r/ITCareerQuestions

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I really want to learn about tech and I heard that I.t. is a good start but umm since the tech field in general is so broad and I guess there must be non tech jobs too and I always wondered if short courses or in demand skills could help in finding job opportunity.

I’m mid twenties, starting a Computer Science BSc in September; I’m passionate about working in the IT industry and always have been, but I know the market now is really bad in terms of getting jobs, especially for those trying to start their IT career.

Is there any hope here? I’m willing to work in a range of different areas whether it be software development, cloud, cybersecurity, etc. And I’m happy to relocate for a job role.

I’d love some feedback and advice, mainly from anyone working in IT companies in regard to hiring for entry-level roles, and I guess some reassurance (if there is any) that I’m going to be able to progress into a career that I’m passionate about.

After working almost 4 years at a small MSP (around 40 people globally), I was finally blessed with this opportunity to work at a brokerage firm with around 3000 people globally (about 100 or so locally).

My small msp company work with around 50 finance companies (hedge fund and asset management).

I was wondering what will be different and what should expect? Anyone else have personal experiences?

Anyone switched from support to other roles with 2-4yoe?

Im trying to switch roles & considering Devops,data engineering, .NET or cloud

Im trying to look for roles which can be learned with live projects that is sufficient for interviews and also helpful after the switch ( Timeline 3-4 months full time )

Anyone done the same thing or know people who have done same ?

I have about 8 years total of customer service experience between fast food and grocery stores, and I'm currently working at the same grocery store for the 3rd time. I worked there 2015-2017 and 2021 to 2023 and now again since may. I've have a bunch of fast food and other grocery stores I worked at throughout college and afterwards, so how do I list all of this on a resume? I'm worried it looks bad to an employer because they see that I can't hold a job but I really just hate working in retail and fast food and can only stomach so much until I quit.

Hi all,

I’m 27 in the UK and I want to change my career completely if possible.

I’m an electrician and have been for 10 years however I want to become a remote systems IT engineer or cloud support engineer eventually.

I’ve been doing some research and it said the best thing to do is to study for a year or 2 & gain some AWS certificates & upload some projects to github.

Anyone who’s transitioned into this industry or works in this industry is this actually achievable or Is it unlikely?

I don’t mind spending money towards it if I do need to do some courses etc.

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know if there is an option to take a career break or a one-month sabbatical after completing 5 years in an IT MNC?

I've been working with the same company for the last 5 years, and I'm wondering if companies provide around one month of leave to upskill, learn new technologies, or focus on professional development.

Also, is this type of break usually paid or unpaid?

Has anyone had a similar experience? Please share your thoughts. Thanks!

Hi as stated in the title I want to get a basis begun for an IT Career, preferably something that’s both hands on and technical, tbh I have only personal experience with tech regarding setting up stuff for personal media home centers, and fixing a lot of computers and laptops all of which has been for family and friends.

I’m 22 have no job experience in the field of IT and little college (but willing to go back for a degree just don’t know which would be best)

I just want to know a good start. I’ve been looking to see if anyone near my area needs just a general IT worker without the degree to get the experience but where I live at isn’t close enough to a job that would be reasonable to live off of.

So saying all that, what degree should I go for or is it even worth it to begin to put the time and effort in for it

Hi everyone,

It’s been about a year since I joined the IT industry as a fresher, and I’m currently working as a NOC Level 1 Engineer.

I genuinely find networking fascinating, and I want to build my career in this field. I’m currently studying for my CCNA and plan to keep learning beyond that.

That said, I have a few questions and would appreciate some guidance from people with more experience.

Are networking roles still a good long-term career to invest time and effort in?

Besides AI and automation (which I’m already aware of), are there any trends or changes that could
significantly reduce the demand or value of networking professionals in the future?

For someone who keeps improving their skills, are the long-term salary prospects good?

If I continue to gain experience and become technically strong, is switching companies generally the best way to increase compensation?

I’m not looking for reassurance—I’d genuinely like to hear realistic opinions from people who’ve been in the industry for a while.

I know there's no way of knowing exactly what they'll ask of me, but I'm hoping someone will at least have an idea. I have a basic understanding of computer usage but I don't really know anything advanced (which is why I want an apprenticeship) so I'm a little nervous about it. It's IT support for a small school if that helps.

Edit: Thanks for the responses everyone, it's good to know that they're likely going to be looking at how I deal with it, not if I get the right answer.

1.Thousands of colleges and universities offer IT-related degrees.
2.There are countless certification vendors and organizations offering IT certifications.
3.Thousands of mentors, trainers, and bootcamps are preparing people for IT careers.
4.companies are investing heavily in automation and AI to reduce the amount of manual work required.
5.Many people from other industries are also transitioning into IT because it has traditionally offered good pay and career growth.
6.Governments can’t create IT jobs fast enough to match the growing number of people entering the field.
And its going to get worse..

