Starting a Job in the Tech Field

[chizmas90]

I am currently looking to start a job in the tech field. I am 30 years old and currently a auto mechanic. I have always loved computers and gadgets since I was a toddler and am the "Go To" tech guy for my work and family. I want to find a job somewhere in the tech field but am not sure which direction to head. I would love a job that had a little bit of everything (hardware, software, networking, etc). Is there any good jobs like this that don't require a IT degree from a college? Thinking about taking my CCNA but don't know if I would want to only mainly focus on networking. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to start? Or any things that I should avoid? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[Roswell]

If you're in NA, you'll be restricted to mostly help desk stuff or being the "IT Guy" for a small business without a degree. Doesn't really pay much of anything, definitely much less than what you're making as a mechanic now. You definitely still need the usual bucket of certs as well.

 

Look at your local community college, CS degrees can be had for next to nothing but time.

 

 

[IkeaGnome]

22 minutes ago, chizmas90 said:

I am currently looking to start a job in the tech field. I am 30 years old and currently a auto mechanic. I have always loved computers and gadgets since I was a toddler and am the "Go To" tech guy for my work and family. I want to find a job somewhere in the tech field but am not sure which direction to head. I would love a job that had a little bit of everything (hardware, software, networking, etc). Is there any good jobs like this that don't require a IT degree from a college? Thinking about taking my CCNA but don't know if I would want to only mainly focus on networking. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to start? Or any things that I should avoid? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

It'll be like starting over as a mechanic. Start with basic stuff for little pay then work your way up. Think wash boy, lube bay, PM tech etc. 

[SkillTim]

Start your own "fix-it" company. I went self-employed almost 15 years ago and haven't looked back. Time to cash in on people using your knowledge. Advertise in the local area.

[Broxxar]

Have you done much programming? If you find you have an aptitude or liking for it, I can tell you that life as a software engineer can be pretty great. I went the route of post secondary education, but I know people who are primarily self taught and now work as Senior Engineers (5+ years into their careers). Maybe run through some intro python/javascript type stuff to get a feel for it and see if it's something you could imagine doing as a day job. Bonus points if you enjoy programming outside of work— engineers who continue practicing and learning in their spare time tend to have accelerated career growth. Additionally, having samples of your work on GitHub can be avenue to get hired somewhere to begin with.