CareerChange #ITtoEngineering #CareerAdvice
Are you contemplating a career change? 🤔 It’s a big decision, but you’re not alone! Let’s dive into what you might be feeling and explore some potential paths.
Why Consider a Career Change?
Switching careers isn’t just about escaping a saturated industry; it’s about finding fulfillment and pursuing growth. Let’s break it down:
- Saturation in IT: You mentioned having an associate’s degree in IT and concerns about credential saturation.
- Future Prospects: Considering computer engineering or engineering could open new doors with long-term growth potential.
Assessing the Job Market 📈
Is the industry saturated? Here’s what to consider:
- IT Industry: High competition, especially in entry-level roles.
- Engineering Fields: Often experience steady demand, especially for specialized skills.
Engineering vs. Computer Engineering 🛠️
Exploring different fields can clarify your path. Here’s a quick comparison:
-
General Engineering: Varied disciplines like civil, mechanical, or aerospace engineering. 💼
- Pros: Diverse opportunities, high demand.
- Cons: Requires specific degrees and certifications.
- Computer Engineering: Blends computer science and electrical engineering. 💻⚡
- Pros: Growing field with a strong future outlook.
- Cons: Highly technical, requires additional education.
Steps to Make the Transition
- Research and Networking: Connect with industry professionals and explore career resources.
- Education and Certifications: Determine if you need additional degrees or certifications.
- Skills Assessment: Identify transferable skills and knowledge gaps.
Pros and Cons of Making a Switch
Every career change involves weighing the positives against the negatives:
-
Pros:
- New career opportunities
- Potential for higher earnings
- Increased job satisfaction 😊
- Cons:
- Time and financial investment in education 📚
- Starting again in a new field can be challenging
Conclusion: Your Career, Your Choice
Deciding to switch careers is a highly personal decision. Reflect on what you want from your professional life, and remember, it’s okay to take your time making the right choice for you. Good luck! 🍀
Engineering is a massive field. Any more specific thoughts on that? What does “computer engineering” mean to you?
Do you have additional qualifications you haven’t spoken of yet? You don’t seem qualified for an engineering role with that little experience and education.
Even if it’s oversaturated, there are still jobs out there and people getting hired.
What are your qualifications, and what kind of jobs are you looking to get? Sounds like you only have an Associates and an A+.
IT is saturated but if I’m being honest as someone who has a bachelors in Computer Engineering, you’ll have an even tougher time in CpE.
Depends what you’re into but software engineering, embedded / firmware engineering, electrical engr, & ASIC work are highly competitive & unfortunately an associates IT won’t cut it.
Lots of those hardware related jobs want folks with masters at the minimum or that you be an intern they’ve previously hired.
IT is saturated but you’re more likely to get a job there than anything computer engineering related.
Helpdesk -> cybersecurity job will be a much “easier” path than trying to get hired as something like an Embedded SWE.
How hard are you trying? Volume of applications isn’t really a measure. A thousand shitty attempts isn’t worth one good one. Every situation and area is different, tailor your search and attempts to something reasonable. None of us can tell you the right path for that one.
It sounds like you are already talking yourself out of IT, in which case, good luck. It doesn’t have to be a passion but you do have to be invested. Nowadays, more so than before. IT requires more experience than before because the market was flooded with people when companies panicked for remote work and snatched up bodies in case.
That’s relaxed and they’ve purged the ranks. Some people were filtered out but, even the not so excellent ones have valuable experience now and some of them will be better at selling themselves than you. You’re competing with two kinds of people now; those who have directly relatable experience plus the soft skills to leverage it and people with more education and experience. Plan for that. Learn your job market. Polish your pitch. Practice your interview skills.
I had my associates with A+ and Sec+ when I got my job. Just gotta be willing to Wade through hundreds of applications
Cant predict the future but superfluously increasing labor supply is true of the past few years and I don’t see change coming so I get it.
Civil engineering, electrical engineering, industrial technology, or others might move you away from this ballooning labor pool of people who must have remote work and are willing to work at low wages for it.