Introduction.
When changing career, the first step is always the hardest part, how does someone get started with that initial ‘foot in the door’?
Realistic Short-Term Goals:
IT is full of exciting job titles, such as ‘Ethical Hacker’, ‘Penetration Tester’, ‘DevOps Engineer’ and many more. Having an ultimate career aim in mind is always a great idea.
However, no matter what certifications/qualifications you obtain, it is highly unlikely that someone would ever walk into such as role, without having any previous experience.
It is also important to understand that there are paths of skill development which are important to follow.
For example someone who would like to work in Network Security would need a solid background in networking first.
“You cannot expect to secure a network or identify network security issues without a thorough understanding of networks in the first place”
Aiming for entry level roles is usually the most successful strategy when starting out.
Fortunately, IT is an industry which provides excellent career progression opportunities.
We have seen many former Kandu students start with entry level qualifications such as the BTEC Level 2 move on to have stellar IT careers with huge organisations such as AWS and Github.
Having been successful in taking that first step, many are able to climb the ranks rapidly.
Where are the entry level jobs?
Key terms to lookout include:
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- IT Support
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- IT Help Desk
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- IT Service Desk
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- Triage
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- Junior Support Technician
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- Junior Network Technician
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- 1st line/2nd line support
In UK, the public-sector can offer some great starting points. This would include organisations such as the NHS, schools, colleges, universities and councils.
Initially, the salary may be relatively low, but because of this staff turnover can be quite high which in turn does create opportunities for those new to the sector.
A University typically has a large IT department with several sub-departments.
In the diagram below, we have marked common entry points in Red.
Those marked in purple are roles which might sound more attractive and can act as targets you can then work towards once inside of the organisation.
For example, should you find yourself initially in Triage (1st line support), you could then start to plan how best to move into Cyber Security when a position opens in the future.
‘IT Purchasing’ and ‘IT Projects’ marked in blue are examples of roles where experience of similar roles in other sectors could provide an edge, should you have experience of project management then many of those skills are transferrable and may help you enter the IT sector in a similar capacity.
Of course, once you have some experience under your belt moving to other organisations/the private sector would become much easier.
Below is the career path taken by a real Kandu IT student who we initially worked with back in 2016, starting with the BTEC Level 2.
Skills, Experience & Certifications
Even when aiming for entry level jobs in IT, it is rare that anyone will get an opportunity without being able to demonstrate their value in some way to a potential employer.
If you are completely new and currently have none of the above, then the first task is developing an achievable roadmap where you can look to fill these gaps.
Certifications and Qualifications
Aside from providing proof of knowledge/skills, a recent IT-related qualification is a great way of showing a potential employer that you have initiative, are able to commit to something and see it through to successful completion.
There are thousands of qualifications and certifications available and knowing where to start can be extremely difficult.
Once you have established what is available, it is a good idea to decide on a path and think 2-3 steps ahead. You may land your first role after completing just a single certification, it may take more than this but continually improving and working towards something is a good approach.
At Kandu we specialise in moving people towards careers in Networking, then to Cyber Security, as such our recommended, established path is always:
IT Support -> Networking -> Cyber Security
IT Support – The fundamentals of computer hardware and software. Learn how build and configure computer systems and learn how to troubleshoot common problems.
Although there is a valid argument that hardware skills are becoming less important for entry level roles, having an understanding of these technologies still provides an essential platform for more complex technical subjects.
Certifications:
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- Free IT Support Foundations – This is not an accredited certification but is a good introduction to the subject as a starting point which is 100% free.
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- BTEC ICT Systems & Principles Level 2 – Can be completed in just 120 learning hours, no pre-requisites, aimed at complete beginners. Requires no exams, assessments are completed online and are a mix of knowledge based and practical activities. Fully accredited qualification which is valid for life.
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- CompTIA A+ – Although can be suitable for beginners CompTIA recommend 9-12 months IT experience. Requires up to 150 hours of study, Exam based (2 exams needed). Certification is valid for 3 years, can be extended as part of CompTIA’s continuing education units.
Networking – We all use computer networks every single day, but how does this work behind the scenes? Understanding theory such as the OSI Model, along with practical skills configuring various network devices, servers and IP networks is key foundational knowledge for those looking to move into Cyber Security.
Certifications:
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- CompTIA Network+ – CompTIA recommend 9-12 months experience of working in with computer networks, A+ or similar entry level certification as a pre-requisite. Requires up to 120 hours of study, 1 x Exam Required. Certification is valid for 3 years, can be extended as part of CompTIA’s continuing education units.
Cyber Security – This is a catch-all term for many different disciplines. Cyber Security professionals can specialise in Networks, Code, Hardware and any other field which comes under the banner of ‘computing’. It is not really possible to take a single course to become a ‘Cyber Security Expert’, in reality a Cyber Security Expert has an in-depth, thorough understanding of whatever it is they are trying to secure. In the example track we have provided we would look back at the subjects covered in IT Support and Networking and examine potential security issues related to these technologies, how best we can test for these and ultimately secure them?
Certifications:
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- CompTIA Security+ – CompTIA recommend 9-12 months experience of working in with computer networks, or a certification such as Network+ for entry. Requires up to 160 hours of study, 1 x Exam Required. Certification is valid for 3 years, can be extended as part of CompTIA’s continuing education units.
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- BTEC ICT Systems & Principles Level 3 – Can be completed in just 240 learning hours, has no official pre-requisites, although complete beginners might consider starting with the Level 2. No exams are required, assessments are completed online and are a mix of knowledge based and practical activities. The Level 3 encompasses the entire track of IT Support -> Networking -> Cyber Security, providing solid fundamentals in all areas, however not quite to the depth of dedicated certifications like the Network+ and Security+. Fully accredited UK qualification, valid for life and UCAS points are applicable for entry to higher education.
Other useful entry level certifications:
Entry level roles are usually quite Microsoft-centric and some common products many use are:
Although it is recommended that you complete at least one IT Support related certification first, Microsoft provide free learning resources from the links above. Having even a conversational knowledge of these products can be very useful for entry level job interviews.
Skills & Experience.
Building real world skills and gaining experience is easier now then it ever has been.
Cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, GCP and Linode allow you to ‘spin up’ virtual machines in the cloud and work on real systems. Most also provide some free credit as a welcome bonus.
Single board computers such as the Raspberry PI and mini-computers allow for home labs to be assembled very affordably.
For example, learning to work with Linux or to code with Python would be a fantastic addition to your CV, these are in-demand skills and will be of great use to you whilst you move up the ladder.
Learning can be difficult if it feels you are studying something “for the sake of it”, but if you would like to learn more about Linux then try to think of some projects which would be useful to you in real life, for example building a media server for your home network. This type of project can be fun, useful and you will learn far more than you often will than blindly following tutorials.
If you are learning to code, make use of Github as a place to show off your work.
Setting up a webserver with a webpage/blog to show off your projects is something you could include on your CV and describe in your ‘hobbies’ section which could be a good way of impressing a potential employer and filling in gaps created by a lack of work experience in a new industry.
Transferrable skills.
Last but certainly not least you should not forget about your experienced gained from other job roles you have held in the past.
Too often an applicant will focus solely on IT, neglecting other qualifications and achievements, mistakenly seeing them as not being relevant.
Entry level IT roles are usually interlinked with customer service. Good communication skills are essential and if you have worked in non-IT roles which have required dealing with customers, or supporting others these should always be highlighted on your application.
For such a role, it is perfectly possible that an employer might prefer someone with a strong background in customer service and a single IT certification, over another applicant who has several IT certifications but no experience in a customer facing role.