I know the industry is not in the best state at the moment due to redundancies and AI but I've recently become interested (again) in working in IT lol. I started researching it a few years ago and did a UX/UI design bootcamp but due to a combination of the subject matter, how it was taught by that particular provider and going through bereavement at the time I couldn't concentrate on it and didn't find UX/UI very interesting.
I went off and tried my own creative business but that sector has been decimated by AI and it isn't a viable career. I also researched different trades and did some work experience as a gardener because I've been a voluntary gardener for years and I enjoy it. Unfortunately all the pro gardeners I met had to have 3 jobs to make a living wage as it's so poorly paid, on top of often being physically exhausting so I ruled it out. I also ruled out the other very physical trades because I'm in my early 40s and don't have as much energy as I used to. I'm unemployed and I need to figure out what job to do.
I like working with my hands and moving around for a job rather than sitting in front of a screen all day and I recently learnt that computer networking/network engineering is like the trade side of the IT world? I like the idea of being someone who goes around and fixes things and I'm happy with a mix of manual and screen work.
Does anyone here work in that side of IT? Maybe as a Field IT technician or Network Engineer? I've started doing the very basic modules on the Cisco networking academy website starting with computer hardware. Google Gemini is telling me to buy a cheap old computer in a charity shop and dismantle it to have a look inside, do you recommend doing that? (obviously I would not plug it in, it's more just to familiarise myself with it). It also said to look at the Cisco Packet Tracer. I'm also looking at a few free courses at my local colleges.
I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. I'm in the UK if that's relevant. I feel like I got funnelled down the traditionally female job routes where you're expected to be good at dealing with people but I'm just not good at that, I'm neurodivergent and I much prefer working quietly designing, making, building and fixing things and get very drained having to deal with lots of different people constantly. Two barriers for me are that I sometimes get migraines and also I ideally need to work part time/reduced hours because I had burn out in a previous career (teaching) and I need a decent amount of down time to not get ill again. I'm also a bit worried I'm not clever enough to learn it but it definitely interests me.