Getting back into the IT industry at 50?

• 

  DreadPirateRoberts on 26/08/2021 - 17:00

  +7

  The more time I spend in industry, the more I realize that university lecturers aren't well suited to preparing people for actual work. Not sure what you're going to learn studying compsci since it's a lot of academic / theoretical application and not a great deal of practical skills (unless you enjoy it, then go for it).

  It depends on your skill set though for what you could "quickly" get into. Being an infra / SAN / VMWare guy probably lends itself reasonably well to something like a cloud architect. Is this something you would look into? A base level cert like AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner will get you familiar with the technology and offerings but won't really make you a cloud architect.

  Cybersecurity is harder to get into if you don't have the experience or network connections.

  All that being said, everywhere is struggling to hire so there is a good chance you will get hired reasonably quickly if you've got a decent technical head on your shoulders.

  • 

    Pazanski on 03/09/2021 - 22:15

    "Cybersecurity is harder to get into if you don't have the experience or network connections."

    I disagree with this. Have been working in cyber for 6 years and can tell you the majority of SOC jobs are like a revolving door. Its shit pay, shit hours, stressful but it gets your foot in the door.

    Have known people to do the free cert IV in Cyber through a 1 year TAFE course and they have been able to get jobs at major telcos and the big 4 easily.

• 

  mskeggs on 26/08/2021 - 17:02

  I would start by doing some contracting, VMWare is still in high demand, and you could find a role that values that experience.
  With your background, I’d probably start with the free intro certs from AWS and Azure so you are speaking the right language, even if you aren’t experienced.
  This lets you say you are keen to gain experience in new cloud stuff.

  I wouldn’t start from scratch in a new segment, when you already have adjacent experience.

• 

  cjbowden on 26/08/2021 - 19:40

  There is still plenty of VMWare around, but it's all about Cloud these days. If you are planning on a Cert of any type, Azure would be my recommendation followed by AWS.

  However, be trying to get a job anyway. Don't bother applying on Seek. Waste of time.

  Do look at Seek every day to see who is hiring. If you see an interesting job, see if you know anyone at that company from your previous 15 years and ask them to refer you. Linkedin is great for finding people you know in a company, but call or email them instead of messaging them.

  The other good strategy is work out which are the agencies that seem to have the contracting work. Arrange to meet with one of their consultants and if they like you, they will be able to find you some contract work which may then lead to something better.

  Applying blind is demoralising and a waste of effort. Use your network.

• 

  mickyb80 on 26/08/2021 - 20:56

  +1

  Simple answer - don't!
  If you can take early retirement - go enjoy life!

  IT is not where you want to be anymore… Really not what it was 5 yrs ago, let alone 10 or 15 yrs ago.

  If you need, really want, or must, and taking an average salary (market average) is ok. See if you can get a seat with one of the better mid-sized local (Aussie) VAR's or the likes.

  A lot of the globals are pretty cheap in the tech space for salary's now. There was a big influx of 'sponsored staff between 5-10yrs ago.

  Alternatively, if you have the skills and understand the business side of things well enough, and tech, then perhaps a role with one of the banks would be the go. They are always hiring people… Remembering though, most of the roadmaps for big orgs such as those in the banking sector and the likes, end up with a focus on aaS platform migration in the coming 1-5 yrs.

  • 

    serpserpserp on 26/08/2021 - 22:31

    then perhaps a role with one of the banks would be the go

    If you hated IT 5 years ago, you'll really hate IT at a bank. Lumbering dinosaurs and the people leading the mobile/app spaces are usually talking heads/good looking management that don't know a thing about tech. Plus the hiring managers in most super tech areas of a bank are rusted on's that manage up like their life depends on it or are downright bullies.

    Massive generalisation I know. The cybersecurity teams are good but be wary of the odd arrogant nerd you might come across in those spaces, hard to work with.

    If you must work for a bank, find one that is completely fine with you working from home full time lockdowns or not.

    How old is your wife OP? Training to get into nursing in your mid-40s is no joke. I know someone doing this in their mid 40s now and seems like something you'd want to get OUT of by the time you hit 50!

