Hi Everyone - Wanting to move into IT

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ajobbins

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#1294977 1-May-2015 12:22

If you have a background in HR, why not consider doing something HR/IT aligned, like HRIS/HRMS?

I'm spending a small fortune at the moment on a project to implement an new HR system where I work, and the many of the consultants we have worked with on the project came originally from HR backgrounds and moved into IT.

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frankv

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#1294986 1-May-2015 12:32

I'd say that just learning a programming language would be entirely the wrong thing to do. If you want to get into development, it is the methodology of program design and problem solving that is most important, not the ability to write code in a particular language.

28 certainly isn't too late to move into IT. In the past, I've taught a number of adult (as opposed to school-leaver) students, and almost without exception their maturity and life skills meant they did well in the courses, and then went on to get good jobs in IT. If you do decide to get an IT qualification, you should be able to cross-credit (aka Recognition of Prior Learning) some of the papers from your Business/HR degree to your IT qualification, which would lighten the education cost (both financially and timewise)

There does seem to be a stream of people from other disciplines into the IT sector as Project Managers and Business Analysts... often these people have non-IT backgrounds. You might want to look into that, and perhaps get ITIL or PRINCE2 qualifications.

timmmay

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#1294988 1-May-2015 12:36

I have a friend who switched from electronics to development at the age of 40 with good success, with no formal qualification in development.

KiwiSpyGirl

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#1329821 23-Jun-2015 11:17

Hi everyone,

Sorry for my absence... I was finishing off my one psychology exam(Which i had started early this year and hated which is why I am dropping it) and had lots of family crap to deal with.

But exams are over and now working on the process of moving into IT.
I HAVE decided to do a few CompSci papers - Doing 101 (which is python) next semester as well as a Calculus paper. Also re-teaching myself web development so I have something to show for myself (even though I did say I am useless at the actual design aspect of it). Main reason is so I can show off my photography instead of using Flickr.

I am defiantly taking everything into consideration you have all said.

Will be lurking around....

gehenna

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#1332441 26-Jun-2015 22:14

I could see someone with your background settling into project management for a while. That'd give you a broad exposure to technologies and skill sets, and allow you to leverage your existing qualifications while training up with some industry specific certifications. Also Client Management would be a good space for you, vendors are always looking for HR/Business skilled client managers in the IT space.

There's so many facets to IT that don't ever require a person to be significantly skilled in a specific technical area. If you want to get into a specific technical role that's cool, and doable (though probably not quickly), but don't think that your existing skills and qualifications wouldn't be useful because they definitely are.

KiwiSpyGirl

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#1336916 4-Jul-2015 13:09

Hi Guys/Girls,

I have been looking at different roles and at the moment it looks like what I need is way beyond any experience or qualifications I actually have to even get in the door for entry level roles. For example, while I have postgrad qualifications. I have had piss all experience – 6 months in HR coordination, some admin experience and also 1 years call centre experience so I am really stuck for actually getting in the door.

So, I have been looking around at different IT courses there are out there and wondering now what you guys would consider quality/not bullcrap courses to take.

For example the first ones I have looked at are the ones that are advertised on seek? Provided by Skillsoft http://www.seeklearning.com.au/entry-level-it-package or also http://www.seeklearning.com.au/full-certification-training-catalogue and http://www.dynamicwebtraining.com.au/business-analysis-training They look interesting but wondering if they are actually legit and would be recognised? They have a project management certification as well.

Any comments on certain IT certifications you can give me will be great.

gehenna

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#1336999 4-Jul-2015 18:16

ITIL is a good place to start. Then a project management cert like Prince2 or PMP.

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Lias

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#1337873 6-Jul-2015 14:02

KiwiSpyGirl: Hi Guys/Girls, I have been looking at different roles and at the moment it looks like what I need is way beyond any experience or qualifications I actually have to even get in the door for entry level roles. For example, while I have postgrad qualifications. I have had piss all experience – 6 months in HR coordination, some admin experience and also 1 years call centre experience so I am really stuck for actually getting in the door. So, I have been looking around at different IT courses there are out there and wondering now what you guys would consider quality/not bullcrap courses to take. For example the first ones I have looked at are the ones that are advertised on seek? Provided by Skillsoft http://www.seeklearning.com.au/entry-level-it-package or also http://www.seeklearning.com.au/full-certification-training-catalogue and http://www.dynamicwebtraining.com.au/business-analysis-training They look interesting but wondering if they are actually legit and would be recognised? They have a project management certification as well. Any comments on certain IT certifications you can give me will be great.

The first package is overkill for an entry level role. Many employers would shy away from someone with all those certifications but no/minimal IT experience. Not to mention those courses don't actually include the exams listed from what I can see, just training material for them.

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