a crank.
You could try a different type of battery in your BMW, if the BMW design allows for that. Such as one of these.
Probably already thought of that and they are a bit pricey. | |
| bearing 2004-08-20, 3:39 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by jkhnwspec
You could try a different type of battery in your BMW, if the BMW design allows for that. Such as one of these.
Probably already thought of that and they are a bit pricey.
Mmmmmmmmmm Optima batteries. | |
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| sandy7000 2004-08-20, 9:35 am |
| quote:
...seeing as you started talking about FM antennas, I thought you had got wrong end of stick. Which as we all know can be painful
I'm enjoying the discussions Bearing & Jkhnwspec have brought up.. I have nothing sharp to add, but would love to hear more.
What about putting a separate battery & alternator in? (Like I said, I don't have anything brilliant to add.) | |
| enforcer 2004-08-20, 10:46 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by sandy7000
What about putting a separate battery
like having a tank circuit then? | |
| jkhnwspec 2004-08-20, 10:55 am |
| Seems to me that dawsey's thread has been hijacked...
I do hope dawsey is still feeling much better.
I like to think of it as we age, we are like fine wine, we only get better with age. Midway through my forties myself and although I don't feel as sprite as I did when in my teens and twenties, I feel other things have taken their place that, in some ways, have me feeling better about myself than I did when younger. | |
| enforcer 2004-08-20, 10:59 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by jkhnwspec
Seems to me that dawsey's thread has been hijacked...
Never!!!! | |
| bearing 2004-08-20, 11:24 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by sandy7000
What about putting a separate battery & alternator in? (Like I said, I don't have anything brilliant to add.)
Grand idea there me darling. No need for an extra alternator though just needs to set up a lovely computer controlled split charging system and Robert's your mothers brother. | |
| bearing 2004-08-20, 11:26 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by jkhnwspec
I feel other things have taken their place that, in some ways, have me feeling better about myself than I did when younger.
Blimey, puberty has certainly hit you late.
.
.
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.
.
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TAXI for Mr. Bearing | |
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| sandy7000 2004-08-20, 3:36 pm |
| quote:
Grand idea there me darling. No need for an extra alternator though just needs to set up a lovely computer controlled split charging system.
Sounds good to me.. I'll add something to this thread when I figure out what you just said.
quote:
Seems to me that dawsey's thread has been hijacked...
Business as usual on EN. At least it relates to IT.
quote:
...and although I don't feel as sprite as I did when in my teens and twenties, I feel other things have taken their place that, in some ways, have me feeling better about myself than I did when younger.
Amen! If I had to give up what I've learned in order to be 23 again, I would rather stay 36. | |
| jclaxon 2004-08-22, 12:01 pm |
| I'm 35 and trying to find work in IT. I'll have my AAS in Information Systems in December. However, there are no jobs in my area. But, it is HARD to break into IT. I'll keep going to school though. Hopefully, a bachelor's degree will help .. or a Masters. Like you, I worked in retail .. and in customer service .. and just recently ... restaurant work. I quit that job after 3 months (I was a server at a local restaurant, that had no business, and treated their employees like dirt). Now, I'm back at home, trying to live off my student loans and grants .. but I'm not gonna give up. Eventually, I'll land a job in IT somewhere. | |
|
| Only 66% of America's workforce is currently employed today, that's a hard fact that lies one line below the "actively seeking..." line.
The unemployed IT folks are not going to see any appreciable improvement unless the malware and virus situation get's so bad that it mandates 2 machines on each desk. One for internal resources and one for email and web access.
On-site PC techs in DC today are currently being taken in at between 11-14 per hour with certifications. They must provide their own car, insurance and fuel in most cases.
Rent outside the flying bullet zones runs 1000.00 or so per month for a one bedroom apartment, no utitlities included. A decent dependable car running all around town costs 4,000.00-6,000.00 per year.
These ARE the facts.
Retraining our workforce for high tech sector jobs isn't working.
