Sephiroth
Wade Wilson
Surviving
Posts: 29,316
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Post by Sephiroth on Dec 9, 2023 8:43:13 GMT -5
Baring my soul a bit here. I’m 41, I barely have any kind of savings. Because of my ever rising rent I have no choice but to downgrade to a studio residence, just renting a room in someone else’s house, which feels terribly unfair to my cat, it will be a big adjustment in space to roam for him. My brother, a successful IT technician, has been encouraging me to get trained in cyber security and database management, he says they are good paying fields with high demand. I am interested but making such a radical career change at this age is daunting, to say the least. And having the time to pursue the classes that requires when working a full time job AND a part time side job is equally intimidating. But as it is I’m going to starve and be homeless if this trend continues. I feel stuck in a void of uncertainty.
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Gunhaver
Team Rocket
"Gunhaver! You actually have a gun!"
Posts: 871
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Post by Gunhaver on Dec 9, 2023 11:25:36 GMT -5
First and foremost, I'm sorry about your situation. When I was much younger I was in declining health, couldn't work much, and ended up in family backrooms and basements for a good stretch. My cat adjusted quite well, though. I always worry about having to reset my life again, but in truth if you keep looking forward and don't ruminate so much you'll adapt. Wishing you luck.
I'm not much younger than you, and I'm also considering IT/cyber security. But I'm intimidated by both my age and how to actually go about it. I have the means to take out student loans, but I haven't paid off past debt and current employment is shaky at best. Did your brother recommend a degree level or education path?
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Post by Hit Girl on Dec 9, 2023 17:20:41 GMT -5
How much do you trust your cat?
Could he be a possible security risk?
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Post by Vice honcho room temperature on Dec 9, 2023 18:47:32 GMT -5
Want to make more money? Sure, we all do
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J. Hova
Don Corleone
Emotionally exhausted and morally bankrupt
Posts: 2,050 
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Post by J. Hova on Dec 9, 2023 20:43:21 GMT -5
Speaking as someone who has worked in IT for almost two decades, 16 of which with the same company, and has worked his way to a senior network engineer position, there are a few things:
Cybersecurity, I feel, is a bit of a bubble. For years, places have been pushing the cybersecurity learning track, and while I agree that it is a hugely important, I also feel the market has been and is going to be saturated with secops professionals. What happens when a supply is up? I hope I'm wrong, but I just have a feeling the chickens might come home to roost on that.
You aren't just going to go into Cybersecurity without having much in the way of IT professional experience. You are going to have to do dirt to get your foot in the door somewhere. You can find decent to good paying help desk jobs for that experience. You may need to do that for a year or two to get that experience, prove yourself, etc.
The education piece really is critical. It sucks, but that's the truth. A lot of places still think you need that college degree to show you have the ability to take tests, I guess. I'd highly recommend my alma mater, Western Governors University (www.wgu.edu) as they have great IT degree programs that will also get you a good amount of certifications (paramount to IT work). They are online competency based and don't charge an arm and a leg.
I wouldn't worry about the age and change of work. I'm trying to not sound like a prick here, but what do you have to lose? You certainly aren't the first to make a change like this at your age or older. I'm a firm believer if you put in the work, it will pay dividends. IT work has paid my bills and afforded me a pretty good life and I'd recommend it to most anyone.
Feel free to message me if you have any more questions or just want to chew my ear about IT work in general.
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Sephiroth
Wade Wilson
Surviving
Posts: 29,316
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Post by Sephiroth on Dec 10, 2023 7:32:40 GMT -5
How much do you trust your cat? Could he be a possible security risk? If I leave a laptop unattended |
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Post by Natural Born Farmer on Dec 10, 2023 8:54:22 GMT -5
I think career changes in one's 40s or older are becoming more and more common. My friend proctors LSAT exams and says that it's not unusual for more than half the test takers to be middle aged people looking to go back to school.
It doesn't sound like your current situation is sustainable. None of us are getting any younger. Seems to be a good time to take the chance.
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