IT career women - Career Advice

Author

Career Advice

DemiGod

2002-07-23, 8:52 am

I'm looking for some advice. But before I ask my question let me give you a little background.
Current postion: Bookkeeper/Office Manager
Years at company: 6+
Education: BA Computer Information Technology Major: Novell Minor: Programming

I've had my degree and CNE for 2 years now. I was told once I graduated I would be transitioned to a technical position. Obviously this hasn't happened yet. I did receive a decent raise when I got my degree. But since then I've heard we don't have the funds to hire someone to take over for you, we can't justify another technician, wait till after the buy out. It seems like it's been one excuse after another.
Anyway I really don't want to do bookkeeping anymore - I absolutely 100% want to be devoted to IT - I just love it. But how do I get into the field with only book experience? I haven't touched a server in almost 8 months.
Does anyone have any advice??

zblakroz

2002-07-30, 2:45 pm

Sometimes it is difficult to break into the field. It does not sound like your current organization is the ideal fit for you, as they do not seem to want to work with your professional goals.
Here is what i would do:

1. Join a local organization in your area that networks other IT professionals, especially if you can find one that focuses on women in the IT world. Great place to network and meet potential employers.

2. start in on other certifications. Novell certification will only get you so far in the door. These days, they always want more. Get your MCSE, or a cisco cert.
If you are interested in project management, get some additional training in that department.

3. You need hands on experience: for example, i set up a practice network at my house. It is fairly cheap to build the systems and you can always make friends with other IT buffs who can get you copies of used software. An IT manager will always look more favorably at someone who takes this initiative to learn, than at someone who just has the theory but no practical experience.

4. get into any IT position, even if it is Help Desk, or entry level desktop admin. Don't always go after the tougher jobs. Women have a harder time gaining respect in the field if they do not show the technical ability. Going at an entry level position is not all that bad, if you have the drive to move up. The fact remains you have a degree, which many of IT pros do not have...and will put you in the running for the better jobs in the long run.

Basically, you need to move ahead in your career, and make a decision to move forward, with or without your current company. Take care and good luck with whatever choices you pursue!

DemiGod

2002-08-01, 8:07 am

Thanks for the advice.

I was thinking the same thing - I guess I just needed someone to confirm what I thought

geekgal

2002-08-04, 10:00 am

Very interesting conversation here. I myself am new to the IT industry, changing careers in the middle of life; Extreme change I might ad, going from a bachelors degree in psychology to computers after working in a hospital with patients.

I ran the computing laboratory for my department at the university for 2 years with a large cluster where we tested the psy students; It was my job to see that the PC's were running at top speed and I learned a lot---mainly that I had a new ability for growth. Because of this, I fell in love with the freedom and potentialality of being able to be creative in the IT field..thus, is why I am working on my A+.

I tell this story in relation to the gal bookkeeper. I can understand your enthusiasm and determination to change into a new field; yours sounds about as exciting as mine. However, I believe the first responder tells it straight and THANKYOU for the tips.

One thing I know for sure is that if we put something (a decision) off til tomorrow, tommorrow never comes! Personal achievment comes first!

Thanx ladies, I really appreciate your help and imput toward a satisfying future. I am here to stay!

DemiGod

2002-08-05, 9:19 am

quote:
Originally posted by geekgal
Very interesting conversation here. I myself am new to the IT industry, changing careers in the middle of life; Extreme change I might ad, going from a bachelors degree in psychology to computers after working in a hospital with patients.

I ran the computing laboratory for my department at the university for 2 years with a large cluster where we tested the psy students; It was my job to see that the PC's were running at top speed and I learned a lot---mainly that I had a new ability for growth. Because of this, I fell in love with the freedom and potentialality of being able to be creative in the IT field..thus, is why I am working on my A+.

I tell this story in relation to the gal bookkeeper. I can understand your enthusiasm and determination to change into a new field; yours sounds about as exciting as mine. However, I believe the first responder tells it straight and THANKYOU for the tips.

One thing I know for sure is that if we put something (a decision) off til tomorrow, tommorrow never comes! Personal achievment comes first!

Thanx ladies, I really appreciate your help and imput toward a satisfying future. I am here to stay!

It's helpful to see that others are changing careers too. It's nice to see I'm not the only one.

I did some real soul searching over the past couple weeks and I've decided I DEFINETLY want to be in a much different postion. I've set the following goals for myself and have set a date of August 31, 2003
1. A+ Cert
2. Update Resume - find an IT Job Oct. 02
3. CCNA Cert
4. Become the best IT professional I can!!

Bingram

2002-08-07, 3:40 pm

Sounds like you are moving laterally in your company (from one job/desk/position to another). This is a good technique if you're moving from say the Help Desk support department to the LAN Admin department or such in a large company. But to move, as in this case, from bookkeeping to the IT department is difficult.

Think about it from the manager/owner's perspective:

A. They hired you to keep books.
B. You know something about the network and can admin the server, which is a bonus for them. And one less worry for the HR department.
C. Hopefully you have been rewarded for your skills and abilities to admin the network. (i.e. you have a bonus or pay increase above what the other bookkeepers have.)

You can
1. Figure the extra money for doing the extra work is worth the trouble of double duty and just live with it.

2. Tell the boss you want either one role or the other. But make sure the boss recongnizes your network admin role as critical to the company, lest you wind up without either job.

3. Find another company who needs a seasoned experienced admin and go there. Tell the boss life is way too short to wallow in someone else's shortsightedness.

lifelearner

2002-08-24, 2:10 pm

For the person who began post----I agree with your first responder.

For all the career changers out there----WELCOME!

I, too, am a female career changer in progress. After a year of searching, I am a couple of months in to my first official position----on a help desk. Just like one of the others said. It is not as bad as it sounds. You will be shocked at how much you will learn. It also gives you a recognized place to be while you continue to learn.

Just like the careers we are leaving, it does not happen overnight. Hang in there and keep working at it. It will be worth it in the long run!

Peace!

Kasor

2002-08-25, 1:38 pm

There few opinion:

> work around your job
> get a new job

But be very careful, you know the IT market is tight and difficult to get a position, if you are not experience worker.

Good luck

techiegal

2002-08-28, 5:37 am

I'm finding it very frustrating when looking a careers in IT for women. I've been tech support now for about 6 years and I know I work harder than all my male colleagues, but where do I go from here? My male colleagues are moving around going into system admin/engineering or analyst but I dont' feel I'm in their league at all. I think it's very hard for women in It industry to be taken seriously.

Anyone else had this problem. I sympathise with women trying to break into IT as it's even hard once you are working in the industry.

Sigh!!

2k_tech_grrl

2002-08-28, 11:09 am

I am younger female trying to get into the IT field and I have found it better to be ruthless.I am currently in an A+ certification class and I am one of five females. One other and I are very ruthless. You must show your skills greatly to be recognized. Don't be a know it all but give them something to envy. Make it known that you are needed.

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