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Career change from Management Consulting to IT?

Hi. I am seriously considering changing careers from management consulting to a job in IT; preferably to do with hardware as an engineer or support services. I have a first degree in Business Economics & Finance. I am very technical with PCs and I more or less sort out all of my current office's problems. I have more than 7 years experience working with PCs and regularly upgrade and install parts on my system. I am very confortable with computers and networking and would like to pursue a career where I can improve my skills in the IT sector; does anyone have any tips that can get me started? Do I have get a degree for a career in this sector? All answers welcome.

Public Comments

1. I'm in the same transition. I enrolled to get my degree in IT, and am now looking for paid internships. All the other jobs want experience, so this a way to get that plus a paycheck. A temp agency may help too, I heard they will use your practical technical experience and place you in a job, that's my next stop.
2. With 7 years of experience under your belt and the additional value of management consulting, I think your transition into IT consulting could be rather smooth. A technical degree is not required, though. What is really important is that you can clearly communicate how your technical expertise will benefit an employer who is looking for someone with your skills. I would suggest checking online job sites, just to get an idea of the types of jobs that interest you. Then, review your current resume/job history, note the technical skills (hardware/software/training/documentation/etc.) that you have acquired that seem to fit these types of jobs and begin building a resume that tailors your technical skills to the skills that the employers are looking for. Note: people skills are always a plus, even in IT! Because IT is a constantly changing industry, with new technologies entering the market so often, employers will be particularly interested in the types of hardware or software that you have worked with. If you have been working in a technical support role for a number of years and with fairly recent technologies, you will be surprised at how well you may match up to certain jobs. Also, if you have friends or colleagues already in IT, you may find it helpful to inquire about what they do on a daily basis and let them know of your interest in entering the field. It's time to start networking among IT folks! Finally, joining an IT-based organization or signing up for an IT-based publication will keep you well informed about what is going on in the IT industry. Hope this helps!
3. Since you worked in management consulting, you may consider going into SAP consulting. It's a mix of IT and strategic thinking work that could prove very satisfying for you. Not only that but there is also a hardware component to SAP implementations that can be very rewarding. I enjoy the branch of consulting I am currently working within. You have the right background and you can offer more strategic viewpoints that standard IT folks take years to cultivate. A mix of an understanding of management thinking and technological expertise could net in a pretty good career for you.