Some advice needed

[clintroane]

Hello people. I've worked in the computer field for around 15 years. However, I've been out of the field for around 2 years. I have no certs but am experienced in all of Microsoft Office Applications, have done some extensive database design, and programming in MS Access. I have worked as a help desk tech, and systems operator. I have also assisted in minor Unix System Operation duties. Again, I have no degree or certification but would like to get back into the IT field. What jobs are (titles) are available for me to get back into IT. I am teaching myself Java and some C. Could anyone suggest how I can get my feet back in the door with IT. I appreciate it.

[wtd]

Don't bother with Java or C. The kinds of jobs you'll get working with these languages are all about on-paper qualifications.

Think outside the box. Try some Ruby on Rails, or Python + Django, as just a couple of examples.

[jernst]

From personal experience, I would recommend any kind of web technology. Everyone needs websites and it seems alot of places are willing to hire based on portfolios (especially smaller companies) and not necessarily any formal education or certification (although that helps too).

[Mobius]

You can get into Java without qualification, like SCJP, although i got it after i got in

You can always try those RIAs like Silverlight, Adobe Flex, JAVAFX if you like graphics

[btiffin]

Virtualization is in demand. GRID computing is an up and coming technology.

If you want to volunteer; the OpenCOBOL project could use a few good hands. And COBOL is still 60% of the world's source code.

If you want to play in the MS arena, pick up .NET skills. I wouldn't follow that tact personally, but employment wise, it's a sound move imho.

If you like the management or educational streams; things like Agile Development Trainer can get you in the door of quite a few shops.

Many Open Source projects can make you fairly famous, fairly quickly, within the small communities that surround these projects at least, but the time spent can look pretty good on a resume.

Some closed source projects may offer the same if they have community involvement. (My choice is REBOL. Learn REBOL, get your name out and work will come to you, again within a small sphere).

Social networking (meeting people face to face that is) is usually the best way to find out what is available in your area, but to get a sample glimpse, systems like craigslist may give you a quick overview of what jobs are being offered locally.

But ... craigslist has nothing on meeting with actual people. In my personal experience, you gotta know the guy that knows the guy that has the job.

My two cents.
Cheers

[jbking]

I'd have a couple of different suggestions for you, depending on what you want to do:

1) Testing - Software Testers tend to be a good stepping stone where you'd be testing various applications in a few methods that aren't that difficult to read up on a few of like black box testing, white box testing, load testing, etc. This could be a stepping stone into development or other areas once you've gotten enough experience with a company's systems would be my guess.

2) Help desk/sys admin - Here instead of testing you get to help fix people's machines or set them up in some cases. Again, not necessarily heavy on the technical skills as much as the know how to find solutions for when things aren't working right and put them in.

Those would be my suggestions for ya.

JB