Starting out advice?

[Jenni]

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong forum/thread, but I thought general sort of covered everything. Okay here I go.

So I'm 20 years old, I have completed a BTEC National Diploma in Interactive Media (and gained a C&G Key Skills 2 in ICT), and then I went onto to do a Foundation Degree (same as a HND) in Contemporary Art Practice; so as you can tell, I steered down the art path.

It took me moving out down to university last month to realise I didn't want to go down this route any more, and that I wanted to do something in which I was good at; IT. Now, preferably I'd like to be a primary school IT technician, and I was just wondering how I would start this?

Is it best to go back to college level and study, or volunteer at schools, or just go for it and apply everywhere? What would you people recommend? Thanks!

Also editing to say, obviously being my age, and already having studied to a high level, I'd have to now pay all of my course fees.

[Flatpackhamster]

Hi.

 

One of the difficulties you'll run in to, I think, is that primary schools can only really afford one person for their IT. As a result of that they will hire someone with some experience, so if you don't have any you'll find it very hard to find that sort of work.

 

You might be better off looking at secondary/grammar/public schools/colleges/universities which have larger teams and which train people from the ground up.

 

Having done an MSc in Computing Science and had it do me no good whatsoever finding a job (in 1999/2000) I would say that in IT experience is everything and that you'll only get that experience by starting work. Even if it's just volunteer work it will help your CV and help you to decide whether or not you really want to work in IT in education. You may find that you prefer a professional environment instead of an academic one.

 

IMO the salaries are pretty shoddy in IT. When I started (back in 99/2000) a level 1 IT tech who was new to the game was earning about £13,500. Ten years on it's about £17,000. That's a real-terms drop in salaries. Most of the geeks I know supplement their income with side work, fixing friends' or neighbours' PCs. Don't let me put you off - I've been self-employed fixing computers for 8 years and I never get up in the morning wishing I did something else. But I'm not rich and I'm never going to be.

[crazytechnician]

I am a technician in primary schools and I have to agree with flatpackhamster. I have just moved to a company who provide ICT support to primary schools but previously I worked for the local council looking after 5 primaries. They do only tend ot have one technician so as already mentioned, it can be very hard to get into. You may be better looking at companies who provide that sort of support as they will be more willing to take on someone with less experience as they have back up and the resources to train and support you.

[JoeBloggs]

Volunteering in any IT department will do you good. Whilst doing this, apply for junior roles. Flat mentioned £17k, to be honest if you get your first job in IT on £17k you're doing well!

 

While doing both of the above, you should try some self studying - starting with CompTIA A+ and N+. These will give you good knowledge and understanding in IT and employers will recognise them.

[penfold]

I would apply anywhere & everywhere. The pay in schools for entry level techs is quite low so it is unlikely you will be up against candidates with both quals & experience. However, it would be good for you to get some experience in a school environment and this could be done on a voluntary basis while you are applying for work.

 

As has been said techs in schools (not just primary) are often a "one man show" and as such having a range of skills can make you more employable than being an expert in one area. Getting experience in any working environment can help you broaden your skills.

Edited October 19, 2011 by penfold

[mgarland]

Hi,

 

I did EXACTLY what you did. I went to uni for a year realised it was not my thing and decided I wanted a career in IT. After 6 months washing dishes and serving chips I got an apprenticeship, this is by far the best way to do it imo!

 

If you wanna talk to me about my experiences or ask me any questions drop me a PM.

 

Cheers.

[Earthling]

Go for it and apply everywhere. If you don't take a shot, you can't score a goal. If you don't buy a ticket, you can't win the lottery. if you.....uhhhhh.......run out of metaphors or whatever they are.

 

Good Luck.

[dwhyte85]

IMO the salaries are pretty shoddy in IT. When I started (back in 99/2000) a level 1 IT tech who was new to the game was earning about £13,500. Ten years on it's about £17,000. That's a real-terms drop in salaries. Most of the geeks I know supplement their income with side work, fixing friends' or neighbours' PCs. Don't let me put you off - I've been self-employed fixing computers for 8 years and I never get up in the morning wishing I did something else. But I'm not rich and I'm never going to be.

 

I don't think the salaries are shoddy, I think it depends where you are and how they value you. Schools are more likely to recruit someone with less skills for retention with the exception of a NM - even then they may drop standards to keep someone for longer, each recruitment drive costs money and it's difficult with each changeover of staff.