Hi,

I need to make a choice between two completely different offers and I 'm completely confused about what to choose. My background is mainly in C++ Fintech, 8 years with my last position as senior

1. Mid-level position using C# and angular.

2. Senior-level position using C++

Both positions pay roughly the same, but the second one offers an extra 12 wellness days per year.

What's the wisest choice here? Company 1. seems to pay better as the position requires less responsability and I'd also have the opportunity to learn new stacks. C++ is mainly used in legacy projects, so maybe this would help long term.

At company 2. I'd keep my seniority and have extra 12 days per year off.

Both offers RSUs

Any thoughts on what's the wisest career choice here?

I am completely exhausted at my present job. Over half the staff don't work, and there's nothing management is doing. I often catch the staff hiding in rooms just playing on their phone. Other departments also have caught them! Or they'll spend days working on their own personal project while letting tickets build up as they see that as below them. Even other departments see right through it.

I have been trying to leave for 4 years, but I have been unable to secure a better position of better pay elsewhere. I am planning on going back to school this fall as I am fucking sick of it.

The pay is $60K and we just got 2% raises. The manager has called the department a young, man's game, which I am neither. The manager also openly has favorites, always young males. No matter how much work you do, it won't matter. Hard work is never rewarded. The end users are thankful for us that actually do out job, but none of it matters here.

Is this how IT is? If you know how to suck up and play politics, you get to move up? I see the ones that get to move up are young males. But there's been no moving up in the last 2-3 years. Everyone is keeping their jobs. Is it always ageist and sexist? I have been in 3 different companies, and this one has been the worse to get stuck in for this economy. I feel I don't fit at all. I like the work, but I absolutely dread the department I work in.

So I(27) have been looking to make a career pivot, and I feel strongly that IT is the move for me. I currently cook in a restaurant and I have been studying for, and will soon sit for, my A+ certificate, with plans for the core 2 after that. I'm single, and I rent, so really not too much tying me down. My biggest goal is moving from the state I currently live in and building a life in a completely different state. I'm absolutely willing to spend the next 10 years building a career in IT, but I'm not sure how I should approach getting my first It job. Should I just go for the tier 1 support right after the A+ or should I just keep my current job for a while and go for the degree?

Title: Security Engineer II —> Linux Admin II

Pay: 101k —> 97k

401k Match: 4% —> 10%

WFH: Fully in Office —> 2 Days Hybrid

PTO: 3 Weeks —> 5 Weeks + Volunteer Days

Parental Leave: 1 Week —> 8 Weeks

HSA Match: $750 —> $2000

Currently doing GRC, policy and auditing, moving updates around for engineering, vulnerability scans, and SIEM building/rules, little bit of everything. Before this I was a Linux Administrator. My current job is okay, but little to no room to move up at all. The new company however… they’re a local branch with national locations and deep pockets from their government affiliation… so their benefits are top tier as you can see so it’s technically a step up in pay via benefits. I MIGHT be able to talk them up to $100k.

BUT The work environment I have now is SUPER relaxed… almost too relaxed and I could literally show up and do nothing all day and they wouldn’t know. I can work on whatever I want to work on… it’s a military environment and this new one is slightly a mix between public/private sector because it’s a federal financial institution so guessing it’s semi-relaxed which I think might be good for me because
I’ve only been in IT for 4 years now and I want something more fast paced…

I have only worked at a Microsoft Data Center (more blue collar) and a military unit as a contractor (doing SysAd, LinuxAd, Sec Engineering). I have my Bachelors in IT and Masters in Cybersecurity.

Searching up error codes and their fixes on old forum posts, google, youtube, or articles seems like an efficient way of troubleshooting an unrecognized issue as obviously nobody can remember every single possible issue's fix or errorcode meaning, but how often does that happen?

How much should I have memorized, if I've built multiple computers and have basic certs is that skilled enough for a job? Surely if it were that easy everybody would just repair their tech issues at home with googling and the occasional youtube

I'm planning on acquiring an AAS in Network Engineering, followed by an AS in Computer Science both at my local community college, and then I want to transfer and pursue my BA in Computer Science at a 4 year university. I want to start with the AAS in Network Engineering to hopefully land an entry level position somewhere, so that while I'm doing the other programs I'm also gaining work experience in the field. Any suggestions or different routes anyone would suggest taking?

I just completed my fifth interview for a junior IT support position, and I’m honestly surprised by how long the process has become.

At what point do you decide an interview process is too long and withdraw?

The process has taken close to a month already, and I’m still not sure where I stand.

So i just go through 3 rounds of interviews for a system engineer position.

1st round: direct manager

2nd round: direct managers and two senior engineers

3rd round: direct managers, all engineers, bosses boss, and adjacent managers who work under bosses boss (like 11 people)

I feel like interviews in IT are getting ridiculous. Anyone else seeing this? (I got the job btw) why do they go through such extremes?