Hey everyone! I’m looking for advice on how to break into the IT field and which positions I should be targeting based on my background.
My professional experience is primarily in school administration, but I worked at a relatively new school where I ended up taking on a variety of technical responsibilities. Over time, I became the primary person handling day-to-day support and administration for our student information system (PowerSchool) and point-of-sale system (MealTime).
My experience includes managing user accounts and access, troubleshooting system issues, assisting staff and families with technical problems, maintaining data accuracy, running reports and exports, and managing student information and attendance data. I also worked with an external technical consultant when issues required more advanced support.
While I haven’t held a formal IT job title, I gained a lot of hands-on experience managing these systems and supporting the people who relied on them. I’m comfortable learning new software, troubleshooting problems, and figuring things out independently.
I’m interested in transitioning into IT, but I’m unsure which direction would make the most sense. I’ve considered help desk, technical support, application support, and system administration, but I’d appreciate some honest advice on where my experience would be most valuable. I also have a BA in psychology.
For those already working in IT:
• What entry-level positions would you recommend I apply for?
• Would my experience with PowerSchool, MealTime, user accounts, and troubleshooting be enough to help me land a technical support role?
• Are there certifications worth pursuing, such as CompTIA A+, or would hands-on experience be more valuable at this stage?
• Is there a realistic path toward application administration or systems administration without starting completely from scratch?
I’m hoping to find a career path with room for growth and better long-term earning potential. I’d appreciate any advice, personal experiences, or recommendations on where to start. Thanks!