Certification Magazine - January 2008 - (Page 21)

on gaining additional informal experience by doing private jobs for friends and family, or you can volunteer at various organizations and companies (see Certification Magazine’s July 2007 Dear Techie column for advice along these lines). Or, you can even gain experience through a local community college or other educational institution. When you’re seeking your first or second position in the information technology world, don’t be afraid to go after contract work. While contract work may not offer the long-term stability or the benefits that are desirable in the long run, getting contract work is a good way to move into a position that requires a relatively low level of experience (just meeting the minimum requirements). This way, you can grow your skills while building your experience in a professional, real-world environment. Want to further research making the IT leap? You can get IT career advice on www.certmag.com. Just type ‘entry level’ into CertScope to read more than 200 CertMag articles on the subject, as well as link to 192 Web sites. Actually Getting Started Regardless of what professional certifications, academic diplomas or degrees you have, the reality is that unless you have a business background and are intending to move directly into IT management, you are likely to start off at the bottom of the IT ladder at an associated low level of salary. Further, on average, it is likely that you will stay on the bottom of the pay scale or in a lowlevel position for about six months to a year. The good news is that for the next step up (non-entrylevel posts, but still at Level 1, maybe edging on Level 2 support) the minimum required amount of experience is six months to a year. Make sure that you have examined the reality of what starting in information technology will mean for yourself and your family, if you have one. For some, the long-term possibility of work in information technology may have better earning prospects after reaching the five- to seven-year range. Initially, you may be taking a significant cut in pay compared to your current position, or accepting an inferior benefits package. It is important to understand that in approaching an industry change, you cannot reasonably expect to move to a situation comparable with your present position right away. The ability to show patience financially through this period is a key consideration to ensure your success in beginning an IT career. Also, realize that for some, age is going to be a factor. In the U.S., companies are not allowed to discriminate based on age. However, if you are getting up there in years, you may have a limited window of http://www.certmag.com http://SecurityCertified.net http://SecurityCertified.net

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Certification Magazine - January 2008

Certification - January 2008 Editor's Letter Contents Data Stream Tech Careers Academic Connection Dear Techie Virtual Village Making the IT Leap: How to Move Into the Industry Inside Certification Phoning It In: Telecommuting Systems and Networks Engineer Interface Band of Brothers: Why You Should Join an IT Association Ad Index Endtag

Certification Magazine - January 2008

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