What to pick?

[annbabich]

I'm shifting my career to I.T. But I'm not sure what profession to choose... I need the most demanding one in USA and I don't really have time for 4 years of study. Right now I'm between Software developer and Network Security Specialist. Is there something else that might work for me?

[R1Geezer]

So you want the most demanding IT job in the USA but you do not want to do any study, right oh! Do you imagine that the people that do these jobs do the study unnecessarily then? What is your current IT knowledge? what area do you see yourself moving into?

[annbabich]

I want study; in fact I love going to school. But, I'm 38, and I can't spend another 4 years at school...I need to work, get some experience. I have some knowledge in Web Dev.

[R1Geezer]

OK so presumably you can write HTML etc, have you any programming experience? Java? C++? although more important than the language is the ability to create algorithms. do you have VB? SQL? do you understand Relational databases, Oracle/SYbase for example. Do you know what XML is? have you any midrange or mainframe knowledge? the subject is vast and it's very hard to get into an area unless you can show some expertise and experience on your CV.

You see a lot of people who claim to be IT specialists are really just advanced users.

[annbabich]

I agree with you.
Yes, I'm more a user , but want to be IT specialist. I really want to learn as much as I can, I know I'll not be the best, but at least with some necessary knowledge I could find a job and then educate myself as I can. I need a start, but I don't know how and where.
I know HTML and some ASP.

[R1Geezer]

Very difficult to get through the door into an IT job with no qualifications and little experience, especially in the current jobs climate both sides of the pond.

If you can get any sort of job on the periphery of IT you may be able to later transfer to a trainee/junior position within the company by taking the aptitude test. A couple have done that here recently, no easy way I'm afraid. Good luck.

[annbabich]

Thank you,
I'll try my best..I have nothing to lose!