Worth getting a degree in IT at this age?

Elessar

I'm currently working in a finance role for a company who are beginning to push me in the direction of a finance career. I kind of fell into this job, with no formal qualifications, just some prior experience. I am grateful they took me on and are training me up in everything. However, I don't think I would like to make a career in this area.

IT has always interested me and it is something I have been looking into for a few years now as a career path. I am 28 this year and considering doing a degree part time with the open university. This could take 6 years or more to complete.

By then, I'll be 34/35, with a degree but no experience. Realistically, is it worth my time to do it? With no experience I can see it being extremely difficult getting a job, especially at that age. My background in finance might stand to me but not enough for an IT role I don't think.

Only yesterday a role openend up in my company for an IT security engineer. It sounded incredibly interesting and it would be something right up my street. I was bitterly disappointed I could not apply for it! (no qualifications or experience)

Realistically (in terms of getting a job and career going at that age), it the degree worth doing? Maybe I'm better off sticking to finance, even though I've no passion for it.

seamus

Life is too short to have a career that you hate. Would you rather be getting paid 6 figures to work 60 hours a week in a finance role, or 30k in a 9-5 role that you're really passionate about?

Some people would choose the money and the horrible job, most people I know would pick the low paid but massively satisfying job.

There's no reason why you need to wait for your degree before getting an IT job. And there's no reason why it needs to take six years either. I've worked with loads of people who entered IT with little or no qualifications or experience and who then got qualified part-time while they worked, or were so experienced that they never needed to get a formal qualification.

Do you have any other formal qualifications? If you already have a degree or a cert in another field, then plenty of 2 and 3 year part time degrees/masters in IT will accept you.

I would recommend making the jump to IT now, especially if you have no real commitments (i.e. a mortgage). If you have an interest in IT, then you would probably rate yourself as more knowledgeable about computers in general than the average person? That means you'll be well suited for an entry level IT helpdesk role. From there, build up your qualifications - a two-year diploma, then chase the degree. You can also get industry qualifications in between that - CCNA, MCSA, etc. In IT, experience and passion is everything. Unlike other industries (like finance) who won't even look at you unless you possess some minimum pieces of paper, in IT you can go all the way without any formal qualifications. They do help though, of course.

El Gato

To answer your question directly - Yes, it is worth getting an IT degree. As far as your age is concerned you are still in your 20's!

If you have decided you want to do this course I would advise you selecting an area in IT that you are interested in and do that specific course.

While I agree with what Seamus said for the most part, I completely disagree with the final part of his post regarding not requiring formal qualifications. Most IT interviews I went for wouldn't have accepted my application if I didn't have a Level 8.

Having experience in the financial sector, you could look at financial companies who are advertising for Help Desk roles (as Seamus said). Your knowledge of the sector would certainly be an advantage.

IMO you should select the area (programming/networking/SCM/BDM/sys admin/sys analysis/databases etc etc) and work towards the relevant qualification.

Mrs OBumble

At 28, you probably have at least 75% of your working life ahead of you.

Definitely worth getting more skills / quals.

I would recommend trying to get a job where you might get some more IT exposure, so you have some idea of whether you'd like it in practice.

That said - if you sign up to start the course, then find it's not what you expected, it's only a 1-year (or perhaps 1-semester) committment. I'd ry to think of it as one year at a time, rather than six years at this stage.

gerarda

Finance and IT are very closely related so with your present knowledge of finance systems and your degree you could have the best of both worlds? The degree will teach you the mechanics of financial IT systems.

Do the degree btw and best of luck!

Brewie

I was in a similar position to yourself. It was a flick of a coin choosing between accountancy & IT on the CAO for me. Accountancy won. Thankfully I love auditing so I got lucky I suppose. After 6 or 7 years I wondered what the IT route would have looked like.

I enrolled in a post grad Computer science course part time and completed a level 8 (same level as a honors degree) in 3 college semesters. Why not look at something like this? There is no need to spend 6 years at it.

The year and a half for level 8 qualification, 1 year or 1&1/2 years for a masters has you in the same position within 3 years.
If the 6 years is the main issue, it really needn't be. Added to this you get to keep working and earning at the same time.

One thing I will point out is that studying part time and working full time is tiring, both mentally & physically. If it can be helped do not commit yourself to a 3 or 4 year course, try do a diploma then degree then honors degree etc etc.