    • 

      mickyb80 on 26/08/2021 - 22:39

      hahahaha - can't say I totally disagree. In the past this was very much a concern, however, being involved with this segment, each and every day now, I can say there has been and continues to be a massive change and shift in the culture (for the better I feel) across many of the banking and financial sector organisations. Be that local (AU) as well as global.
      Granted, I don't claim to work with every single division, nor every single fin company locally or worldwide, but I can confidently say, I feel a seasoned candidate as OP appears to perhaps be, in the right company, right seat, I suspect they may do well for the next 5-10 years while drawing closer to retirement.
      Just my guess (without personally speaking to, or knowing OP). :)

      • 

        serpserpserp on 26/08/2021 - 22:42

        No doubt you can score a cushy job in IT at a bank. You just have to follow your nose and get to the right spot.

        • 

          mickyb80 on 26/08/2021 - 22:55

          @serpserpserp: Spot on, there is plenty out there.
          Talk to a lot of the banks each day and they are all screaming for good candidates. Lots and lots of projects on the go with each and every one of them!

  • 

    mgryder on 27/08/2021 - 10:03

    I wish, but with 4 kids and mortgage it's definitely not an option to retire now :-)

• 

  thatonethere on 27/08/2021 - 09:05

  +1

  You could look at being a tech writer/BA - usually lot of contract roles (short term)

  • 

    mgryder on 27/08/2021 - 09:44

    I have been thinking about this as really at this point writing is my strong skill right now.

    My wife is 38 and already completed her grad cert and on her way to her masters in the next couple of years. She is very good at her Job and ambitions so will be a Clinical Nurse in the next couple of years.

    We always intended for me to be the reduced income..I have looking at a bunch of other things such as freelance building design, landscape/earthworks, mature age apprentice. Stuff gets complicated when you get over 40.

    "Applying blind is demoralising and a waste of effort. Use your network."

    this I have found so been super discouraged thusd this post - never heard back from even a helpdesk temp role in months.

    • 

      serpserpserp on 27/08/2021 - 11:25

      this I have found so been super discouraged thusd this post - never heard back from even a helpdesk temp role in months.

      A lot of people write up one resume and cover letter and fire it off to heaps of jobs and are surprised they hear nothing back. If you want the job you have to take the time to really tailor both cover letter and resume to the job ad. Even if you think you are over qualified. You need to show people you are appropriately qualified, hungry for the job and know something about the business you want to work for.

      • 

        mgryder on 27/08/2021 - 11:39

        I write resumes and cover letters for a living and every resume and cover letter I write is tailored to the position, core values of the organisation and key skills that they are looking for.

        The issue is - I need to bite the bullet, do some certs and then get into the process again..thus this post to see what might be a good place to start skillwise.

        • 

          mickyb80 on 27/08/2021 - 11:53

          @mgryder: In this case, would you have the ability to sell and buy people?

          HR/Recruitment - IT Tech-focused…

          • 

            mgryder on 27/08/2021 - 13:37

            @mickyb80: I had a bit of a go at this a few years backs whilst working as a tech in Sydney and went through the interview pitch process.

            end result is that I may not have had the sales experience or killer instinct to work in recruitment. Doesn't HR require tertiary quals?

            • 

              serpserpserp on 27/08/2021 - 17:41

              @mgryder:

              Doesn't HR require tertiary quals?

              Couldn't be more than a 6 week private course worth of information. But yes you could do a major in HR at a uni these days.

        • 

          serpserpserp on 27/08/2021 - 17:43

          @mgryder: You could also do the trick of leave 10-15 years experience out of the resume to make yourself appear younger on paper. Then at least you'd get the interview if they weren't ageist!

    • 

      thatonethere on 27/08/2021 - 17:55

      Put in your CV and what you want to pitch yourself as with a recruitment firm (contracting one). Even if your first role or two is short it will build up your experience.

      The recruitment firm will do all the work of pitching your CV so 50% of the work is done. Just a final interview and perhaps not even that with the actual company. My company we like to do a final interview we don't do blind.

      • 

        mgryder on 28/08/2021 - 13:00

        Problem solved, I have been looking at some demographics, and costs to recertify.

        Going back to uni to finish my Nursing degree and will just leave IT/coding/gaming etc as a hobby - I have less to do to finish and realistically much better employment opportunities, progression and benefits.