There's no shortage of debates about the health of the US job market, but there are many entry-level job opportunities for people looking for a change. The service-based economy is based on performing services such as repairs or cleaning rather than manufacturing, product creation, or the focused goals of large corporations, and the tech industry is a growing part of the service industry. If you're both in search of a new career and wanting to get into tech but lack the confidence to give computers and apps a try as a career, here are a few things that could bring you to the tech side.

Entry-Level IT Jobs Are Like Training Wheels

Entry level has always been defined as a low-skill pursuit for people just starting out, and the Information Technology (IT) world isn't very different from other fields in this regard. Although it's based on using technology that many people may be uncomfortable with controlling at a deeper level, if you're able to get to this article and read it, you're fairly close and can be trained.

Some positions require self-study, but if you're at least familiar with computers, these fields bring in uncertified but organized employees.

Computer Technical Support. A good starting point for any person going into any field of IT. This covers everything from removing viruses to changing settings in Internet browsers and walking people through installing or uninstalling software.

Web design. Do you love art and enjoy creating great imagery? If your art alone isn't selling, creating art that functions with websites and learning about the programming code in the background can change you from a starving artist to an artist engineer without compromising your artistic endeavors. Of course, a little more time will go to work than just art!

Programming. Programming is writing the code that makes every program or app in the computer and mobile-device world work. If your idea of art or invention is more about creating digital solutions to problems, this is your path.

Networking. Are you the person who connects speakers, video-game consoles, televisions, and anything else with cables together? Networking is the IT version of your job and just adds a bit of typing to tell every device what to do.

What About the Pay?

Entry-level pay isn't always great, and there's no single pay rate for every single discipline in the IT industry. That said, set your eyes on two main goals: growing into a better-paying career and not being unemployed.

If you don't have a job and aren't receiving unemployment benefits, the IT industry is a great way to get back into working without being in a dead-end career. It's about the career, not the employer, so remember that even if your entry-level employer isn't paying great raises or promoting people to new jobs, the skill set you're learning is preparing you for better jobs in the IT industry.

As you work in your IT entry-level job, look for better paying and more fulfilling career options to give you something to shoot for. Many IT jobs reimburse certifications or college credits and are in favor of their workers becoming more qualified in their career path. Especially in the case of work-from-home technical support or help desk jobs, it's known that IT employees are growing into a career and can either help internally or go to work for a client—which can result in a business connection for your boss at your entry-level job.

Contact an employment-office representative to discuss your plans for IT industry entry-level positions, or a higher position if you already have some skills.