#ITdegree #goingbacktoschool #careerchange #ITcareer #degreeoptions
In my 40s and going back to school for an IT degree. 🎓
Feeling lost and overwhelmed at the thought of going back to school in your 40s for an IT degree? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many individuals find themselves in a similar situation, unsure of where to start and which path to take in the fast-paced world of technology. But fear not, there are practical solutions to help guide you through this transition and set you up for success in your new career journey.
Choosing the Right Degree Path
One of the first steps in pursuing an IT degree is deciding whether to go for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. While an associate’s degree may seem like a quicker option, a bachelor’s degree often carries more weight in the job market and provides a deeper understanding of the field. Consider your long-term goals and the level of expertise you wish to achieve when making this decision.
Exploring Specializations
IT is a vast field with various specializations such as Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Cloud-based services. Research each specialization to determine which aligns best with your interests and career goals. Remember, certifications can complement your degree and enhance your skill set, so consider obtaining them in conjunction with your education.
Seeking Guidance
Don’t be afraid to reach out to academic advisors, career counselors, or industry professionals for guidance. They can provide valuable insights into the IT industry, trends, and potential career paths that may suit your aspirations. Networking with individuals in the field can also open doors to job opportunities and mentorship.
Setting Realistic Expectations
While aiming for a salary of $90,000 or more is a commendable goal, it’s essential to set realistic expectations based on your experience, education, and the demand for IT professionals in your chosen specialization. Research salary ranges in your desired field to understand what you can expect as you progress in your career.
In conclusion, embarking on a journey to obtain an IT degree in your 40s can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience with the right guidance and resources. By exploring degree options, choosing a specialization, seeking advice, and setting realistic goals, you can pave the way for a successful career transition in the world of technology. Remember, it’s never too late to pursue your dreams and excel in a new field. Good luck on your IT degree pursuit! 🌟👩💻
Go Computer Science. Gives you more options to work with. You can always specialize in cloud with a cert or two along the way.
You’re not breaking into IT, or software dev, at anything close to 90k. Youll get back there but its going to take a few years, at least. A college degree can help you get started, sure, but its absolutely not a goldem ticket. Most of the time, the company wont care you have a degree at all. Obvious this has been my milage, ymv.
Just my POV as someone who graduated with an IT degree and has a Security+ cert.
Job market is tough. While you get your degree, I highly highly recommend getting a valuable cert (not COMPTIA shit) and also do anything you can to land internship if possible.
I’m currently working on AWS certs.
Be a nurse
First off, let me say I started my first IT job as a an IT field service tech two years ago at the age of 42. I got my CompTIA A+ and Network+ certs and am currently working on getting my Security+ with a goal of getting into cybersecurity. That said, I’d say it all depends on what you’re interested in… If you think you might want to do cybersecurity, my advice is to get a subscription to TryHackme and go through their beginner courses to see if it’s something you enjoy. If so, then I’d highly recommend checking out TCM Security’s courses as well. As far as learning about the whole diverse world of IT, ACI Learning’s ITProTV has tons of video courses and are a great resource. As far as college courses, I can’t really give any advice. I went for an electrical engineering degree many years ago and wish I had gone for computer science instead simply because I love computers and programming. Just spend a lot of time exploring all of the options you have available to you before you make a decision. Google is your friend. 🙂
If you finish your degree, let’s say in 4 yrs + 2 yrs may be getting experience, you should be able to get a job that pays over 90K( at around 49), and that salary should go up as you gather more experience. I know a few people who are still working as principal or senior software engineer at their 70s, so you will still have quite some time to work in a high paying job after you finish your degree.
Is the 90k/yr requirement because you already make that and can’t afford a pay cut? Or is it a goal you hope to reach eventually?
If the former, it’s very unlikely you can avoid a large pay cut, it wouldn’t be worth your effort.