I personally found working full time, then communting to college 4 nights a week for 3 semesters tough at the end. I really used the method of thinking in semester three that it was my last and to really keep committing myself that I only had x amount of weeks left.

Not to belittle your decision, but with the amount of courses out there, you really can dip your toes in the water first to see if it really is what you want without over committing or running yourself needlessly into a decision you might regret.

I'm glad I got my post grad lvl 8, it was a tought 3 semesters, but it really did answer the only "What if" question I have had so far.

Eoin

Elessar wrote: »

Only yesterday a role openend up in my company for an IT security engineer. It sounded incredibly interesting and it would be something right up my street. I was bitterly disappointed I could not apply for it! (no qualifications or experience)

Why not have a word with one of the IT managers? If not about this role, then maybe there are other ones. IT is a very varied industry with lots of options open to you, ranging from very technical to more business focused roles.

Knowing the company, the industry etc could well work in your favour, provided you've a good reputation at work. Hiring an unknown external person is always a big risk, so a lot of people would be very open to taking in someone who already works for the company and train them up.

As suggested, maybe look at some part time courses - if nothing else, to confirm that you're definitely interested in working in IT.

Mr. Loverman

I believe education should be for life. I''m certain they'll discover continuous learning helps keep the brain healthy, sort of like staying active as you age helps keep your body healthy. So I don't believe in the "I'm too old for an education" line people use.

Ask yourself this: what will you do if you don't do the course? Plod along for another 6 years?

Do the degree. It'll give your life options.

fret_wimp2

It's very much worth getting an IT degree, but its not essential to start working in an IT role. One of the best IT guys on my team doesn't have a degree. He fell into an IT role as he was a tinkerer and knew a little. As he was passionate about it he just worked hard and learned a lot on the Job and in his spare time. He's now, IMO much better than I am at the job, and I have a degree and he doesn't. It also doesn't affect his earning ability.

A degree in IT proves you have aptitude, but a really valuable IT pro will have a lot or real life experience and hopefully some horror stories under their belt, and aome battle scars. Get an IT job in the field you want to be in, and get earning that experience.

worded

You can teach some about IT but you can't teach someone to like it.

If you have an aptitutude for it, go for it.

You are still very young OP.

Mr. Loverman

worded wrote: »

You can teach some about IT but you can't teach someone to like it.

This is very true. The IT industry is full of people who hate their job (and therefore a large percentage of their life).

You should only study IT if you genuinely like it.

oneshot2shots

I'm doing a conversion course in computer science atm.Intensive 15 month course covering the fundamentals(C,C++, php, web development, SQL,basic networking, VMware databases,java) but very enjoyable. Think the course may not be available next year however. There are many people in the course who are older than you are. My advice would be to take a course like this or some 2 year part time masters. You'll most likely pick up a job, and it might actually be easier to get a job after two years than 6 - With the over-blown media hype and the government telling everyone regardless of ability of background or ability to go into IT there will be a hell of a lot of IT graduates in the next dacade, but the next 4 years or so will be rosy. Maybe the same company will give you an IT position in a year or two, maybe not after 6. The problem is that even withing IT there are so many juicy choices, within web development/networking/programming there are tonnes of sub categories and sub sub categories. I thought when i decided to go for Computer Science v finance all my decisions were made for me:)

One worry is that you mightn't actually like IT- sure it sounds cool and technical when discussed, but actually getting into it and expeiencing may be a diferent story for some. Giving up 6 years for something you don't like will also be tough, just make sure its what you want.

Phoebas

gerarda wrote: »

Finance and IT are very closely related so with your present knowledge of finance systems and your degree you could have the best of both worlds? The degree will teach you the mechanics of financial IT systems.

Do the degree btw and best of luck!

This.
OP, don't think of it as a complete change; think of it as pivoting from one area to another.

Tar.Aldarion

There is no such thing as too late in your twenties. Why not do some sort of masters, not 6 years? I've seen plenty of people converting via this and much older than you (40s)

Elessar

Thank you all for the replies. Really good insight here.

I have no 3rd level education so can't just jump into a masters or an accelerated post-grad. I don't want to give up work so the option I was considering was the Open University's Computing and IT degree which takes on average 6 years part time (home study, and anything up to 16 years!) with 16-18 hours a week study required. I don't know yet if I will have the discipline to dedicate such time to this over such a long period.

