Some tips to keep in mind when looking at different training options.
Technology career transitions aren't just for people on the outside who want to come in. Many tech professionals also change specialties within IT. If you're looking to switch gears a bit, here's how to find the time and money to develop new skills.
Know thyself
Don't try to cram your desire for evolution into a container that can't hold it. Sure, network administrators make great money, but if routers confound you and cables are beyond your comprehension, this probably isn't the field for you. Evaluate your strengths before you dive in.
Gravitate toward careers that use technology in ways that you find naturally interesting. Enjoy music? Consider working with MIDI technologies. How about newspapers? There are many positions for software installation, troubleshooting, and systems analysis. Seek out ways in which your interests and passions intersect with technology.
You don't need to be a programming guru to be a tech professional. There are a wide variety of careers revolving around technology that don't involve writing code, doing server maintenance, or creating database tables. Other tech-specific but non-programming career paths include human resources for tech employees, technical writing, and graphic design.
There's always a technical slant for your skill set; sometimes it just takes a little more in-depth thinking.
Finding time
Not enough hours in the day to go to work, have a life, and advance your career, too? There are options for learning besides traditional instructor-led classes. Explore the world of Web-based training, online tutorials, books, and local user groups.
Some people abandon their current career path and head back to school full-time. You can almost always find loan or grant financing of some sort. Good resources are the William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan and estudentloan.com.
Finding the money
Interested in getting your MCSE or MIS? Many employers will pay for your training. Some – usually large, national companies – make tuition reimbursement part of their benefit packages. See if your employer is one, or make it a prime factor in your job search. Tuition reimbursement is almost always a perk when your company employs many people who need regular training upgrades.
In addition, some private companies provide loans to people returning to school full time. One example is including a notable partnership between Microsoft and Key Bank called Microsoft Skills 2000, which provides loans for continuing education in technology-related fields.
Many schools have scholarship programs for returning and/or non-traditional students. Call the institution's financial aid office to see what they offer. Also, ask if they offer academic credit for your life experience. Policies vary on this, but it's worth asking whether your on-the-job learning will count toward anything academic. In addition, you might be able to test out of some lower-level courses in areas such as English and math.
You can deduct as much as US$1,500 for out-of-pocket postsecondary education costs with the new Hope tax credit. In addition, the federal government offers a lifetime-learning tax credit, which entails deductions as high as US$1,000.
