Deb Yeagle ⋅ Tampa, FL Plan To Win, Inc. ⋅ 39 years experience

Hi Kenny-
Thanks for your service!
I agree with John...the more certifications the better!
Have you considered seeking paid or unpaid part time internships in IT?
This could boost the appeal of your resume. Even showing volunteer IT experience would be beneficial if you have an opportunity to provide your skills in a volunteer capacity.
Best of luck!
Deb

Stacey Murphy ⋅ Denville, NJ Beacon Consulting ⋅ 18 years experience

Hi Kenny, best of luck to you as you make your career change. I noticed that you have experience in logistics and other areas, which you included in your background. I was wondering if you have a resume and a linked in profile? If you create a good resume and linked in profile you can showcase your many overlapping skills (attention to detail, organization, etc.) that an IT recruiter would be looking for. Also, once you're on linked in, you can connect with others who may ultimately help you connect with job leads. AND, on linked in you can search job opportunities and apply, and also see what hiring managers are looking for. If you have a resume I'm happy to take a look at it or talk through how to set up a linked in profile and use linked in.

Theodore Abbott ⋅ Vine Grove, KY InspiriTec Inc. ⋅ 5 years experience

I understand what you are going through as well. I am about to graduate with a Bachelors Degree with no certifications. I was lucky enough to become a contractor and worked my way into a Network position within 7 months. Sometimes you have to look at an IT helpdesk scenario to get that experience under your belt. Then it will open more doors for you.

Neil Serafin ⋅ Easthampton, MA Telecommunications ⋅ 40 years experience

45k is too low to shoot for. Look for that and they will pigeon hole you as a Tech, not one with a four degree. In fact you can make that 45k climbing poles with a ladder, installing Cable TV. I agree, don't get yourself into debt on a student loan. Suggest you use your GI points for a Fed Job. You could be working IT for the Forest Service, cataloging hazardous trees at Yosemite.

John Green ⋅ Cary, NC Information Technology ⋅ 40 years experience

Hi Kenny,

Please refer to https://www.roberthalf.com/workplace-research/salary-guides

Telecommunications Specialist starting salary is $59k per year. I'm surprised your career adviser at ITT Tech did not know this.

This field includes certifications such as Cisco networking.

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/certifications/associate/ccna-routing-switching.html

Be careful taking out student loans to pay for ITT Tech. You don''t need to encumber a large debt just to take the Cisco CCNA exam. Some people just get certified in CCNA and bypass school altogether, thereby saving a ton of cash.

Good luck.
JG