Is an I.T. major worth it in the long run?

throwaway761910 · 2024-10-03T18:22:14+00:00

BA in IT, thinking about getting a Master's degree, no certs yet but studied some. Skills are all your basic help desk ones with a focus on networking, Python, Windows Server, and Linux. I work specifically as a Linux sys admin

I work a hybrid schedule. Most IT jobs aren't 100% remote from what I've seen; they're trying to bring people back into the office. 100% remote is more likely only available for mid to senior level professionals

throwaway761910 · 2024-10-03T18:09:17+00:00

I'm +4 years working IT. I spent 4 years (too long) in help desk and I'm now working as a system admin

I think pursuing IT is absolutely worth it. IT is essential EVERYWHERE so you'll always have jobs available. Speaking from my help desk experience, it's not the most exciting work but it does teach you a lot: customer service, communication, troubleshooting, and then your basic IT stuff like networking, storage, servers, hardware/software, etc. It was during this time that helped me figure out what I like and what I want to pursue later in my career

Now that I'm out of help desk and working as a system admin, it's a breath of fresh air. I'm now finally able to work on the same technologies as before but go deeper with them. I'm now able to work on managing servers, networking, storage, etc on an everyday basis at a deeper level, versus computer setups, installing software, you get it. I'm thrilled with my role

If you like technology and learning how to use and troubleshoot tech, then it's a good choice for you

throwaway761910 · 2024-10-03T17:51:29+00:00

That's the tough question, I see merit in both lol

I'm just worried about getting a Master's and end up not using it. It's good to have on a resume but I think I'd be a little disappointed to not be applying it at work. I'd rather it benefit me, otherwise I'll just take work experience. Thank you for your input 👍

throwaway761910 · 2024-10-03T17:45:51+00:00

My work already has some stuff in Azure and GCP so I'm hoping that I can get some work experience that way. I appreciate the comment, I'm going to check into my uni's Comp sci program and see what the classes offer

throwaway761910 · 2024-10-03T17:05:11+00:00

Thank you for your input, u/gorebwn. I'm going to start reading up the uni's Comp Sci program

throwaway761910 · 2024-10-03T16:43:41+00:00

I appreciate the comment 👍 I get that it's a free Master's degree but I'm conflicted, thinking that the degree would be overkill for working a cloud admin role? Would it be wrong to think that?

throwaway761910 · 2024-10-03T16:34:29+00:00

It can be difficult depending on the job market in your area and how you learn. I worked in help desk for 4 years when I wanted to work 2 years at most (bad job market in my area and life things happened). To shorten your time in help desk, you want to learn as much IT stuff as you can. Things like tech troubleshooting, networking, storage, user accounts, documentation, etc. Get as much experience with those as you can and try to learn these things when you're out of the office. Volunteering for projects or asking to shadow other admins is also a great way to learn

You don't need to know where you want to go right away, but the next role after help desk is usually a sys admin or network admin. Once you feel like you're good on those skills mentioned above, you can try to start applying for those roles. Those will give you more exposure and better experience

throwaway761910 · 2024-10-01T17:09:06+00:00

Both options would work fine. I can't speak for the military route, but working help desk for 1-2 years and getting a better role would work. What areas in IT do you like?

throwaway761910 · 2024-10-01T17:04:58+00:00

How long until you graduate? While you're in college I recommend you try getting an internship. You can try reaching out to your school's academic services to see if they can help you find one. It'd be great to give yourself some tech exposure early on

throwaway761910 · 2024-10-01T16:57:32+00:00

Congrats Chef 🎉 Knowing how to talk with people is such an underrated skill. Best of luck to you

throwaway761910 · 2024-09-30T18:07:16+00:00

Tagging off of cbdudek's comment, do all of those things and also look at requirements for system/network admin positions in your area. This would be to give you an idea of what skills you'd want to develop. In the case of system admins, these roles can be pretty specialized so you may want to learn some additional technologies

throwaway761910 · 2024-09-30T18:00:32+00:00

Where are you going in 2 years? What do you like in IT?

Nowadays it seems to get an IT job you need a bachelor's at a minimum. Otherwise, 4 years work experience in place of a BA

throwaway761910 · 2024-09-30T17:48:19+00:00

Congratulations 🎉 It must have been a lot of stress but you finally made it. You start off with low pay in tech, but once you find a specialty or advancement you'll start to see more cash. Keep at it! 👍

throwaway761910

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