Can a 40 year old man break into the IT field?

[King of Creampies]

I am asking this for a close friend who mentioned to me this morning he was planning to go to a Community College in WA to get into IT. He doesn't know too much on how to start but i figured I could ask on here for some answers...

Is age going to be an issue?

I take it starting off with the A plus certifications is the ideal way to start but what would you guys suggest for him?

He likes help desk work just fixing shyt from what he told me but I am just asking for advice so I can point him in the right direction...

and no this isn't for me. I am eating on my own.

Any responses would be appreciated.

 

[BornStar]

Yeah.. I don't think there is an age limit

 

[David_TheMan]

Nothing is stopping him from breaking into the business, especially if he just wants to to touch maintenance.
Yeah, tell him he is on the right track going to a community college as well. A+ might help.

 

[Pressure]

Not at all.

 

[Afro]

I am asking this for a close friend who mentioned to me this morning he was planning to go to a Community College in WA to get into IT. He doesn't know too much on how to start but i figured I could ask on here for some answers...

Is age going to be an issue?

I take it starting off with the A plus certifications is the ideal way to start but what would you guys suggest for him?

He likes help desk work just fixing shyt from what he told me but I am just asking for advice so I can point him in the right direction...

and no this isn't for me. I am eating on my own.

Any responses would be appreciated.

Previous job I left, I trained my replacement. Dude was in his early 40s with a wife and newborn kid. Had an associates degree in IT but never worked in the field. Just got his hands wet in various warehouse jobs where things would break and he would volunteer to fix things.

Make sure he gets some certs under his belt before he gets out, maybe an internship somewhere so he can say yes to hands on experience.

The less they have to train you, the better you look. Be ready to take orders from someone younger than you though. Some of these Cac IT nerds be a lil uppity with power.

 

[FreshAIG]

Not at all. I know someone who got into IT at 50 and is now making good money. The only thing is he should not apply for startups and apply to established companies. A lot of startups like hiring young/fresh of college types.

 

[JordanWearinThe45]

Not at all. I know someone who got into IT at 50 and is now making good money. The only thing is he should not apply for startups and apply to established companies. A lot of startups like hiring young/fresh of college types.

You in IT bro? How did you get in?

 

[FreshAIG]

You in IT bro? How did you get in?

Just starting now to get into it. I’m studying for my A+ certification then next step is Network cert.

I ultimately want to get into QA (Tech but completely different field from the stuff I’m studying now) but that process is a little bit more complicated at the moment.

 

[JordanWearinThe45]

Just starting now to get into it. I’m studying for my A+ certification then next step is Network cert.

I ultimately want to get into QA (Tech but completely different field from the stuff I’m studying now) but that process is a little bit more complicated at the moment.

Oh ok, cool. Good luck on ya A+ cert G. I got the book, just havent studied it. Thinking about jumping into the cert world.

 

[FreshAIG]

Oh ok, cool. Good luck on ya A+ cert G. I got the book, just havent studied it. Thinking about jumping into the cert world.

Thanks! And good luck to you too. I finished the Mike Myers Udemy class. And use a study guide and Professor Massey on YouTube but honestly bro the best way to learn is try to built a computer from scratch. I was stuck because there was just so much information to maintain but trying to put together a computer makes things so much easier to remember. It’s more about the process then knowing every little bit.

Also take some quizzes too to make sure you know your stuff.

 

[acri1]

Definitely possible.

That said, I wouldn't expect to make a lot of money starting out.

 

[JordanWearinThe45]

Thanks! And good luck to you too. I finished the Mike Myers Udemy class. And use a study guide and Professor Massey on YouTube but honestly bro the best way to learn is try to built a computer from scratch. I was stuck because there was just so much information to maintain but trying to put together a computer makes things so much easier to remember. It’s more about the process then knowing every little bit.

Also take some quizzes too to make sure you know your stuff.

Good looks bro. I'ma check out everything you recommended. I get alot of Udemy emails about cert classes & I do have an old pc laying around. I could rebuild it or something.

 

[lone_druid]

Are his "soft skills" any good? I'm talking about personality, swag, interacting with people,looking presentable to public, if it is: he should have no problem if he can learn the material.

STEM and specifically IT is full of people who not only have no swag... but social skills that negatively impact them. There are three types of people in this world: People who can interact with people and are memorable in a positive way. People who can interact with people, but aren't memorable in a good or bad way(that's me, BTW). Then people who you REMEMBER negatively for their interaction with people.

 

[JordanWearinThe45]

Are his "soft skills" any good? I'm talking about personality, swag, interacting with people,looking presentable to public, if it is: he should have no problem if he can learn the material.

STEM and specifically IT is full of people who not only have no swag... but social skills that negatively impact them. There are three types of people in this world: People who can interact with people and are memorable in a positive way. People who can interact with people, but aren't memorable in a good or bad way(that's me, BTW). Then people who you REMEMBER negatively for their interaction with people.

Jewels

 

[Steel]

Its a shame but a lot of these companies first make sure your qualified then make sure you "fit" the company culture aka make sure your one of them. Aka somewhat nerdish young adult. Being completely honest ageism is a real thing in the tech world.