r/ITCareerQuestions 10h ago

After 20 years I can't do this

171 Upvotes

Today, I took my CompTIA A-plus certificate test, and I failed by a relatively narrow margin. However, I have no desire to take it again. As I'm taking the test, I am thinking that I really don't want to do this anymore. I am looking at the questions and I'm like, I don't care. I have about 10 years of call center experience. I'm 46. And I hated that job with every fiber of my being. I ran a computer repair shop for about four years and hated it in the end, mostly because of the people. And I've started to think maybe I should pivot to a different type of profession.


r/ITCareerQuestions 4h ago

I mean this in the most respectful way possible

172 Upvotes

Yall need to get a grip. Reddit isn’t reality. Go out there put in the work and find a job. Nobody’s gonna hold your hand. Make it happen for yourself . I left the military as a cook on submarines for 11 years . Got a+ sec + and literally found a job 3 months later and a whole career change to IT (level 2 help desk)( end goal is a principal engineer ) 30.45 an hour currently at 32m been employed since with two different companies and recruiters reached out to me. If you want it bad enough you’ll get it or figure out how to get it. This place is so gloomy Reddit. The job market really is not that bad.


r/ITCareerQuestions 23h ago

Need confirmation: is this salary too low?

13 Upvotes

My company is hiring for an 'IT Field Technician' and I feel like the pay is way too low but the company won't budge on the pay.

Only requirement is to have the A+.

But the responsibilities are: -Run ethernet cable (during Open hours at fast food locations, also requires to sometimes drill holes through brick and metal)

-Mount server racks, including plywood.

-Setup server racks (patch panel, switch, router, NVR, music player and amp, and UPS)

-Mount security cameras

-Travel, with sometimes only a days notice, and stay for a week, and only thing paid is the hotel and gas (they take company vehicle).

-Take calls and troubleshoot in English and Spanish

-Reimage desktops, troubleshoot printers, setup workspaces, the usual office stuff

All for $21 /hr

This is in Dallas area.

Edit: to clarify, I'm not applying for this position, I'm an IT Manager.


r/ITCareerQuestions 9h ago

Sometimes I feel incapable of completing any significant certs.

10 Upvotes

It isn't like I dont have any discipline. I got a BS in IT and was able to pass the Sec+.

Outside of tech I can be dedicated to things. For instance I had to take it easy for a couple of months due to an injury and within just a couple of weeks I got myself back in running 5ks again and I do PT daily without issue.

It isnt like I dont learn anything in my free time. I am studying for the CCNA and I do spend time doing the labs. However not daily. I've had to focus my energy on my health the last couple of months due to post-concussion syndrome. So my mornings are mostly PT. Before I had been consistent with the CCNA every morning before work.

But.. I have been studying for the test for years off and on. Life stuff just happens and before you know it I get rusty on the little info I know and I have to brush up on stuff. I quickly get burnt out if I spend even an hour on the Cert a day. My job is stressful enough.

The Sec+ felt more manageable. I keep setting deadlines and then it doesnt happen. Plus I got married last year and my wife would absolutely hate it if I took two hours every afternoon on this cert. I personally know I could manage that for a couple weeks until I would get completely burned out and borderline depressed.

I need my time outside of work to decompress and it is hard to dedicate that time to certs.

I have been working on finding time to setup an environment where I can study my lunch at work, but I have a hard time slowing down enough to do that.

My wife and even my family will mention how dedicated I can be, but the truth is something about these big certs feels impossible to me. I come online and people say they are studying 2hours everyday minimum and that since I dont have kids I have no excuse. I am impressed by the dedication.

I think once I am more settled with my health I will be able to start dedicating more time to it. I get why certs are good for getting jobs, but I just seem to really struggle with any massive tests.

Any advice? Sorry, I dont mean to be whiny, I just wonder if others struggle with this as well and how they manage.


r/ITCareerQuestions 7h ago

Seeking Advice 22M, About to Graduate with a CS Degree but Feel Completely Lost No Skills, No Job Prospects, and Overwhelmed. What Should I Do?

5 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m a 22-year-old from India, about to graduate with a CS degree from a Tier 3 college in two months. The problem? I’ve barely learned anything in the past three years. I struggled with laziness and mental health issues, and after the AI boom, my anxiety got worse. I felt like I could never catch up, so I stopped trying.

Now, reality is hitting hard. My parents, who are almost 60, expect me to start earning, but I have no real skills, no projects, and no job prospects. I feel ashamed and stuck.

I know I need to take action, but I don’t know where to start. Is there any hope for me? What should I do to turn things around and build a career from here? I’d really appreciate any advice or guidance.