 

When I first left uni, first thing I did was make bang out my CV to anyone that would take it. I was very lucky to get a role at 3m straight away, need more than ability - but you'll find work, even if it takes a while and the more interviews you have the stronger you'll be

Edited October 20, 2011 by dwhyte85

[mthomas08]

I started off doing NVQ IT Level 3 (after doing NVQ Admin Level 2). These gave me real working experiences, I was actually a part of an IT System supporting Users/Fixing problems, this gave me experience which in turn turned in to a job as a Technician. The course work on the NVQs were very easy and the down side is the fact it is treated like a job - 9-4:30 mon-fri.

 

Be warned though treatment of IT people isnt the best in education

[dwhyte85]

Be warned though treatment of IT people isnt the best in education

 

True story! Then again, no matter where you go you'll get that. Either people or scared of IT or think they can do IT, not sure which is worse!

[Jenni]

wow guys, thanks for all the replies!

 

I will definitely take on board all of your advice, sounds like you are all telling me to go for it; but I understand about how it would be hard to go into a primary school if there's only one person behind the scenes, I mean it doesn't have to happen straight away, I can get experience somewhere else, or maybe I will like it in a different environment! I'll start asking around for people willing to take on trainees, or volunteers, as I don't think I'm anywhere near experienced as someone who has studied IT. When next year rolls around I may enrol onto a college course and study IT, and the college I was looking at even has a Microsoft Academy, so it seems good.

 

Also a thing about the apprenticeships is I actually can't start one; well I was told I can't by one woman, and another said I can but it's extremely hard, because I have already studied way past the level of apprenticeships, the only thing I can do is volunteer or just start a job unfortunately.

[featured_spectre]

Jenni, if it helps I have plenty of slides and training manuals that would be of good use so you can have theoretical knowledge for some of the stuff you will come across in daily life at schools - Mainly office, XP, 7 and Windows Server 2003 / 2008 based . Pretty much troubleshooting slides and how to's but believe me, they are handy to have and if you are volunteering, one thing you may be able to do is offer to teach this stuff to the staff at a reduced instructor rate (say £20 an hour) and offer to do it a couple days a week for a term or offer to fit it around their twilight sessions.

[X-13]

Pretty much troubleshooting slides and how to's but believe me, they are handy to have

 

~Raises hand~

 

Ooh, Ooh! Please, Sir. Mr. Nephilim, Sir!

 

Can I get a copy of those please?

[featured_spectre]

Yeh, I will zip them up and drop them on my sky drive this evening

[mgarland]

wow guys, thanks for all the replies!

 

I will definitely take on board all of your advice, sounds like you are all telling me to go for it; but I understand about how it would be hard to go into a primary school if there's only one person behind the scenes, I mean it doesn't have to happen straight away, I can get experience somewhere else, or maybe I will like it in a different environment! I'll start asking around for people willing to take on trainees, or volunteers, as I don't think I'm anywhere near experienced as someone who has studied IT. When next year rolls around I may enrol onto a college course and study IT, and the college I was looking at even has a Microsoft Academy, so it seems good.

 

Also a thing about the apprenticeships is I actually can't start one; well I was told I can't by one woman, and another said I can but it's extremely hard, because I have already studied way past the level of apprenticeships, the only thing I can do is volunteer or just start a job unfortunately.

 

This seems like you have been fed a line here! I know it is rude to ask a lady how old she is but.... how old are you?

 

I have a friend who did her degree then got a catering apprenticeship so I see no reason why the same can't be done with IT.

 

Though the volunteer advice is good advice. When I was doing my apprenticeship I got a Saturday job in a little computer repair shop as the counter guy which added to my experiences so little things like that are good to look out for as well.

[Rydra]

The problems with apprenticeships, is many (but not all) have age limits on them, and especially in todays climate they more often will take a 16-20 year old than someone most people class as an adult.

 

But definately go for it. I've never studied IT till recently in any respect, and I've worked my way up over the last 8-9 years. When I started I was earning £8k per year and I now sit comfortably about £20k per year.

 

The more time spent in IT, the more you realise. It's not what you know or what you learn or what you study.

It's how you handle and analyse situations and problems.

A clear thinker with a smattering of common sense will go far in IT, and you'll find you'll learn what you need to know as you go along in it; you only gain experience by doing it.

Every IT course I've seen, and the few I've tried, never seem to live in what anyone would call the real world. They invariably teach you somethings you don't need to know, not enough time on the things you do, and concentrate more on bespoke and linear options, which in my experience, nothing in IT is ever as straight forward as it seems.

