I would that as far as easy learning goes and easy transitions into the computer field, I would say that to become an NT administrator is the best route. Certainly not the best long term goal, but this will do things, #1 get him into a career that requires minimal study and little experience, and #2 he can always burn the hell out of the tution reimbursement program most companies offer and learn more things while pulling a decent salary.

In Atlanta, Nt Admins make about $45k-$55k.

I am an Oracle DBA with almost one year under my belt, I am in my second contract right now, still a junior level, my first contract was $42 an hour, this one is $65 an hour, and since my employers are located in Hong Kong, I get to work out of my home and telecommute in, plus they furnishe "bonus" $$$ each month as I am using my home as part office so they pick up my phone, fax, internet, and 1/3 of my electric, heating bill each month.

Even people who have done it for 10 years are still learning. It pays to know a little UNIX and NT also.

You can take training classes for about 4 months, twice a week at night and practice the rest of the time.

I've been hanging out at www.sqlcourse.com for a while and I'm already starting to see how the language works. I'm 1 million percent sure there is much more to this than what I've learned so far, but it seems, like you said, sort of easy to learn