I am considering doing a CCNA course in the evenings in the next few months to at least get that under my belt (hopefully). I can at least dip my toes in the water then. It will also mean I can get credits with the OU if I do eventually do the course, and complete it slightly quicker. The thing I'm worried about is getting a job, I don't mind taking a wage cut to get my foot on the ladder, but I need experience to get one in the first place. And a lot of places (microsoft etc.) seem to require a bachelors degree at minimum before an application is considered.

Still, horse before the cart I suppose.

Brewie

Elessar wrote: »

I have no 3rd level education so can't just jump into a masters or an accelerated post-grad.

I know when I applied for the Post grad in GCD they wanted to know about my previous education and a honours degree was a requirement on the course spec.

However, I know that there was only 10 people in my course when they were willing to allow 15 in the course. You are in your mid to late twentys, try the mature student angle, explain how you have been working etc etc and that you never got the chance to attend college.

GCD would definitely have taken somebody else on in my class who who pay them, it is a business afterall. You might not be accepted ahead of someone that has met all the requirements but if there is 2 or 3 places available on a course they are running, I would be shocked if they didnt accept you (assuming you sold yourself correctly).

Leave it to a week before the deadline of the post grad courses and ring to see if there are places left. I joined my course in the 5th week of classes and because I was paying they let me in. I was told the usual line of "usually we wouldnt allow this but ..............". Money talks!!

You have nothing to lose and possibly save yourself 2 - 2&a half years studying.

rat_race

Elessar wrote: »

I'm currently working in a finance role for a company who are beginning to push me in the direction of a finance career. I kind of fell into this job, with no formal qualifications, just some prior experience. I am grateful they took me on and are training me up in everything. However, I don't think I would like to make a career in this area.

IT has always interested me and it is something I have been looking into for a few years now as a career path. I am 28 this year and considering doing a degree part time with the open university. This could take 6 years or more to complete.

By then, I'll be 34/35, with a degree but no experience. Realistically, is it worth my time to do it? With no experience I can see it being extremely difficult getting a job, especially at that age. My background in finance might stand to me but not enough for an IT role I don't think.

Only yesterday a role openend up in my company for an IT security engineer. It sounded incredibly interesting and it would be something right up my street. I was bitterly disappointed I could not apply for it! (no qualifications or experience)

Realistically (in terms of getting a job and career going at that age), it the degree worth doing? Maybe I'm better off sticking to finance, even though I've no passion for it.

With financial knowledge, and a decent grasp of Java or C#, or similar, and you will make a lot of money in a few years. Try to find a course that isn't 6 years long though...

oneshot2shots

Brewie hit the nail on the head, if there are spaces left your in.

In my course there were so many applicants that instead of leaving 60 in they jumped the number up to 120. Course resources were stretched but they made their profit.

6 years is simply too long is it not better to take the plunge for a year full time and then get 5 years work?

Elessar

rat_race wrote: »

With financial knowledge, and a decent grasp of Java or C#, or similar, and you will make a lot of money in a few years. Try to find a course that isn't 6 years long though...

That's the thing though, I tried learning programming a few times throughout the years and fell flat on my face each time. It's not for me. I'd be looking at networking/network security or sys admin.

oneshot2shots wrote: »

Brewie hit the nail on the head, if there are spaces left your in.

In my course there were so many applicants that instead of leaving 60 in they jumped the number up to 120. Course resources were stretched but they made their profit.

6 years is simply too long is it not better to take the plunge for a year full time and then get 5 years work?

How does that work? They let you on a post grad even though you've never actually been to college? Is there a list of these courses anywhere?

oneshot2shots

No i have a degree, the point is that its never as strict on the requirements as it sounds. Some people in my class still havn't given any of the "mandatory" 2 references required for entry. No, there is no list of courses advertising for for people without a degree, that wouldn't send the right message to employers. Finance masters for example will all say that a 2.1 degree in a finance related disipline is essential. Neither usually are except in the higher colleges.