 

Go for anything and everything, live it up, and make sure you enjoy it on some level. If your not enjoying it once you average out the good days with the bad, your in the wrong job!

[Flatpackhamster]

I don't think the salaries are shoddy, I think it depends where you are and how they value you. Schools are more likely to recruit someone with less skills for retention with the exception of a NM - even then they may drop standards to keep someone for longer, each recruitment drive costs money and it's difficult with each changeover of staff.

 

Yes, that's true. I'm in SE England, outside London (so no weighting for that), and with the cost of living down here as high as it is a 1st line tech will struggle, but I imagine that money goes further practically anywhere else in the country.

[featured_spectre]

If you live within 60 miles of london, cost of living is horrendous - When I was in Lincoln a while back to visit my uncle, he is paying the same for his 5 bed house in council tax as I am for my 2 bed house. Also his food bill is less despite we visit similar shops and such like. All a case of where you live and how you stretch the pennies

[Jenni]

Well don't worry, I live in the West Midlands so it's not expensive at all! Haha!

 

@nephilim I'd love a copy of those slides! Study time for me ;D

 

@mgarland It says in my OP that I am 20, and I was told this by the apprenticeship spokesperson at a college, and then my Next Step advisor told me it's possible to get an apprenticeship, although it's a lot harder because they may go for someone younger with less experience first. Though I may apply to one, since it will help. Also I am considering asking around computer repair shops near where I live--there's one about 5 minutes away but it's family run business! ;/

 

Once again thank you for all the help and replies, I did NOT expect two pages! Reading the replies have given me some great ideas!

[mgarland]

@OP

 

Yea I was 19 almost 20 when I started mine so it is not impossible.

 

My Boss actually wanted someone a bit older what with it being a secondary school with a 6th form.... A 16 year old person may struggle in that environment. Yea they can be tough little jobs to find.

 

I still really sell the apprenticeship to people as I freaking loved mine and it has set me right up as most employers prefer experience over certificates to be honest. I am now 21 and in a nice stable IT job with a nice salary so it can defiantly work out for people!

 

Anyway I wish you the best of luck whichever way you go. Make sure you keep us updated!

[GREED]

Jenni

 

On the subject of apprenticeships let me know the quals you have comepleted (the exact titles) and I can tell you what you can and can't do as a result. I currently (for 3 more days) work as an IT Apprenticeship Manager so can give you the facts. It is true that higher learning more or less rules you out of an apprenticeship under normal circumstances, although there are companies (I know of one in the South) who are working to create and deliver 'Level 4' apprenticehips in IT, equivilant to foundation degree level.

 

From experience I would ignore what you have been told about experience or over qualified, most employers I work with, if you were about to do an apprenticeship with them would jump on you (not literally!). This is a funny market for apprentices in particular right now.

 

Happy to give more specific advice if needed, just let me know.

[aerospacemango]

Jenni...........

 

Find yourself someone who is willing to take a punt on you! That's what I did, and 3 years later, I know he's very glad he did!!!

 

I started with a CompTIA A+....It got my foot in the door. Take short term contracts, cos they can go permanent! You don't say where you are in UK?

 

Cos I do know of a place that may be coming up real soon......

[CSCD]

If it is your dream to do IT, you should go for it. Look for opportunities to build your skill set and knowledge base so you become a more valuable player. You might have to do something else for a while to pay the bills, but if you are willing to work and make the sacrifice, you will come out OK. You should pick one specialty area and then diversify into other skills. Good luck!

[MatthewL]

Can I ask where abouts you are based as I if you are Lincolnshire area I may be able to get you in with us for some experience, cannot promise pay but certinally experience. Was only talking about it in the office this afternoon as we loose 2 tech's this next week as part of a staff transfer.

[Jenni]

@mgarland wow congrats, I'm glad that you are in a stable job now! It's not so much about my age but about my qualifications, but I'm sure it was you who said you had a friend who studied at degree level--so it's possible for me to get one, which is exciting news!

 

@GREED I finished a Foundation Degree which is obviously level 5, I also have done a BTEC National Diploma and have key skills City & Guild level 2 in ICT & Application of Number as well as level 3 in communication. Thank you for your help! It's nice to know that some employees will look past what level I am and take me on!

 

@aerospacemango & @MatthewL I am from Staffordshire, West Midlands.