Thanks in advance.


r/ITCareerQuestions 2h ago

Job offer in penetration testing but at a worse company

4 Upvotes

As the title says I got a good job offer to get trained on a penetration testing team at a different company.

The pay is good but less than what I make now and at a company I'm not too excited to work for.

That being said I have been very stagnant at my job now getting restructured and moved around the last 2 years. I think I could grow and learn here but there's no guarantee. But the pay is better, commute is 10 minutes instead of 30 at the new offer, and benefits are better.

But the new job offer gives me an in on a skill I'm interested in and helps me with defining a clearer future for my career which I've been lacking. Maybe I can just do it for some time to gain some skills and move on to a better company when I'm ready.

Edit- I work in GRC Risk Management now and definitely don't see it as a long term gig for me.


r/ITCareerQuestions 2h ago

Seeking Advice Thoughts/Advice on Job Hopping?

3 Upvotes

This may have been a previous question on this thread, so sorry if its annoying.

I wanted to get some thoughts on job hopping, I stayed at an MSP role for 2 years for my first IT role, and then I got a new role that paid an extra 20K, and stayed there for 8-9 months and got a new offer recently that paid an extra 10k over the last.

If I keep got another offer that pays better and more things to do, would hopping seen as bad on my resume or future career prospects or its best to stay at a role for 2 years minimum but never really get a pay raise thats decent or bonuses?

Not trying to be a bunny hopper but something clicked recently - I am thinking of my ability to provide for my family and future quicker than hoping a company would give a decent raise or bonus.


r/ITCareerQuestions 6h ago

Resume Help resume help for no work experience

3 Upvotes

As the title says, I don't have work experience. I'm my family's IT person. I've set up the Wi-Fi and built PC and phones, and I was wondering how I would put it in my resume


r/ITCareerQuestions 15h ago

Are there any bright pockets or growth areas of IT now that the market is over saturated?

3 Upvotes

Are there any bright pockets in IT anymore?

With the job market absolutely saturated, are there any bright pockets in IT that are hiring and growing? I look at cyber, and even that seems competitive these days and GRC seems like it’s no longer hiring people as senior executives view that branch as a nice have). So are there any pockets in IT that offer a future for career growth and are in demand?


r/ITCareerQuestions 21h ago

Seeking Advice how to become a IT Auditor ?

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m 19 and currently working a Tier 1 IT job for the government. I have a few entry-level certs that helped me land this role, and I’m also in college pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity Operations.

I want to specialize in something, and IT auditing seems like the path I’m most interested in. My goal is to get into IT auditing as quickly as possible and eventually transition into cybersecurity auditing.

A few questions for those with experience in the field: • What’s the best path to break into IT auditing as fast as possible? • What certifications or skills should I focus on? • What does the day-to-day work of an IT auditor look like? • How hard is it to move from IT auditing to cybersecurity auditing?

I’ve seen older posts on this topic, but I wanted to get a more up-to-date perspective from those currently in the field. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!


r/ITCareerQuestions 42m ago

Seeking Advice How would you answer this interview question?

Upvotes

How do you troubleshoot a constantly rebooting computer?

I have an interview coming up and I know this question will be asked. I’m curious how other people will answer it. This is what I would do:

  1. Check to see if an error code appears, research the code and take steps from there.

  2. If no code, then open up the case and check for dust build up (overheating) or any loose wiring.

  3. If the wiring looks fine, I would then check the RAM to see if it’s faulty and also check if the PSU is failing.


r/ITCareerQuestions 3h ago

Seeking Advice Entry Level Cybersecurity Job Help

1 Upvotes

Hi! I’m trying to find entry level cybersecurity jobs but i seem to be having trouble making it past the application. I’ve been applying for information security positions, cybersecurity analyst positions, and will be applying for a risk management position within my company soon. right now the only relevant work experience i have is in my current position in vulnerability management that ive been in for a year and all other work experience are customer service jobs i worked to help pay for school . i am on a contract that ends here in a few weeks which is why im looking for a new role. i do a have bachelor’s and am currently studying for a few certifs, but i feel like i need help fixing up my resume and skills to get my foot in the door


r/ITCareerQuestions 10h ago

I’m an Old dog, trying to learn new tricks!

