Advice on getting into IT without a degree (hexbear.net)

submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I was going to a Community College but then I got told to kick sand for fiananical aid and... now Im not able to go to school anymore :/ (long story there made short, tried everything I could but nothing worked out)

I've been working on getting some coursera certificates and studying for the CompTIA certificate but I'm wondering if I'm even going to have a shot at landing a job without a degree to help me out.

I know about Windows Server Management (worked a shit ton with VMs in classes) daily drive Linux, do some real amateur game development on the side on my own so I know how to code, not great but I have experience there. Any advice on how to give myself a better shot?

Should mention that I do live in a big ass blue state city if thats helpful, and I am trans-fem but I seem to pass well enough to not get misgendered but still a little weary about putting myself out there >_>

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[-] [email protected] 10 points 1 month ago

I've said this a number of times, but it's about who you know. Social Engineering. Find a job you want, find the people who can get you that job, and then do what's necessary to get yourself into their circle. Sometimes that's showing up to your local LUG, sometimes it's taking up paintball because some senior IT head posts pics of himself at the local range every weekend.

Do your research.
Adorn yourself in a manner that makes you look like one of their people.
Stalk those motherfuckers.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Absolutely. I've always done some sort of IT work but mostly by chance and by who I knew. I got a job in high school doing IT for a local photo studio that took my senior picture because it was right time right place. I got my first good job because my sister's neighbor was a huge nerd and we hit it off when I moved in with her, and he taught me all about TCP/IP and then got me a job at the ISP he worked at. From there I was able to get other jobs and have been doing fine without a degree. But really, timing, persistence, and networking are key.

this post was submitted on 14 May 2025

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