IT work? thoughts?

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I majored in "information sciences and technology". but now I am at a loss on careers.

Every company asks for a focus area in terms of IT work. This is where I am coming up short.

I have done a modest amount of programming in various classes of mine. Problem is, I never stuck with it and whenever there was a complex problem to solve, I would look elsewhere for leadership. Also, I was bad at getting myself to class every day, so we had an SQL/PHP class that I (regretfully) didn't do well in, and I'm not sure if I should give it a second chance. I couldn't really grasp some of the concepts.

Right now I am working at a nonprofit on temporary status. This temporary status seems to be something that will last as long as they can give me things to do, which could be another 3 months, could be another 3 years. No benefits, $12/hr, and I get distracted at work easily and tend to waste time, which makes me not want to ask for a raise because I think I waste enough time browsing the net.

What sucks is that earlier I was doing troubleshooting, computer maintenance, etc., and I was doing the tasks quite well, and it actually gave me a warm feeling inside when the people I helped were overjoyed with the assistance I gave them...but in spite of that, my boss decided that I didn't "seem interested" in doing that type of work, since I was so poor with record-keeping and updating tickets, and to this day I am terrible at things like even remembering to clock in and out. Now they are having me do content development on a Drupal site (I just can't seem to get in to it) as well as some Google Ad analysis on the side (only like 20 minutes worth of check-up work every day which I happen to believe I am good at.)

Since high school I have been interested in "tinkering" with computers here and there but the fact that I decided to make it my major at Penn State was kind of a shot in the dark, and I didn't do enough "career exploring" and didn't switch majors. But, at the same time, my dad is bugging me to install a webcam on a computer for which I just can't seem to get the drivers working no matter which version I use. I lose my confidence about my future when I come across a problem like that (something that should be easy for anyone to do, not just tech-savvy people). It is embarrasing to me to think that I failed to install a freaking webcam.

The thing is, I don't spend my free time working on sandbox websites or reading technology journals. I would prefer to just browse the Internet and learn about the world and some of the issues I care about. I am also huge into role-playing games like WoW and Oblivion, and SimCity was a huge obsession of mine back in the day. I'd persevere on games, playing them over and over, and I have been frequently called out on the fact that I am repetitive like that. Played all 4 simcity games and mastered each. Throw in all those strategy games like Rise of Nations, Empire Earth, Civilization, etc. and to an onlooker, all of the games I play almost look like exactly the same thing to someone who doesn't know the difference. I will note that I have played Oblivion and have played through a few times with nearly the exact same character setup each time through, playing the same damn missions I do every time.

I would assume that a natural drive to do things like reading technology journals and PC magazine and such is a prerequisite for really being part of the field? (There was a phase in my life where I was reading PC magazine and maximum PC, but I wasn't interest in any of the networking or programming stuff; I was just into customizing computers). I am not excited about my future and the impression that I am getting that I have to be motivated and high-powered and constantly retraining myself sounds like way too much stress.

I do consider my self to have a "knack" for computers...I guess you could say "tech savvy" haha. But, I only really seem that way to non-tech-savvy people. I pale in comparison to the true geeks.

Another thing that annoys me is that I don't know how to search for "IT" related stuff on google...it always comes up with results thinking I typed in the pronoun "it". Can't ask for help by searching google. Any hints?

"Information Sciences and Technology" sounds like it might be related to "Management Information Systems" (or MIS) so you might want to Google for that.

If you want to work in computer related fields but don't want to be diving into coding / programming every day, you might want to look into working on interfacing between the business side of a company and the IT side - usually job titles related to this would be "Requirements Analyst", "Business Systems Analyst" or "Systems Analyst".

And yes, I'd encourage you to get back into PHP/mySQL - go at your own pace. These things encapsulate a lot of concepts that would be very useful to know if you want to work in IT.

Id say your primary issue is not your knowledge but your attention to bureaucratic details.

Clocking in and out, keeping reports and worktables updated, etc.

Career wise.. you already majored in it so may as well squeeze it for what its worth.

You and I have something in common from what I read.. you love fixing the things just not dealing with 'the process' the office requires you to follow. I began college taking many computer related courses .. I was going for your major. Then I worked in an IT position for a time and realized that just wasn't for me. Working in a small shop repairing PCs? AWESOME. In an office or an organization spending 80% of my time dealing with procedures and bureaucratic processes put in place by people who knew nothing about the work being done? Eff that.

I'm taking IT: Network security associates degree after I finish my major.. its enough to land me an IT job should I ever need it...and it qualifies me to repair PC's anywhere regardless

dantac: you make some good points, I have had thoughts about working in a computer services shop, there are quite a few independent shops in my area, and I already do a little bit of freelance work here and there when people ask me for it but when it comes to networking and "selling myself", I could use a little bit of help. It seems the computer store is something to check out since much of the "acquiring customers" & such is already done for you.

screwywabbit: my boss actually suggested this too, seems like I gotta just try and force myself to give it a second shot.

Just remember that you do have a major.. and it is rather wasted being a PC technician. Heck, an A+ certificate qualifies you for that. Most shops and companies would likely see your bachelor's degree as a liability since you're overqualified for such work and thus likely to move on to a better paying job in the short term.

Do give wabbit's suggestion a real effort... in the long term its better for you financially and who knows, maybe you will land the coveted spot of network manager somewhere

Argh, I feel weird to comment on this, but I must.
I work in an IT department, as an archivist, a sort of subject matter expert. I am also doing a startup right now, but I can't delve much into that right now.

Also it may be best if you learn NoSQL and Objective databases, that is the direction things are going these days anyway. Relationship databases/SQL, while a useful skill, and I think you should give it a shot have thier limitations, they don't scale very well. This is heady stuff for me too when you get into the details though. This is all backbone stuff though, and to be honest, not everybody is really meant for this. It is a useful skill though, but if your heart and talents are not in code, that does not mean you are helpless by any means.

Also don't feel bad you don't spend your free time reading tech journals or doing sandbox websites. Most programmers I know do have a life or hobbies outside of programming. Its a job, it doesn't have to be your life.

Also please realize in modern IT shops there are several different roles. Requirements Analysts, Subject Matter experts, Program and Project Managers, Infrastructure, Data analysis, Help Desk, etc.

By the way, my partner who has ADHD has problems keeping track of those little things you mentioned as well, he is a programmer.

Part of the reason you don't have a focus area is because you are new, you end up learning what you are good at by chance most of the time. People who are entry level often don't have thier bearings in general, that is what it sounds like to me. You are new and have not found what you are good at.

As somebody stated, you may want to look into a job as an Business Analyst or Requirements Analyst. Sounds like Requirements Analyst though would probably be the best fit for you. As somebody stated, having the degree makes you overqualified to be a basic technician.

(PS On a side note, my alpha-nerd boyfriend who knows more about computers and programming and has been doing it forever has issues with consumer computer items like web cams. Don't feel bad about it. )

Thanks everyone

yesec9,

Who says you need a job?

Most people own computers but they are totally ignorant about them.

There is a good living to be made in your local neighborhood getting rid of viruses or helping people to set up and use email. The average user hasn't a clue about defragging their computer or even emptying their recycle bin, let alone setting up a home network.

Print some business cards, stick fliers in letterboxes and put an ad in the local newspaper.

Go to local computer shops. They want to sell computers not deal with endless questions from customers.
They will be more than happy to give people your card to get rid of them.

Then charge $XX dollars an hour and register a business so that you can take credit cards.