Adive for an oldie

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by tmay70, Aug 22, 2011.

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  1. tmay70

    tmay70 New Member

    Hi all, I am 40 years old and have always messing around with computers. I really like the forensics. But alas, I am old now, but am thinking of maybe just getting starting off in the help desk and maybe take classes after I am in that. How can I start to preferably online to start becoming a help desk support person.
     
  2. Sauron

    Sauron New Member

    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 26, 2011
  3. mdwolfsong

    mdwolfsong New Member

    I second the WGU suggestion. It is a good value and I talked with them recently. They don't bog you down with discussion work (or so they told me). You do your reading assignments and write your papers, or take tests; that's it! The price is good, too. I wish I would have known about them when I was looking to finish my Bachelor's Degree. I paid way too much, but so goes life sometimes :)
     
  4. 03310151

    03310151 Active Member

    There used to be a poster on here, man what was that guys name? DesElms I think? He wrote up a really good post on how to break into IT. I think it was this board?

    I've transferred out of IT (still have my foot being half chewed off staying partially in IT) but I found it a rather difficult field to break into later in life (and I was only 36). Thankfully I'm headed into a new direction. I'm not sure making something you enjoy as a hobby into your career is a good idea. Then it just becomes something you do (and eventually hate) and you have no more hobby ;)

    There are a lot of people who say that ageism is rampant throughout IT. Just something to think about. I think that ITJD and some other posters with more IT experience can give you some good advice, they'll eventually make their way here.

    Good luck to you.
     
  5. imalcolm

    imalcolm New Member

    My advice, as a current IT professional: Aim higher than the helpdesk. That said, I have worked helpdesk jobs, and eventually made my way up into programming and databases (which is much more fulfilling for me). But the helpdesk can also be a dead end.

    Getting in to IT is kind of a catch-22. You need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience. Degrees and certs will help, so the WGU recommendation is a good one. I think WGU is a solid DL school, and I will be starting a Master's program there next week.
     
  6. imalcolm

    imalcolm New Member

    One other thing: IT folks tend to respect competence more than any particular degree or certification. So whatever you choose to do, do it really well and you're likely to earn respect.
     
  7. tmay70

    tmay70 New Member

    Wow....thanks everyone....

    Wow, thanks to all that replied. I read everyone's reply and I dont think I have the time or maybe even the patience to go for the BS in IT from Western Governors. I am thinking of maybe an associates? I dont need to make a lot of money, just something that I can live off of comfortably. Any other ideas online wise?
     

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