#CareerAdvice #IT #CyberSecurity #SideHustles #HealthcareTech
Hey everyone! 👋
I’d love to get your thoughts on my current situation. I’m a 21-year-old IT professional, and I’m making $14 an hour in a help desk tech role. 💻 I’ve got a year and a half left to finish my degree in IT with a focus on cybersecurity, which is a field I got into because I’ve always been interested in technology.
Here’s a quick rundown of my background:
- Trade school for cybersecurity: This started during high school since I found the subject fascinating.
- Secured my Security+ certification. 👍
- After not having much luck job hunting, I decided to pursue a degree in IT.
- Went through a gym job and landed my first real IT role, and here I am today.
Currently, I’m considering moving into an apartment soon since I’ve paid off my car. 🚗 While I enjoy my job, I feel like I want to earn more and explore career paths, especially in something that merges healthcare and tech. Talk about a hot field!
Here’s where I could use your insights:
- What are some career options combining healthcare and technology?
- Any tips for increasing my income while I’m still in school?
I live in a rural area with a low cost of living, which likely explains the pay. Unfortunately, moving for better opportunities isn’t on the table right now because I’m focused on finishing college.
I’ve also got some hobbies! I’m experienced in Adobe and editing software, and I’m toying with the idea of starting side hustles like social media management and a detailing business. 🚀
I’d really appreciate any advice or guidance you can share. Have any of you been in a similar situation or thought about combining tech with another field?
Thanks in advance! Your thoughts mean a lot! 🙌
Keep upskilling and looking for the next opportunity. Finishing that degree will help a lot. Your next job will pay more. I started somewhere close to where you’re at and I’m close to six figures now barely 5 years later. It’s been a slow but steady climb.
15% into retirement accounts no matter what. If you start at your age, you will retire quite wealthy.
If you’re wanting to go into healthcare/tech there are a lot of options. It depends on what you’re wanting to do.
If you’re interested in working with data, data analytics/business intelligence in the Healthcare industry is a good option, and there are often entry level positions open. Working from there, you can specialize into bioinformatics and make some good money.
If you are interested in the IT/cyber area, you can work as a helpdesk/desktop support in a hospital, etc and maybe work your way up towards sysadmin, network engineer, or cybersecurity. It all just depends on the location.
If you want to work in the software field, you’ll need some more experience most likely. Plus, the market for software right now is very saturated, but still doable. Software development for Healthcare applications would be tough to land with no experience.
Regardless of what you want, research that specific area and never stop applying. Apply every day, work on your resume, and keep asking questions and working on new skills/continuing your education. Good luck.
Talk to career services at to your school. Talk to your IT course professors .
Healthcare/tech? Maybe GRC.
What jobs are available in your area? If you don’t want to move that’s what you’re limited to. If it were me, I’d earn the CCNA while working at your current job then look for another job. You need networking skills to do anything in IT. Get a CCNA and watch how many doors open for you.
Also you’re only 21 focus on experience more than the money at this point.
Finish your degree and keep getting experience seems like you’re doing fine
So then… besides the pay, you’re doing great, kid
Open a store on fiverrr doing website and logos design for extra cash. If I had the skills in graphics design I’d start one myself.
Maybe some video editing as well.
Other than that I’d say stick with your niche and keep pushing with certs. Apply for remote cybersec jobs often and network when you can.