I've spent most of my career in hands-on trades, starting with plumbing at 14 and moving into waste management, where I've been driving garbage trucks since I was 23 (I'm now 26). I'm about to embark on a new journey into IT System Administration next semester, and I'm really excited to dive into the tech world, with hopes of eventually working in cybersecurity. While I enjoy the practical work in the trades, I am also mindful of my body and its long-term health. I'm reaching out for advice on the job market in IT, experiences others have had in this field, or suggestions for trades that could blend both worlds—I'm thinking along the lines of instrumentation, industrial work, or electrical work.
3 Answers
That's awesome! The key is to keep learning. I’m not currently in systems, but one of my teammates was a forklift driver before getting into tech. It’s all about where you want to be, so set your sights on your goals!
Congrats on your new adventure! Transitioning to IT can be rewarding. Don’t forget that there are still roles that let you work with your hands. I do a mix of desk work and hands-on tasks—some days I’m troubleshooting from my desk and others I’m installing equipment. There’s definitely a balance, so explore those opportunities as you study!
You’ve got this! Don't let the naysayers get you down. Treat this like an apprenticeship—build your own lab, learn the networking basics, and play around with virtualization software. The more you learn, the more opportunities you'll find. It takes commitment, but if you love tech and puzzles, you’ll do great!
Definitely! Setting up your own experiments is a fantastic way to learn.
This is exactly the motivation I needed! Thanks for the tips!