[OldDutch]

I will echo what many have said here, it will take a while to get to six figures in IT, so don't do it for the coin to start.

Getting certs will help (I guess), but honestly, you will only get help desk to start. Experience/personality is a huge factor, so if you want to scale up, you either have to work/charm your way, or do jobs on the side for next to nothing. I have done both over the last 14+ years.

Also don't run to technical roles, and discount a role such as Business Analyst or Project Manager. I got my tech experience for 7 years as an App Dev, then used that to spring into PM/BA contract work. Honestly, the hours are way less, work is easier, and the pay way better than development or infastructure roles. The key with these roles is that you need to be good with people. A lot of tech types can't be put in front of executives, so if you can speak tech talk, and speak business talk, you are set.

Despite what most hard tech guys will have you believe, solutions are built because an executive has been convinced it is in their best interests (usually by a employee, friend, or slick sales rep). Tech specs mean next to nothing, it is up to the server guys and programmers to clean up the mess and make it integrate in the end. So if you can get close to the high level business, and earn trust, you can sell anything, and let the techies work long hours to get it done.

All I am saying is this, certs are great, but everyones got em'. What do you bring to the table beyond the ability to know detailed specs and tech talk? Companies outsource this stuff to India, so what soft skills do you have that an Indian programmer doesn't?

I am trying to be honest with you, as I am privy to alot of conversations in large Oil and Gas around outsourcing. As smart as Programmers and Infastructure guys are (and I know plenty), they are seen as a commodity (exception being the very specilized). Therefore, along comes a large outfit like IBM or CGI tells them they will outsource the whole shop for half the long them cost. Suddenly that sweet job you had before, and all those certs, becomes a low pay IBM gig.

This is the way it is headed in Calgary, so don't invest at this time unless you plan to get out of the "do'er" roles and into the "planner/seller" roles in IT. Most "do'er" roles are going to go to a large consulting outfit (who will pay you nothing) or to India long term.