There are loads of options, the thing is to chance your arm at everything, you just never know. Not sure what's best for you but I would strongly advise against the 6 year plan, it seems like the worst possible choice. With a CCNA and some sort of 6 month diploma with a networking focus I think your more than set for a graduate position, total of about 8 months hard work. You can tinker account with networky stuff like VMware in your space time to make yourself more attractive to employers. You would probably start off between 24-26k(could be bit more think CCNA is pretty well respected) though if they didn't take your financial background into account. the question is are you willing to take the drop in salary?? I think maybe your on some level unwilling to give up what is probably a good salary, but learning the trade while working in finance just doesen't seem to be a good idea. From what I've read I think the best option is take a year out or so, do a course, and eat, dream and drink networking full on for a year. Knowing what you want to do is a massive advantage, aside from half-doing everything in a generic course with no focus. I recently decided to go all out java, obviously can't be a 100% sure its the no.1 choice but the decision has been made and all I have to do is get good at it, without indecision hanging over me at every corner.

Check out the IPA near ballsbridge for short 6 week courses in networking related modules. Brett is a legend of a lecturer and if you do end up going there PM me for details with some of the work.

not1but4

I came out of doing a 4 year Computer Science with a 2:1 without knowing really how to program it was only after my first job that I learned how to programme which involved a lot of self learning.

No doubt you will find it hard to get a job without a degree. Most people in my place [I work for a Investment Bank] have degrees but not many have it in CS you get all types from English to History but on average they will normally come from a Maths or Physics background.

One guy in my place (think he is about 27 or so) earns about 10k more then I do doesn't have a degree (well he dropped out of a Literature degree) he just made websites and from there he applied to a contracting firm, completed their 4 months training program and is a Java developer.

This is the company he works for, but be aware you dont get paid during the training and the wage he really low when you are not with a client. You have no choice really where you get based.
http://www.fdmgroup.com/uk-careers-graduate_programmes

ZENER

I was 42 when I started my BSc. with Oscail (DCU). As long as you're enjoying it age is irrelevant. At the moment I'm doing the CompTIA Network+ certification - I'm 49 ! I plan on doing the CCNA and a few MS certs too before I'm done.

Ken

the_syco

Elessar wrote: »

Only yesterday a role openend up in my company for an IT security engineer. It sounded incredibly interesting and it would be something right up my street. I was bitterly disappointed I could not apply for it! (no qualifications or experience)

Do an A+ course & exam. It'll give you basic knowledge, a cert, and will allow you to see if you really like the subject or not. It may also stand to you if you're trying to transfer to your IT dept.

seamus

Elessar wrote: »

That's the thing though, I tried learning programming a few times throughout the years and fell flat on my face each time. It's not for me. I'd be looking at networking/network security or sys admin.

It takes time to "click". As a network/sys admin you will need to do a certain amount of programming/scripting to accomplish tasks. You can do without of course, but admins who can't/don't script generally tend to hit a bit of a ceiling as it's basically impossible to work in a large company without scripting ability. Configuring ten new routers by following 20 steps on a piece of paper just doesn't cut it.

Trying to learn on your own is quite tough, especially if you go for an object-oriented language and try to learn it without getting any of the theory behind it.

If you go the college route, don't shy away from courses with some programming element. Even one semester of programming will give you a decent amount of experience such that you won't be completely lost when you have to do some scripting 3 years later. It's frustrating for the first while, but when it does fall into place you'll find it very useful.

JustAThought

Why not do a course before you leave your current job etc to see if you like it. Also really look at the breakdown of modules involved -beyond the few lines in the brochure . Often the courses can be quite different to what you guess or would like then to be.

My friend is /has been doing an Open University course for YEARS now. They have NO support systems in place for if you fail an exam. The courses are corrected by examiners who have neither set not lectured the course. If you fail ANY 3 exams over the 6+ or more cycle you have to go back and start ALL the exams again -and pay again. This is not something they tell you when you begin : (

His heart is destroyed with it.

My other friend had a good permanent job that she was SICK of did IT operations & it systems in trinity. She did this by night so didn't have to give up her job til she finished.

Everyone's situation is different. IT evolves & changes all the time as do employers needs & expectations -if studying dosn't suite you you might consider that you are possibly looking at a long or lifelong cycle of study & training for IT. Though if you like it & are interested & are Goid at it that is half the battle!!!

23 isn't old to change. But don't throw away a good company that are looking after you if yih don't have a concrete plan .

Night study courses ( IT's do lots) might be just the thing & might also convince your company to fund IT for you rather than finance. You havn't mentioned how that is going for you -exams/study etc?