I’m currently a line cook, considering making the switch, but I’m a little confused about where to start. A local community college offers some certs that seem promising.
I have a little relevant background, a minor in comp sci, but that was some years ago (trying to relearn some of the material in my spare time now).
Minor in comp-sci will probably do the trick. Pretty common pathway in the US is to get with a contract agency and then have the client buy out the contract if they like you. If they don’t buy it out, then you have the relevant job experience to get your foot in the door at most places.
You can go for certs. Everybody hates them, but I can honestly say that having an A+ and Net+ cert definitely did not hurt my career. It’s worthwhile to study for certs too, even if you don’t get them. Just mentioning that I was looking into getting my CCNA helped (and knowing a bit from the study material is useful on it’s own).
I would recommend self study for the CompTIA tests. If you really put your nose to the grindstone, you can probably bust them out in a week or two.