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I can help you with this directly. At least at my company, everything is moving to Linux. All of Allstate's database servers, application servers, everything is all moving to Red Hat Linux on x86 hardware. That's the same kind of hardware that a Windows PC uses, and versions of Linux software can be downloaded for free. As a result, this is a platform that is relatively easy to get hands on experience with. You can take an old Windows laptop and download a version of Linux onto it for free. I did this with an old Vista laptop and it worked fine. Then for the cost of a few Kindle books downloaded from Amazon you can learn some basic skills at home and see if you want to learn more. Local community colleges often have Linux courses that are relatively inexpensive. If you are interested in trying this, I am willing to help you get stated and help you pick courses later on. Just send me a message.
I have taught quite a few people how to program over the years. One of the first was an Air Force Tech Sergeant that worked for me as a computer operator. We both got transferred and I lost track of him. I saw him 10 years later at a computer user conference. He had retired and was working as a programmer. At his next duty station after he worked for me, they didn't have a programmer, so he volunteered to try to program the machine, which was completely different from the one I taught him on. He did it so well, he got his AFSC changed to programmer from computer operator.
What aspect of IT? Hardware or software?
If you like gadgetry and taking things apart and putting them back together you can focus on hardware (computer tech, systems, systems admin or network admin). Enter via the computer tech route and then you can move up. Many affordable tech schools or Comm Colleges offer certificates. If you are really smart you could see if you can pass the certification tests just by studying on your own (but that is a tougher route).
If you think you'd like the software/programming arena there are several ways to do it.
- BA or AA first and then go back for BA in Computer Science
- Or I am a big believer in programming bootcamps. They are approx 4 months long, many hours per week (one is 90-100 hrs / wk). They cost 10-20K BUT the hiring rates for graduates are very very good. Note - I know of at least one bootcamp that has only a small down payment (and I think they help you with options for this also ) and you pay nothing else until you are hired. They do this because their hiring rates are above 95%. The pay-later bootcamp is harder to get into. But bootcamps are a new and very promising answer to the IT shortage. And, as someone who has done corporate training for years I believe their approach is spot on. It is totally project focused - you learn by intensive "doing". Google Programming Bootcamps. Best of luck in your quest :=)
Here is one
Sharp Decisions V.E.T.S.™ (Vocation, Education and Training for Service members) Program
http://sharpdecisions.com/whysharp/vetsprogram/
vetinfo@sharpdecisions.com
(212) 403-7592
________________
Richard Buck
rbvetmentor@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/ribuck/
Take a look at: https://www.coursera.org
The offerings are unique in how they deliver the content, and there are options to get more official recognition of the skills that you develop.
Glenn,
Every certification will have to be paid for that's just a fact of life. However, knowledge is free.
Check out these free online courses from Stanford and MIT:
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/#electrical-engineering-and-computer-science
http://online.stanford.edu/course/computer-science-101-self-paced
Vladimir
I have seen discounted offers on Groupon. While I cannot vouch for their efficacy, I would look at what they offer and determine if it's a good option for you.
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