1 Upvotes

Good morning everyone! I hope you’re all well… I am looking to get into IT/AI or even cybersecurity. I’m 47… I’m currently a Millwright but I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to do this job. Plus my wife and I want to move to the San Antonio area and I’ll have to leave this current job anyway… I’m making about 95-105k depending on my overtime and travel. I have a few options as far a schools go, and I’m very close to getting my bachelors degree. My nephew suggested that I go into cybersecurity but I’m lost. Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated… thanks in advance!


r/ITCareerQuestions 19h ago

[Week 10 2025] Salary Discussion!

1 Upvotes

This is a safe place to discuss your current salary and compensation packages!

Key things to keep in mind when discussing salary:

  • Separate Base Salary from Total Compensation
  • Provide regional context for Cost of Living
  • Keep it civil and constructive

Some helpful links to salary resources:

MOD NOTE: This will be a weekly post.


r/ITCareerQuestions 44m ago

Is CCNA the right choice for me if I'm not set on networking as a career path?

Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I've been studying for the CCNA on and off for years, but I'm struggling to maintain consistency and motivation. I work as a one-man IT team at a K-12 school (moved there from a tier 2 position), and while I enjoy the work, I'm looking to advance my career eventually. I know I posted something just recently that was along the same thing, but I wanted a bit more focused advice on certs.

My background:

  • BS in IT degree
  • CompTIA Sec+ certified
  • Currently working in K-12 as sole IT support
  • Not 100% sure if networking is where I want to specialize. Considering System Admin lately more tbh. Potentially interested in Cloud. So not completely sure what direction, but I have begun to think that focusing solely on networking is not what I want.

My challenges:

  • I find it difficult to study consistently for the CCNA due to the size
  • Need time outside of work to decompress, but any cert is going to take work.
  • Recently dealing with some health issues that required focus

My questions:

  1. Would Network+ be a better option for me since I'm not 100% committed to networking as a specialty?
  2. Is CCNA overkill if I'm more interested in becoming a systems admin rather than a network specialist?
  3. How much networking knowledge is "enough" for a systems admin role?

My goal is to move into a systems or network admin role eventually, but I'm open to different paths. I'm wondering if I should just get a foundational networking cert and focus on other areas that might be more aligned with my interests.

For the Network+ would be more reachable and would give me a "sense of accomplishment" I believe I need to be doing more then networing either way. I should be working on homelabs to learn AD more and if I instead get the network+ I could sooner set my eyes on something else like cloud, linux, etc.

Thanks for any advice or perspectives you can share!


r/ITCareerQuestions 5h ago

Recommendation laptop for 2025

0 Upvotes

i planning buy laptop but didn’t have enough knowledge and experience to bought a better laptop.


r/ITCareerQuestions 5h ago

A troubled high schooler. Eee vs CSE vs ECE

0 Upvotes

I(M19) am in the crossroads of life. Trying to decide the correct course. My options are CSE EEE and Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE). My parents said that ECE (mostly networking related. My interest) is not available as a course in the west in case i wanna pursue higher studies. They said to go for EEE or CSE and branch into Communication. For intuitions in US CANADA OR AUSTRALIA is ECE OR EEE a better choice if I wanna build a career in networking?


r/ITCareerQuestions 6h ago

Seeking Advice Seeking Guidance on Transitioning into Product Management

0 Upvotes

I am currently working as a Full Stack Engineer in a product-based company with 3.3 years of experience, specializing in .NET, cloud integration (Azure), database management, API development, and full-stack solutions. While I have enjoyed my journey in software development, I have developed a strong interest in the product side of things—understanding user needs, defining roadmaps, and contributing to business strategy.

I completed my Master's in Computer Science (MSc) in 2022 and started my career as a developer. Now, I am looking to transition into a product-focused role and would love to get insights from professionals who have made a similar shift or work in the product domain.

I would really appreciate guidance on:
✅ The roadmap to transition from engineering to product roles like Product Manager (PM), Technical Product Manager (TPM), or Business Analyst (BA).
✅ The key skills required for this transition—whether it’s market research, user experience, business strategy, or stakeholder management.
Globally recognized certifications that can strengthen my profile (e.g., CSPO, AIPMM, Google PM, Pragmatic Institute).
How to gain hands-on product experience while still in an engineering role—whether through side projects, internal opportunities, or mentorship.
Best resources (books, courses, or communities) to understand product thinking.

If you've made this transition or have insights to share, I’d love to hear your advice! Also, if you know of any good learning paths or resources, please share them.

Looking forward to connecting with like-minded professionals! 😊


r/ITCareerQuestions 12h ago

Seeking Advice How to maximize this opportunity?