NEXT! | |
| jclaxon 2004-08-22, 8:22 pm |
| So, the U.S. is at a 34% unemployment rate? And onsite PC techs in DC only make $11-14/hr? I'm not scrutinizing you or anything, but your post sounds like it was copied and pasted from some half-XXX report on CNN.com. Ah, either way, I suppose I should quit school immediately, try to get my $2.20/hr server gig back, and say to hell with IT ... LOL so much for being optimistic! BTW, since when did "onsite" mean having to travel all the time? I mean, if these are indeed "the FACTS", I sure would like to know where ya got 'em | |
|
| Oh Nooo
The official unemployment rate is 5.5%
Now this is the rate that is generated through criteria as yet to be accurately published or tracked for that matter by the DoL.
DoL's OWN figures state that the rate of employed persons ELIGABLE ie: citizens, green card holders and those not collecting SS/SSI etc is at 66.5% to be EXACT!
As far as the other FACTS go, all anyone need do is tour the job posting boards and make the inquiries.
You really should do more research before you post here, yours was not very insightful, accurate or becoming ,,,even. | |
| jclaxon 2004-08-22, 8:59 pm |
| You're right ... my post " ... was not very insightful, accurate or becoming ,,,even."
So, I dug this up from the same place you get your info ... Gotta love the buruea of labor statistics ...
"Computer support specialists and systems administrators are projected to be among the fastest growing occupations over the 2002-12 period. Job prospects should be best for college graduates who are up to date with the latest skills and technologies; certifications and practical experience are essential for persons without degrees. Median annual earnings of computer support specialists were $39,100 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,760 and $51,680. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,060, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $67,550."
-From http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos268.htm
"Just the facts, maam. Just the facts"
-LA Confidential | |
|
| The currently eligible employment figures cover all citizens over the age of 18 and green card holders. Not covered are those on SS/SSI. Many are in school. However, last month there were only ABOUT 32,000 new jobs. That does nothing because once you factor the jobs lost for the month you have less.
According to DoL's OWN figures 66.5% of the current eligible workforce is employed.
Every semester hundreds of thousands of new employment candidates graduate college putting even more pressure on the downward spiraling IT wages. The only ones hyping IT are the ones whose own livelihoods depend on doing just that.
The unemployment figures are gathered primarily through the figures collected from people actively collecting unemployment. They (DoL)SAY that there are other statistics looked at as well, but once you start researching the DoL's methods you hit the wall rather quickly.
Bottom line, if you aren't collecting unemployment you are probably not being counted as unemployed.
I wouldn't take this too hard. I know folks with twice my certification level who (unlike myself) have been out of work for 2-3 years. I also know many who are driving trucks now.
You have 2 years of high tech education. The offerings in the medical tech field (MRI operators etc.) pays very well and will be in high demand for quite some time.
This is no time for anyone to be putting all of the eggs into the IT basket man.
Its very difficult out there.
DC has more IT positions then just about any place else. Its much worse in most other cities as far as IT goes. | |
|
| DoL has posted similar statements for the IT industry for the past 4 years. They are as accurate with those assements as they are with the unemployment figures.
DoL's job is to keep as bright a picture as possible on any job market. In doing so they hope to keep opinions high of current administrations. The Secretary of Labor is a cabinet appointment, not a job seeker answering the ads posted on-line.
The only thing they can't fudge is the active employment numbers because too many other organizations collect that same data ie: IRS, OMB etc.
I just moved back around DC after 16 years in Boston last Winter. My family members include a past Assistant Secretary of Labor and former top level GSA HR types. I've been watching this stuff for years. Nothing comes as a shock any more.
Nothing gets you inside an IT job faster then a good connection. Not certs, degrees or anything else matter much these days despite what most postings may ask for. Its the same in the private sector too.
