Sick of current job want to do something in IT

[NicNac]

OK heres the plan I'm currently 27 and work for a cruddy company doing a really dead end job Im on rubbish money and it really gets me down thinking im wasting my life away. Its getting that bad that last year I had to take time off with depression.

I would love to ditch this job and move into IT I just dont know how to get into the industry. I have little or no qualifications and suffer with dyslexia to boot


I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to make the change and get my life on track. what is the best way to get started? what college courses etc would be the best to take?

Thanks for reading my rather boring thread

 

[Pulsedriver]

Apply for jobs, you WILL get an interview, not from all the applications but certainly some, give it your best shot and be honest.

 

[NicNac]

I have no qualifications at all though surely I need some

 

[Pulsedriver]

Not at all, if you have good work history, ie not changing jobs every month, and you have an honest personality and are enthusiastic you WILL get the opportunity.

 

[Dr.EM]

Having found myself in a similar position I applied at an agency (under advice from a freind). Am looking forward to starting a new job shortly after a sucessful interview today . If you prepare well for the interview the lack of qualifications might not be a big problem, there will certainly be roles you could get into. Speak to an agency, good luck!

 

[Zefan]

Have you considered the armed forces?

 

[Soviet]

You can always do evening IT courses at a local college.

 

[dowie]

Have you thought about going to uni as a mature student - OK short term it won't boost your finances but in the long term it certainly can?

Alternatively if you're thinking about a more vocational route:

the OU does a CCNA course:

http://www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?C01T216

tis £785 but you should be able to get some support towards fees if you're on a low income - probably a much better deal than most of the rip off commercial training providers

perhaps, as someone recommended in another thread, do the CompTia A+ and N+ first to see if its your thing. That should get you a 1st line support role at least while you work towards it.

 

[NicNac]

thanks I will give the OU a look do people take it seriously these days?

 

[Dj_Jestar]

Have you considered the armed forces?

At 27? They get frumpy with anyone over 21 wanting to join (unless officer perhaps)

 

[Zefan]

At 27? They get frumpy with anyone over 21 wanting to join (unless officer perhaps)

The RAF accept recruits for nearly every trade until 30.

:edit: Click for basically the only IT role in the RAF. The Navy want people with degrees and the army train theirs very much as soldiers first and techies later (so I'm told), so it's not a good idea to apply for the Army if you want IT as a specific trade (and can't apply as an Officer).

 

[Dj_Jestar]

I didn't say they didn't accept, I said they get frumpy.. things are much different for a teenager joining to someone in their mid to late 20's. You have to be amazingly fit for the medical etc.. you'll have less leeway in most exams/tests.

 

[Zefan]

No they won't, not to the extent at which the application process would differ anyway. They will require nothing more from you than they would have a 17 year old. It may be harder to achieve the grade due to the fact that you're older, but they will not discriminate because you're older. A 25 year old is just as much of a risk/investment opportunity as a 17 year old.

:Edit: In fact the requirements on the fitness tests are lower for older applicants.

 

[dowie]

thanks I will give the OU a look do people take it seriously these days?

yes they do

though if you're just going for the CCNA then it doesn't matter anyway - tis the same qualification whether you were trained by the OU or some rip off commercial outfit you saw on a TV advert