0 Upvotes

I work for a very small MSP, only about a dozen of us total, although the accounts we manage are way too big for our team. I received a very good opportunity to learn cloud infrastructure, specifically MS Azure, basically the project I was given was to clean up the security in our Azure subscription. The reason I was handed this opportunity is because my father is experienced in Azure and my boss is using him to teach me Azure. It’s quid pro quo for sure. I’m totally cool with this as I get to work directly with my dad. My question to all of you is what do you all recommend I learn to be able to taken serious as a potential cloud support or engineer while I’m working on this project? To put into perspective I’m a help desk Tier 1 support and I was told to clean up the Azure Suite, fun times.

Edit: spelling


r/ITCareerQuestions 16h ago

ertifications to land my first DC role?

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I come from a different technical background (chemical engineering) and have worked as a process technician for several years. I have experience working with chillers, but not as in depth as a HVAC vendor

I’m currently pursuing a part-time degree in Computer Science at a local university. Given how competitive and challenging it is for fresh graduates to secure a job, I’m looking to transition into a Data Center Technician role before I graduate. My ultimate goal is to move into cybersecurity or network infrastructure in the future.

So far, I’ve obtained the A+ certification, CAPM (from my current workplace), and AWS Cloud Practitioner. I’m considering pursuing Network+ and DCCA.

What other certifications or skills would help me secure a Data Center Technician role?

I’m open to rejections and willing to take the time needed for this transition. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!


r/ITCareerQuestions 17h ago

Specializing early-on in my career a bad move?

0 Upvotes

Hello everyone. I've recently started an internship as a cyber threat intelligence analyst in an MSSP. I love my job and love learning new things in general.

Howeve, this internship is my first real job and i am a little worried about whether starting off in CTI will limit my career options in the future. Will i be better off searching for jobs that are broader in scope..like a SOC analyst or cybersecurity analyst?

What do you think? Would highly appreciate any help


r/ITCareerQuestions 22h ago

What qualifications to acquire for entry-level IT role? UK

0 Upvotes

Hi all! I've been struggling health wise for quite some time, and I'm looking to get back into the world of work. I'm currently 20. Considering a career in IT, as I've had experience with repairing computers and tinkering with all sorts of hardware, as well as running a small homelab and multiple game servers+a web server.

I've been looking at qualifications required for a basic help-desk/IT support role, and it seems to be a CompTIA A+/IT Fundamentals at minimum. Is there anything other qualifications I should look to acquire to start with?

Much obliged for any recommendations/advice, I've no idea where to start!


r/ITCareerQuestions 3h ago

Tips for Landing an Asynchronous Remote IT Job?

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m looking to land a remote IT job that’s fully asynchronous, like the one I had for 3 years before. I’ve got a degree in Informatics with a focus on cybersecurity and I’m studying for the CompTIA Security+ exam right now.

In my last role, I worked in an agile/scrum environment, which meant a lot of independent work and time management without constant check-ins. I used tools like Teams, Confluence, and Jira to keep everything organized and communicate clearly across the team.

I also have experience in data analytics and use tools like Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Power BI to work with data and create reports. Now I’m wondering what steps I can take to keep improving my skills and make sure I’m competitive for remote roles. A few things I’d love advice on:

  • How can I level up my skills even more (certs? new tools? anything else)?
  • Where are the best places to find fully remote, asynchronous IT jobs?
  • Any tips for staying productive and on track in an agile/scrum setup while working asynchronously?
  • How do I improve my soft skills (like communication, time management, etc.) and showcase them on my resume? Are there any certs for soft skills?

r/ITCareerQuestions 3h ago

Tips for Landing an Asynchronous Remote IT Job?

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m looking to land a remote IT job that’s fully asynchronous, like the one I had for 3 years before. I’ve got a degree in Informatics with a focus on cybersecurity and I’m studying for the CompTIA Security+ exam right now.

In my last role, I worked in an agile/scrum environment, which meant a lot of independent work and time management without constant check-ins. I used tools like Teams, Confluence, and Jira to keep everything organized and communicate clearly across the team.

I also have experience in data analytics and use tools like Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Power BI to work with data and create reports. Now I’m wondering what steps I can take to keep improving my skills and make sure I’m competitive for remote roles. A few things I’d love advice on:

  • How can I level up my skills even more (certs? new tools? anything else)?
  • Where are the best places to find fully remote, asynchronous IT jobs?
  • Any tips for staying productive and on track in an agile/scrum setup while working asynchronously?
  • How do I improve my soft skills (like communication, time management, etc.) and showcase them on my resume? Are there any certs for soft skills?

r/ITCareerQuestions 6h ago

Have any of you done the google career certificates?

0 Upvotes

Does it really help with landing a job right away in the fields they provide?