Keep in mind, this is the same DoL that has been coaching large firms to lower regular wages in order to keep OT costs down. They advise companies to lower the wages to the point that total OT and regular time will equal what regular time alone used to. These are also the same people who entered our military forces into the equation used for the unameployment figures over the past few years to get those down. | |
| jclaxon 2004-08-23, 3:30 am |
| I hate to admit it, but you're certainly right. I was just trying to be optimistic. I have put a LOT of time into studying and research, just as anyone else has. I'm just hoping that getting a BS or MS in Information Systems isn't just in vain. The only cert I have is MCP. And the only reason I have that is because the instructor I had was Godawful. Let me explain ... the college I went to had an MCSE track that is supposed to prepare you for the MS tests ... I spent a lot of money to find out that this is bullshit. The first class (70-210) was a piece of cake, man. An unbelievalbly easy class. So, I continued onward ... 70-215, 70-216, etc. ... Now, you've got to understand that I haven't took the actual MS exams up to this point, I've only passed the exams given in class. When I finally got to 70-219, I started having problems. I wasn't grasping the material all that well. By the end of the semester, I was failing the class. However, the instructor told us that if we could pass 70-219, she would give us an 'A'. So, that's what I did. I studied my XXX off and passed 70-219. That, needless to say, made me an MCP. However, had I only studied what she told me to study ... I would have failed the MS test miserably. Perhaps because of the lack of experience? Most definitely. MCSE is geared towards people with at least 1 or more years of IT experience. Again, you are right. Most people get IT jobs by knowing the right people. But, that is true in all aspects of employment. How many times have we watched people who have no education and no experience get good paying jobs because of nepotism? Oh well, such is America. And such is life. But, I'm gonna keep trying ... | |
| malcolms 2004-08-23, 8:00 am |
| [QUOTE]Originally posted by dawsey
[B]hi all
too many people are entering this industry!!
It is becoming overloaded i was a tv engineer and retrained 10 years ago.
I have seen job adverts for mcse with 3 years experience for 15k a year!!
the trouble is that technology is so cheap today!!!
it is all about supply and demand, i have been involved in recruitment, 200 wannabes are entering this profession a week
the industry cannot sustain this
I am looking to get out of this industry before i end up on the shelf in a couple of years.
I am 37 | |
| sandy7000 2004-08-23, 10:07 am |
| This is why I think older workers getting into IT is essential.
I remember one 22 year old guy saying he'd been programming since he was 8 years old... probably the truth. However, that's all he's ever done.
Those of us who have experience in other fields are more flexible. Older workers are more settled & have better instincts that help them be more effective workers.
I found from my previous career that you can make something work if you are willing to take whatever opportunities are given to you, at whatever pay & benefits level. Save the ego-stroking paychecks for later.
The only drawback I find is finding the fire to keep going with setbacks. When I was younger, I had so much more emotional vim & vigor-almost endless optimism.
I've already gone through several setbacks just in my IT education & find I'm not bouncing back as optimistically as high as I did when I was 20.
When I'm hitting walls, I'm double & triple checking if the investment is worth it. I'm coming back with the fact that it is & that I have something to offer employers.
That's the advantage of an older worker-a better idea of your strengths & what you can do. | |
| safatl 2004-08-23, 12:35 pm |
| I am a career changer as well. I changed from insurance claims to IT about five year's ago....I about your age when I made the switch which although was not easy was well worth it for me now.
I got my first "break" through a fellow student in an MCSE class..he needed an assitant for a summer intern job. I assisted in migration a pharmaceutical lab to NT from Windows 98...I then got my first real job and have been building on the experience.
Don't give up. I am currently at my best IT job yet working for a government contractor here at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta GA...
Good luck
Sal | |
|
| Oh I agree with you
I've been around quite a few blocks myself and have found that last posting correct.
There is reason why today's kids generally do not support the level of work ethic as thier parents did. They see that the ones making the big money are rarely the ones doing the work.
Time was the American Dream was available to all. Today it is not.
Time was a single worker could support 3-4 kids a wife and own a home on a single production salary in a mill. Today very few can, if any.
We work more hours then any of our counterparts in other industrialized nations, are higher educated then most, and have less security then any.
The kids aren't stupid. When they see two parents working and most ALL the money going to a landlord who does nothing they learn very fast.
The costs of home ownership today have enslaved a large part of a generation to the banks for life.
