After 10 years in a non IT job I am looking to move to a career in IT. My aim is to eventually work in the security field, but know this is years away. I had started reading through a compTIA A+ book by Mike Meyers, as research told me that this is the place to start. My girlfriend has done a OU degree and reckons I should consider this route as she thinks this may be a good way to start.

 

What are people's views on degrees vs certs as a route into IT for someone with no work experience? Is there anyone working in IT who could share some helpful advice please.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Ant

I decided to go down a more different route and decide to start on repairing pc's, i already knew all the stuff that was taught but i did it for the paper. After i did that i did networking and all server side stuff, im currently on a 2nd interview for a job :)

I could go on all day, but as someone who interviews and recruites IT staff into my department, by far the best new-start candidates are those who have some formal qualification from a course that offered a work placement during the final stages. The education/training coupled with the work experience makes them very employable.

 

IT industry is a very wide field so think about where you want to end up and aim for it - Networking, Comms, DBA, System Administrator, Developer, Consultant, .......... ???

 

And think about what type of employer you prefer - public sector, private sector, academia, R&D, Banking ....... they all have a different approach to IT

I will have to look into it a bit further. I was looking at networking then eventually security. I will be doing home study. With what you say davidlyall258 I should look at the type of job I want advertised and see what they are looking for qualification wise.

 

Has anyone done a OU degree at all or have any opinoins on this?

 

Thanks again,

 

Ant

 

P.S davidlyall258 fill free to go on a much as you want ;) i could do with all the help you have to give.