Looking for career advice

[MidLifer]

I'm hoping some people here might be able to give me some advice on computer careers. I'm in my late 30's and considering a career change from architecture into IT. I honestly don't know a lot about the IT world, but from the research I've done I feel that possible avenues of interest for me might be DIS, systems analyst, infosec, health informatics or webmaster. My main reason for switching careers is that I'm looking for a profession that has high stability and job opportunities.

Here are my questions:

1) Are there certain areas of IT that are more stable than others? And is programming the only area facing a significant threat to overseas outsourcing?

2) Would entering the field in my early 40's be a major disadvantage? Is age discrimination a problem in IT?

3) What is the best route for education and training? I'm assuming I would need a bachelor's or masters, but is there a faster route that is still respected by employers, yet still pays very well?

4) What are the pro's and con's of IT careers?

Thanks in advance to those willing to take a few minutes and offer their advice.

[jlreich]

1. Networking, such as Cisco, and security are probably the best opportunities for high paid careers.

2. Not that I am particularly aware of.

3. You can go the route of a bachelors or better in computer science or computer engineering, but there are definitely faster ways. If you are a good self learner you can get certified in just about any area of focus and get going. Also local community colleges usually have one to two year programs as well as short term certification programs designed to get you jump started, or updated, in your field of choice and are often all you need to get started.

4. Things are constantly changing, so you need to update your skill set constantly. To me this is a pro since I love IT and always enjoy learning more about it, but maybe not to others.

One definite pro is the opportunity for growth is always there. I switched careers from construction into IT in my early 30's and took a significant pay cut. I made it all back by the end of the first year or so and was making more by the second year. Now five years into it I have recently applied for another position in the company and if I get it can possibly make twice the average I was making in construction.

[Cuc Tu]

I tried to report the post above by clicking the "caution" icon...


Cuc Tu, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

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[Cuc Tu]

OK, now the post I was trying to report is gone - it was a spam post.

BTW, jlreich, I'm surprised that you made less in construction. Most of the construction guys I know make over a hundred grand a year. Not the grunts of course, and the ones that run their own licensed business make even more.