When kids see a parent who was highly qualified leave the IT scene and have to start driving a truck 50-60 hours a week to make ends meet with no time left in the ballance to re-learn anything they learn.
What the kids are learning is that the priviledged and greedy win and the workers lose and that the American Dream was DOA for them, and that the politicians in Washington don't give a damn.
Minimum wage is still 5.15 an hour man. And raising it to 7.50 is more an insult then it is a solution to anything at this point.
I don't know how you teach people that beeing greedy hurts our country more then it will ever help it. I don't think I'll ever learn how to teach that in this lifetime.
What is becomming painfully clear to me at this point in time is that economic warefare has been decared on the working class of this country. Its goal is the socialized enslavement of that class to a degree not seen since the robber baron era. If something does not change very quickly here, this country will be lost. | |
|
| I am 49, got a computer science degree in '76 been in IT since (all but 3 years doing networking). While I got a retirement buy out and am still working so will make it to 55 dont know how far past that. So to the people who say no big deal, I feel compelled to bring up unlike say the mills, almost no one will get a full career out of this.
Of course the key to that is to keep the skills current... | |
|
| Getting IN then was NOTHING compared to getting IN today.
I feel very badly for the huge numbers who have graduated Comp/Sci over the last 4 years.
Now I suppose you would recommend 4 more years of certification tracks in order for tehm to have a shot at an entry level position? | |
|
| I did not mean to imply that getting into IT some 30 years ago is anything like it today. My point is that the case can be made that a profession will have come and gone without almost no one actually getting a full career in it. I work with a lot of depressed 30 somethings who are thinking about what they will do then the IT gig is gone.
I would be relucant to advise anyone to put lots of $$s into getting into the field. I am way not sure I would be telling people to spend $$s to get MCSEs when there is what a quarter mil of them, or a CCNA when there is a half mil of them, heck there are near 13K CCIEs (thank god they assign sequential numbers).
Aside from getting security or storage skills (and I dont know how you do that outside a company) I have no useful advise for someone getting in. | |
|
| Yeah man I know
I'm going out for the CCNA because its there. Great reason I know.
Just so happens that some of the high schools are teaching it MD too. Its spread out over 4 classes though through 4 semesters. So that half a million is about to grow a few thousand percent.
What amazes me in this industry, is the amount of admins running things that are totally un-qualified. You've been there, you know it. The feds are great at this despite any and all hiring standards in place. Alot of it goes on in the private sector too.
Half the slots that come open are filled by cronies. Who you know, is the only defining criteria that is sure to get anyone in today, despite any level (or lack thereof) of certification, education and/or experience. | |
|
| I dont thing geting a cert 'because its there' is a bad idea. I do it all the time. I have held an MCSE since 1997 and I never had an NT admin job. If you are going to 'mess with' something at least get the cert to have something to show for it and it also helps structure your study. My 2003 MCSE was 200 bucks for a couple of computers, 3 books, and the costs of the tests. I use those certs to only claim that I understand the base techology and can have an intelligent discussion with those displines (quite useful for a packet guy) Its spending thousands bucks on this stuff that I am not sure about.
The cisco thing is also at the jr college level but they also do CCNP, security and wireless. I know I teach CCNP and security. Not a bad value of you want an instructor and access to a bunch of gear you dont have to buy, if you have a gig, tutition rembursment.
I do not give career advice to students since I got in at the ground floor a long time ago so I dont know anything (Installed IBM SNA and VTAM in '82, designed and installed cisco network in '93, CCIE in '98). | |
|
| quote:
Originally posted by dawsey
hi all
am i old,
i'm trying to get a job as pc tech, passed my a+ a month ago, now studying n+, then mcsa.
i'm 37, worked in retail all my long life and after a long time away from work due to illness, decided to change careers, but finding it hard to find work, has anyone out there been in the same situation and succeeded, as i would love to here of it, i need inspiration
thanks
dawsey
| |
| sandy7000 2004-08-24, 8:25 am |
| Are we veering off topic?
Thanks for the reminder. |
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