Looking for direction in next job possibly I.T, Graphics or Architecture

dvdfan

Im currently working full time with a software company doing basic support, logging into peoples PCs to fix issues with the software, writing and maintaining FAQs etc i also play some poker as a side earner.

Both allow me to work online and i quite like that, im hoping to continue that for a few years but as the software is in Beta now i may not have a full time job in 1-2 years time so im trying to plan ahead so ill have something else if that time comes so i can continue to work online and so im not stuck to a 9-5 or a specific office or country.

Ive done tech support for printers, ive done web design courses, ive read alot on IT and im pretty good with troubleshooting pc problems but only have basic networking skills. I can take apart a pc and put it back together. Also half decent with the likes of Photoshop and graphics etc and quick to pick up those things.

So im wondering whats a good direction to go into, i spent a couple of thousand on web design courses a good few years ago, had i asked at the time i could have learned the same and more from just buying a book or doing online courses for a tiny fraction so thats why im asking this time. Obviously web design is handy to have but theres a million asians that can do the same work for alot less so its not a good business to get into.

I didnt do college so i dont have degree's but i was thinking maybe something in Architecture as this really interests me, all the CAD software and that kind of thing but is this the type of thing you could do online courses for or read books or must you do college degrees etc

Maybe hoping to do online work is a bit unrealistic and if so i wouldnt mind something i could freelance at so im not stuck to a specific country or office basically, maybe work for 6-9 months and fcuk off somewhere for another 3-6 months kind of thing. I guess architecture would be my favourite choice, graphics with the likes of photoshop would also be cool however its probably the same situation where theres a million other people that can do it.

Im open to any other computer related suggestions so i can do some studying over the next 2-3 years to be prepared. I also wouldnt mind getting into software development. Ive done basic server side coding but it was pretty basic but i just dont know where you start with all that kind of stuff, basically id love to be able to go, damn i wish i had software that would do this/that or the other and be able to build and code it from scratch and make it into an executable file

So any advice into a market thats not going to be overpopulated in a couple of years time is much appreciated.

Kipperhell

I don't want to sound negative but you sound completely unrealistic.
Architecture requires years of study (approx 7) in college although I think you can call yourself an architect in Ireland without any qualification. They did talk about closing that loophole.
Graphics also tends to need college as you need to know a fair amount about art history in order to create in a commercial sense.
IT doesn't need the same level of college but it will help to get most job. Maybe consider an Oscail course. Again this will take years. You can survive without college but it sounds like you need to have a more focused approach. You can skirt around the fact most employer expect traditional education models.

leeroybrown

When you say 'Architecture' you seem to be focussing on the CAD/computer side of things. That sounds more like an 'Architectural Technician' than an 'Architect'. As Kipperhell points out you'll need to complete a formal third level course and industry experience to get recognised in this field. You'll spend three years in college to get a diploma as an Architectural Technician and five years to become an Architect. You'll then have to work for two years to become recognised as qualified in Ireland. Have a look on the RIAI site. There's also a Art & Architecture forum here on Boards. Also, this area of employment is completely wiped out at the moment.

Graphic design isn't just about being able to do it, it's about being able to do it very well. Plenty of people make a good long term career of it but they need to be very good at it and have to have a really good portfolio to break into the field properly. I'm sure that people will have asked about this field before either here on Work & Jobs or in the Digital Art & Design forum. It is possible to get work based on portfolio/experience alone but quite a lot of jobs will end up going to the candidates with the college background too.

In the IT field there are loads of certifications that you could pursue and plenty of stuff that you can do in your spare time to improve your skills. The fact that you're already working in IT support should make it slightly easier for you to jump to another more skilled area of IT.

thebigmc

Hi OP,

I'm in no position to give career advice but at the moment I've been spending abit of time thinking along the same lines as yourself.

The possibility for online training is huge and in my opinion is really useful for upskilling yourself much more effectivley (in both cost and time) than traditional college courses. I'm by no means saying training online should replace third level education but I think it is essential for learning software related to IT or Graphics fields.

Check out www.Lynda.com for what I think are the best tutorials on the web, if you need to brush up on graphics, web design or coding software, this is the place to go. 25bills a month for all the videos, and well worth it.

As regards freelancing I know what you're saying about there seeming to be millions of Asian freelancers skilled enough to do all the coding design jobs available on the web. If you havn't seen www.odesk.com its worth a look, to see how little some of the freelance jobs go for if anything. The other side of oDesk is you can see lots of professionals who have built up a portfolio and a good reputation can get decent jobs and money from freelancing online. The advantage of being a native English speaker is still valuable despite the amount of other providers who will prob be able to work for much less, I hope. This can also be a good place to work on building up a portfolio of work also.

Regarding Architecture I presume you mean getting into the Architecture industry but not as an architect, there are ways of doing this and I think one of the cooler jobs you could think about is 3d visulisation. Really cool to work in and as with alot of graphic presentation and design jobs I think your portfolio is more important than anything else. The Construction industry has taken such a hit though I wouldn't expect many of these jobs to be appearing very soon. www.cgarchitect.com is good to see the kind of thing im talking about though. Jobs loke this would also involve quite a bit of graphic design but are quite sought after and many people also seem to enjoy this as a hobby.

So any advice into a market thats not going to be overpopulated in a couple of years time is much appreciated.

I'd like to hear peoples opinions on this at the moment aswell. I'm currently on a year out in the middle of an architecture course, will be returning to college for two years come September. Difficult to see the job situation for Architects having turned around in 2years time when I'm finished college.

dvdfan

Cheers for the replies, i didnt really know what was involved in architecture at all i was just asking, i meant more on the computer side of things, my image was that someone would provide me with measurements etc and id draw it up through cad and charge them kind of thing.

The idea that put it in my head was that the father went for a wine license for a business some time back and to obtain it he had to get plans drawn up showing exits etc, this was just 2 floors and i cant remember the original quote but we knew someone working in a architecture's office who offered to do it for alot less since he knew us and he done it for 400-500 euros or something on that lines and he had it done up in the day. Now finding that kind of work might be a different thing, i had another vision of offering my services to some offices who might not be busy enough to hire but occassionally might have a build of of work and then theyd contact me, having a few of these contacts might get me semi regular work. Now maybe im being naive and dont realise whats involved etc but i thought it might be something interesting to make a part time living from but i guess from the replies not.

Dont think going back to college now that im 30 is going to happen, id basically have to leave full time work to do that and thats not something i want or can do so im just trying to think ahead in case i dont have a job in 2-3 years time rather than losing the job and then thinking oh it would be great if i had studied something over the last couple of years.

I guess IT looks the most likely. Ive started studying IT a couple of years ago with the plan to do the Comptia A+ and the networking books, i have the books there and all just a matter of studying and then doing the tests i guess, maybe ill try that route and then try a few more advanced courses.

That 3d visulisation does sound cool, i know the market isnt the best at the moment but im thinking 3 years time, i guess speculating on how long it will take to recover deserves its own thread so i wont go down that route