The question: How do I move from teaching into IT?

[alexknight]

I saw the article below in the computer weekly magazine which atteracted my interest.

 

I thought the last paragraph could be a topic of conversation.

 

Comments please

 

Alex

 

 

The question: How do I move from teaching into IT?

After working as a physics teacher for six years, I have decided to train as an IT professional, but I am at a loss as to what qualifications will be best. I have started the Comptia A+ course, but I do not know what to do next. I am a family man so I will prefer to do something where I can begin to earn as I train.

 

The solution: Focus on Comptia A+, then get an MCSE

 

With no previous IT experience, the Comptia A+ course is the best starting point. It will teach all the basic skills required across a number of entry-level IT jobs.

 

The Comptia net+ course, which is a natural progression from the A+, could give you a bit of an advantage over your peers and provide the knowledge necessary to configure and operate a variety of networking products.

 

These qualifications are obtainable through fast-track teaching methods over four, seven, or 14 days, or through self-study, so you would not need to alter your working hours. As a teacher, you could complete these qualifications outside term time.

 

It is definitely worth investing in recognised qualifications so that you can apply for jobs with established firms. Targeting larger companies will benefit you in the long run, not only in terms of the broader experience they offer, but also because they are more likely to invest in your ongoing training.

 

Further down the line, the MCSE qualification would help elevate you as an expert in the operation of Windows applications and servers, taking you to the salary level that you are already accustomed to.

[Ric_]

lol... I take it you highlighted the last line

[StewartKnight]

typical of the arrogance of teachers.

"Oh I know, I'm brilliant, I'll become an IT expert, despite no experience"

 

Why not aim for brain surgeon?

Perhaps we IT techs make it look too easy!

[crc-ict]

Perhaps we IT techs make it look too easy!

 

All too often I think we do, mainly because a lot of the 'problems' brought to us have very simple solutions - like plugging the blasted thing in!

 

I do get a smug satisfaction from fixing what looks like a huge problem with just a couple of keyboard shortcuts and handful of mouse clicks though! And if you can get in a couple of lines in a command window too all the better, as that just adds to the mystique!

[Midget]

to really add to the mystique, drape a cloth over the computer first

 

I hope he does go into IT, and gets laughed at by all the recruiters

[Halfmad]

Qualifications are all well and good but they only make up about 20% of the knowledge that you need as an IT professional, apart from that you also need to have a very analytical method of troubleshooting with frankly most people can't do well.

 

The adverts etc on TV make it look far too easy to walk into a highly paid IT job, stating the average salary is over £36grand etc.

 

I find that most teachers that SHOULD be good at IT are generally the ones who don't understand how things interact, in other words computing and business studies teachers.

[webman]

Halfmad.. don't forget ye olde 'typists' as well A computer is just an advanced typeright, yes?

[alexknight]

Ric...

 

Yes I seemed to have made a keyboard slip and highlighted the last part. :twisted:

 

The word accustommed too made me chuckle and my instant thought was what else are they accustomed too :?:

 

Another topic of conversation.

 

On a serious note I think this highlights the point that in industry with the MSCE qualifications we could be considered as professionals on a par with our fellow professionals, i.e teachers, and should receive the equivalent renumeration.

 

Alex

[Friez]

I am amused at the quote on the pay. They think that we earn a lot? A shame that it is not really the truth (except for IT areas outside of education). Funny how IT bods in education earn less for having the same skills as an IT bod outside education!

[Geoff]

Funny how IT bods in education earn less for having the same skills as an IT bod outside education!

 

I'd argue we have to do more.

 

Where as in the Comercial sector you'd have a people filling specific roles within even a small IT department. So you'd have for example, a server guy, a network guy and a couple of desktop support guys.

 

In the same sized school (number of PC wise) you'd probably only have one or two techies filling all the above roles.

[Halfmad]

I'd have to agree with Geoff, I don't have any specific role, as the only IT person on site I do the whole lot. I can call upon central I.T. but it's very rare for me to do so and generally only on hardware (network equipment) specifically where I simply don't have the passwords to access it and do the work myself.

 

That wouldn't happen in a private company, there would be 3/4 people doing the same job (comms, desktop,servers, web sites) over 3/4 sites instead of 1 doing each site.

[Firefly_Transport]

There are many comments that come to mind about that artical - sadly I can't bring myself to stop laughing long enough to type them, that I cause some offence to dumb-animals, sorry, teachers.

 

 

I do love the way that they assume that teaching the subject or any other subject is in anyway going to give them the ability to run a site. It is almost sad the way in which they are truly enclosed in the ivory tower of learning.

 

The other reality is that even in the 'real' world, IT pay is being squzeed hard by a great many of the 1990's & 00's wave of wannabe IT gurus.

Too many, most not really upto it but being employed by thoses that know no better. Thoses that do really know it are leaving to other contires, quitting for a more relaxed lifstlye or dropping dead from two decades of stress and overwork.

[Redbox]

Well since you're having so much fun, I guess I'll introduce myself, yet another "dumb animal", a frog in my case.

 

So unless there's a law that says that teachers are cursed never to have the right to aspire to a change of career - please, be kind enough to tell me if the qualifications quoted in the article would suit someone like me who:

 

knows her way around computers (can build one from scratch) but has got no proof of her IT skills - except for some informal collegues training on interactive whiteboards.

 

My teaching contract ends at the end of the year, and there maybe an opening in my school for an IT technician job and I'm considering going for it, as there will be training involved.

Is 14K considered a normal starting salary?

It is pretty low - so I'm thinking that I would earn the same amount doing part time supply and instead maybe I would be better off training for specific qualifications - but which ones?

