Been out of tech for several years: Advice on how/whether to get back to work?

[Porter Doran]

So here I am, 42 years old, having quit my career a while ago to go to college (for non-tech-related studies), then marrying and staying home with the babies -- but it's getting boring and we could use more income. Honestly, I've never felt like myself since leaving tech work. I want my career back.

But at my age is that likely to work? If so, how? Should I go back to school or get an internship to get up to speed? Seems like that might be overkill, not to mention cost even more time.

Any advice you can offer I'd very much value. I know there are wise heads here.

(My past experience is mostly analyst/integrator, but I've done most things that can be done in IT, from phone support to sysadmin.)

 

[Danger Mouse]

Did you finish your college degree?

 

[Bright Wire]

If you have been out for several years you won't be current on most of the tech in use these days. You can try to get in with a small company that is looking for a jack of all trades where you can fake it til you make it but any mid to large sized organization is going to probably net you a desktop or helpdesk sport position because of your current knowledge and experience. You will need to grind your way back up to the level you were at and that will involve a lot of studying as well as possibly getting new certifications to verify your knowledge and capabilities. If you are targeting jumping back in at your previous level or higher I would say that it's not as likely. Age isn't the killer here, it's current experience and knowledge of the landscape and products. You won't really get that by going back to school as much as through work experience and self learning. Once you have the current experience and knowledge back you should be able to get back up to your previous level at a decent speed. The first step back in is always the hardest.

 

[Danger Mouse]

One place would be as a student intern at his college. Outdated skills is no prob there. :facepalm: :/

 

[potato44819]

My master plan right now is to get an MCSA for some applicable tasks. The cost of such isn't major, and the certs aren't the joke I remember them being ages ago.

 

[Hytes]

Modern Major General Thanatos[/url]":hnbupbt0]My master plan right now is to get an MCSA for some applicable tasks. The cost of such isn't major, and the certs aren't the joke I remember them being ages ago.

Depends on which MCSAs you are looking at specifically. I hadn't taken any certs since the Server 2008 era and I decided to take on the MCSE: Messaging which includes the MCSA for Office 365 along the way. It was stupidly easy compared to MS tests I had taken previously. The Exchange 2013 parts of the MCSA are insanely hard compared to prior MS tests. You mileage will vary.

I agree with above posters saying to just get your foot in the door as a IT generalist anywhere you can to shake off the rust. After a year or two, you will be much better positioned to seek out something better.

 

[Porter Doran]

Danger Mouse[/url]":18ep7egz]Did you finish your college degree?

No. I was advised to go ahead and apply to seminary without the BA, and got in.

 

[Porter Doran]

Bright Wire[/url]":zbxn4f7c]If you have been out for several years you won't be current on most of the tech in use these days. You can try to get in with a small company that is looking for a jack of all trades where you can fake it til you make it but any mid to large sized organization is going to probably net you a desktop or helpdesk sport position because of your current knowledge and experience. You will need to grind your way back up to the level you were at and that will involve a lot of studying as well as possibly getting new certifications to verify your knowledge and capabilities. If you are targeting jumping back in at your previous level or higher I would say that it's not as likely. Age isn't the killer here, it's current experience and knowledge of the landscape and products. You won't really get that by going back to school as much as through work experience and self learning. Once you have the current experience and knowledge back you should be able to get back up to your previous level at a decent speed. The first step back in is always the hardest.

Thank you for the advice. I'm not so concerned about getting up to speed -- I've always been quick to pick up things -- as about getting my foot in the door. Maybe I'm overthinking things, but I find it hard to imagine too many bosses looking at my present resume and not tossing it.

 

[mcmnky]

1. Work...why? I guess some people feel tied to a career. I don't understand it, but I suppose it can happen.

Anyway, if it's for the money, make sure the money works out. Are there going to be commuting costs? Are you likely looking sat jobs that will require new wardrobe and dry cleaning? You mentioned staying home with the babies--are they still in the picture and at an age where they still need oversight? Child care is expensive. If there's already at least one household income, it's not a given that an additional income will be a net gain for the household.

2. School. Yes, absolutely, every day and twice on Sunday. _IF_ it's for your own curiosity and pursuit of knowledge. If it's strictly for work, then no. Anyone who tells you going back to school will get you a job better be the one offering you that job.

Because if you're hearing "X is hot, go to school for X and get a great job," then many other people are also hearing about X. So by the time you finish your X program, you're competing with the flood of other X graduates.

So if you're really into X, and understand the opportunity cost of education at this point in your life, and your learning style works in that environment, go for it. Just be realistic about what you're getting into.

3. Look at consulting and short-term/defined scope gigs. There are options for you other than the traditional full-time employee route.

 

[Danger Mouse]

Porter Doran[/url]":2djmjjgh]

Danger Mouse[/url]":2djmjjgh]Did you finish your college degree?

No. I was advised to go ahead and apply to seminary without the BA, and got in.

Fascinating.

Are you still attending?

If so, who does the IT work at the seminary? Give them your resume and ask if they're looking for an intern or even a help desk person, etc.

 

[Dragondazd]

Porter Doran[/url]":2swoe9zf]

Danger Mouse[/url]":2swoe9zf]Did you finish your college degree?

No. I was advised to go ahead and apply to seminary without the BA, and got in.

....and then....?

 

[Porter Doran]

Lost my religion. Long story.

 

[Danger Mouse]

Porter Doran[/url]":2iieom0o]Lost my religion. Long story.

NP, sorry to pry. I thought it might be an easy way in.

I would look at local non-profits to see if they need an IT intern of some kind, or just clean up the resume and put it out there or both.

 

[Porter Doran]

mcmnky[/url]":1s535dl3]1. Work...why? I guess some people feel tied to a career. I don't understand it, but I suppose it can happen.

Anyway, if it's for the money, make sure the money works out. Are there going to be commuting costs? Are you likely looking sat jobs that will require new wardrobe and dry cleaning? You mentioned staying home with the babies--are they still in the picture and at an age where they still need oversight? Child care is expensive. If there's already at least one household income, it's not a given that an additional income will be a net gain for the household.

2. School. Yes, absolutely, every day and twice on Sunday. _IF_ it's for your own curiosity and pursuit of knowledge. If it's strictly for work, then no. Anyone who tells you going back to school will get you a job better be the one offering you that job.

Because if you're hearing "X is hot, go to school for X and get a great job," then many other people are also hearing about X. So by the time you finish your X program, you're competing with the flood of other X graduates.

So if you're really into X, and understand the opportunity cost of education at this point in your life, and your learning style works in that environment, go for it. Just be realistic about what you're getting into.

3. Look at consulting and short-term/defined scope gigs. There are options for you other than the traditional full-time employee route.

Some good, funky advice. I think I'd like it in Monkeyburg.

 

[thomahawk]

If I were looking to start a local IT business* I'd look at being one of those cloud services migration consultants. Getting mom & pop businesses set up with google drive and Xero. Sounds like it would suit your skill set, pretty easy to do, and reasonable opportunity for growth.

Starting your own business is hard, but it has the advantage of not needing to go through the ordeal which is tech hiring, especially as someone over 40. If this is a semi-optional thing anyway then having your own thing going might not be a bad choice.


*For a loose definition of business; more like a $1-2k/month side gig