Career advice (serious response only)?

Question

I worked as an Assistant Store Manager for Duane Reade Pharmacy in New York City for three years and as an ASM for Walgreens Pharmacy for over three and a half years. I am currently employed w/ Walgreens Pharmacy. I am thirty three years old. I've always been interested in computer programming and computer networking. I looked through some job posting on careerbuilder and hotjobs and I noticed that companies required at least a two years college degree (which I have) and at least 3-5 years of work experience in the field you are applying for. My question.... should I stick to what I've been doing for the past six and a half year or is it a wise idea to start a whole new career at the age of thirty-three?

Answer 1

These days, the average person changes careers several times over the course of their working life. 33 is not too old to make a change, especially if it's moving into a career that you are passionate about.

The "requirement" of 3-5 years experience is usually somewhat flexible. Companies want to know that you have what it takes to do the job well, and a certain number of years of experience is a reasonable benchmark to indicate that you can do it.

When deciding which sort of IT career to pursue, find out which fields are growing and which are less likely to be outsourced overseas. You can check www.salary.com and other sites for salary information. The US Government's Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://www.bls.gov/ compiles information pertaining to employment rates, projections, etc.

In general, programming jobs and phone-based tech support jobs are migrating overseas where costs are lower. Hands-on tech support positions, major business application (ERP, SCM, SFA, and others) are often done locally or onsite at a client's office, and are less likely to move overseas. Security and storage are other high-growth areas.

Find a career path that is likely growing and that lines up with your passion and your career goals, then position yourself to make your move.

While you are studying, also try to get some hands-on experience, whether it's a low-level IT job or even volunteering at nonprofit organizations, churches, libraries, or small businesses. You could even start a small business providing services to small businesses (who usually do not have an IT person on staff) such as spyware & adware removal, antivirus installation, installing firewalls, and other things.

To your success,

David B. Wright
Author, Get A Job! Your Guide to Making Successful Career Moves
http://www.TheGetAJobBook.com

Answer 2

33 isn't old - if that's what you want to do, go ahead and give it a shot. Be aware that the 2 year degree they're looking for is probably in a specific area of the IT field - and that there are many 4-year degree people looking for the same jobs.

If you go back to school for this, be sure to look for an internship as part of your schooling - will both give practical experience that can build your resume, and also get your foot in the door for any openings that company might have.

Good luck.

Answer 3

From what I know that HR department may consider your job application as an entry level in IT department cause your past experience job scope totally not related with the IT department job scope. This mean you will be considering as fresh graduate.

Maybe you can make yourself clear that;

Are you looking forward to learn new things to gain experience and master it as you are degree holder as you don't want to waste your effort that you had achieve? But your salary will be much more lower than your previous two jobs.

If for me, it is not a wise idea to start a whole new career as the age wise. For me I should stick on what I,ve been doing and looking forward higher position.

Answer 4

Stay where you are!

I own/moderate a Yahoo! Group site for those in the IT industry in the NYC Metro area. Employers want the back ground, certifications, degrees - plus anything else they can think of!

If you want to pursue IT training to get ahead in your company, by all means go for it - but to jump ship into IT, now is not the time.

The US have lost far too many IT jobs overseas.

Consider the article below before you think about leaving a possible good thing.

Good Luck!
Jayne L. Wells
Owner/Moderator of the PSGTechnology Networking Group
[e-mail]
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PSGTechnology/

Answer 5

33 isn't that old. Go back to school and get the degree (that's what I did). You'll be doing something you want to do and most likely will make more money doing it. The only downside is that you will probably make less money at some entry level job doing computer programming for a few years, but then you can make gobs of money later.