Start over at the age of 48

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I have worked in the IT field for 10 year. I had move to Dallas tx I was working for computer company they move there IT business oversea. I was not a help camper. Now I am working in retail. I need to get back in to the IT again I looked at MCDST track. I have looked at the job market it looking good. My backgroud was ccna and Windows 3.1 up to windows xp and 2000 server. I have two book on MCDST self paced for 70-271 and 70-272. So my question is? At my age of 48 is it better to work on my own or it better to work for a IT company what is the pay for both services?

 

I dont know how it works in the US be in the UK we have things such as local Chambers of Commerce who will give you much advice on how to run your business within the local laws and pass you to specialist accountants and so on, and indeed will advertise your business to other chamber members.

The one thing I would say is that while your skillset is very legacy, there will still be companies out there using older OS's so you may be lucky in getting a clientelle and advertising yourself in this respect, then that could be an advantage over the young 20 something start ups who think nothing should be used other than XP/2003/Vista.

Other than that obviously your financial situation needs to be taken into consideration as if you have bills to pay, debts, mortgage etc, then starting a business is a risk.

 

tjank you

 

ocpjames,

One question you can ask yourself is which sector of IT, or to speak geeky, which OSI model layer(s) do you enjoy working in/with?

 

All 7 OSI model layer(s) why do you ask?
CCIE?

 

ocpjames,

You are being advised to ask yourself that question because there's a lot of people out there that also are probably willing to "do anything" in your words "...All 7 OSI model layer(s)." So are you saying that you're currently proficient in:

1. Application Layer
   1. Developing
   2. Programming
   3. Microsoft Office Suites
   4. OpenOffice Suite
   5. All Antivirus programs
   6. All Anti-malware programs
   7. All graphical programs
   8. All database programs
   9. All third-party program types not previously listed
2. Presentation Layer
   1. .HTML
   2. .PDF
   3. .DOC and .DOCX
   4. Other file types and formats not listed
3. Session Layer
   1. Microsoft client and server operating systems
   2. Unix operating system
   3. Linux operating systems
   4. Other operating systems
4. Transport Layer
   1. TCP
   2. UDP
   3. SPX
   4. RTMP
   5. Other Transport Layer protocols
5. Network Layer
   1. IP
   2. ICMP
   3. IPX
   4. Other Network Layer protocols
6. Data Link Layer
   1. 10Gigabit/Gigabit/Fast/Ethernet
   2. Serial
   3. Wireless 802.11
   4. Token Ring
   5. Other Data Link layer protocols
7. Physical Layer
   1. 802.3
   2. 568A
   3. 568B.1
   4. 568B.2
   5. 568B.3
   6. 570A
   7. 802.11a/b/g/n
   8. Other Physical layer protocols

As you can see, "...All 7 OSI model layer(s)..." can be rather broad so the reason for my question was to help guide you towards your re-entry point into IT. Once you decide on your re-entry point, then decide what training, education, and certifications are appropriate for the given OSI layer. I want to be crystal clear that I am not trying to diminish your past experience but trying to help you on your path to "catching up" to current day IT.

Another option for the training and education factor is to find a local community college that has a Computer/Networking degree program where you can both learn and earn college credits towards a degree as well. Also, in order to help you decide if you want to work for yourself, look into the Business Administration and/or Accounting degree programs at the community college as well. At worst, you'll learn how the business side of a company works so that you can try to come up with appropriate IT technical solutions to the business problem. Am I helping you with this post?

 

yes why?