 

Any advice welcome.

[saundersmatt]

I would say that 14K is far above the normal staring salary. Many people on here will have started at below 10k, and still not have reached 14 yet.

 

Even though the job advertises that they will supply 'training' it may not be formal in the sense of industry recognised qualifications, merely shown how to do things by somebody else there.

 

You don't seem sure about what you would like to do, if you were really keen on maintaining computer systems you wouldn't even be asking.

 

Matt

[localzuk]

Redbox - unless you enjoy working with computers I think you will find being a technician in a school either boring or annoying.

 

However, if you still would like it, I would suggest looking at the A+ qualification to start.

 

And as saundersmatt says, 14K is a good starting rate for a technician! I started on 16K as a network manager and from what I've heard, that is a good starting pay...

[Lee_K_81]

I always find it funny when i get junk mail through the door, saying "change your career" earn up £25k pa with an A+ cert, upto £30k with Network +;

 

erm yeah right! Almost signed up for CIW course a few years ago, signed contract and all. Then did some research and found out i could get same qual for about £500 by buying books and doing the exams myself instead of the £3k they quoted!

 

Redbox, if you are a qualified teacher, i'd stick with that. The change would be difficult, not just the money but the fact you would likely to not get the full hols. £14k is about right around these parts. Depends where you are based. Dont forget that with BSF you probably wouldnt be working for the school in a year or so.

 

If you do want to get the quals, look at A+, Network+, CCNA, MCSE, but I can only recommend doing the work yourself or at a local college. All of these training companies that make huge promises are a waste of time/space/money.

[derer1]

Do bear in mind also that there's often a 'glass ceiling' only a thousand or two above your starting pay. Once you hit the top of that 'pay spine' thats prettymuch 'it' - no TLRs, no prospect to move upward etc.

 

Not impossible for a technician to start on 10k, move up to 16k, and remain on that 16k for the next umpteen years, regardless of skills aquired etc

[bishopsgarthstockton]

@Redbox

 

I went with a training company when i did the A+ 2 weeks later they went bust or liquidation as they like to call it. I felt let down and robbed. best thing to do is buy a book and ask questions on the forum, and get as much practical experience as you can. Stay clear of training companys. Best book for A+ in my opinino is Mike Myers A+ Book

[Lee_K_81]

Best book for A+ in my opinino is Mike Myers A+ Book

 

Yeah man, that book is groovy baby. Really gets your mojo going. Shagadelic. It's also worth noting that Dr Evil also has a book out.

 

I'll get my coat....

[Ashers]

Did you say a French Teacher? If so you could look at working for a French company based in the UK, they pay a little more for fluent speakers and sometimes more if you can read/write the language.

 

I have to agree with the other comments here, keep away from the training companies, local colleges can be good, just depends on their standards, but if you can self study then it’s the cheapest way forward.

 

All the ComTia courses (http://certification.comptia.org/) are recognised and the Microsoft courses (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/default.mspx) build up in stages, you can also use some of the CompTia qualifications towards your Microsoft qualifications.

 

But I'd think about it very hard, my sister in law moved in the opposite direction to you and has said that she wouldn't want to move back? But each to their own

[Redbox]

Thank you very much for all your answers, this is the kind of information and advice I was looking for. I found an A+ manual, not the Myers one but the one 'for dummies' I'll start reading that, but from what I saw this is exactly what I want to learn about.

 

I can self study without any problem. And I'd rather earn less money and do something that doesn't suck my soul on a daily basis. Give me a motherboard and a screwdriver and I shall be a happy bunny.

 

***

 

To saundersmatt ( You don't seem sure about what you would like to do, if you were really keen on maintaining computer systems you wouldn't even be asking.)

 

You mean if I was really keen on maintaining computer systems, I would not go on an IT professional forum to ask what qualification I should get to achieve this and the best way to go about it? *blinks* Er.....sure, next time I'll just wish very hard for the answer.

 

hmmm...is that what you guys call Fuzzy Logic???

[MkII]

£14k - £16k may be average wages in schools but then that is why very many people move on into industry.

 

The pay in industry for an equivellant role is substantially better. Even the Local Authorities pay more with starting salaries @ £16k up to the mid 20's, moving through Desktop Support, Network Support, Security, Server Administration, Database Support etc etc..

 

If you are so minded a school environment can be a very good place to learn. You get to experience most aspects of IT and as has been said on other threads, you can be expected to master every discipline.

[Midget]

Why the hell would you move into EduIT when you can get £90/day on supply work with New Directions?

[SteveT]

quote="Redbox"]..........knows her way around computers (can build one from scratch)

 

I'm afraid that you would be expected to know considerably more than this to get a tech job in education starting at 14K! Some networking knowledge would also be required I would have thought. Suggest you look at the BECTA spec for IT technicians at linky for some further info on this. The idea of studying while doing supply work makes sense if you are determined.

 

It can be done however, I spent 20 years as a teacher before moving into this field, though I did have an advantage I suppose in that I had worked with computers previous to teaching, and my degree was maths and computer science.

 

Best of luck if you do decide to go down this route.

[Redbox]

Midget wrote: Why the hell would you move into EduIT when you can get £90/day on supply work with New Directions?

 

90£ a day? This is what a NQT gets on supply, last time I worked for an agency I was on 140£ a day.

 

I don't enjoy my work though, teaching languages to teenagers is like pulling teeth out and don't get me started on the paperwork.

 

To Steve: the school will provide the training, my initial lack of knowledge doesn't seem to bother them too much.

 

Thanks to you and Mark for this info, you guys have been all most helpful.